Adding Light the Chanukah Way

Chanukah is not just a holiday we remember, it is a message we live. It is the story of the few defeating the many, the weak overcoming the strong, and the Jewish people standing firm in their faith. It is also the story of the oil that should have lasted one day, but burned for eight. In the darkest time of the year, we do not wait for the darkness to pass. We answer it by adding light, one night at a time.

At Jewish Online School, our students truly embraced this idea. Throughout Chanukah, they added light through Torah learning, creativity, mitzvot, and a whole lot of joy.

Our Pre-1A students celebrated Chanukah with hands-on creativity by spinning dreidels dipped in paint to create beautiful Chanukah artwork. The excitement was contagious, and the activity brought the miracle of Chanukah to life in a way our youngest students could truly experience.

Our boys’ classes were busy bringing Chanukah to life in creative ways. One class created a Chanukah-themed Gimkit skit that combined teamwork, learning, and humor. Another boys’ class recorded a Chanukah song, filling our school with music and simcha.

Level 8 students celebrated Chanukah in a delicious way by making donuts. One student even made gluten-free donuts so that everyone could take part. This thoughtful act reflected the true spirit of Chanukah, making sure every Jew is included in the celebration.

In our General Studies middle school girls’ classes, students wrote Chanukah poems in the shape of a menorah. This activity combined strong writing skills with a deep connection to the meaning of the chag, resulting in beautiful and meaningful work.

Our after-school classes also came together for Chanukah parties, strengthening friendships and building Jewish community. A highlight of the chag was our school-wide Chanukah play, where students from across the school joined together to share the story and messages of Chanukah. We also held a school-wide menorah contest, showcasing creativity and pride in mitzvot, with each entry adding even more light to our school.

Chanukah teaches us that a small flame can push away a great deal of darkness. This year, our students showed exactly how that is done. Through Torah, mitzvot, creativity, and simcha, they filled Jewish Online School with light that continues to shine.

Chag Chanukah Sameach from all of us at Jewish Online School.