Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Womack and I'm really excited to be working with you today.

I just have a feeling that we're going to do brilliantly.

Today's lesson comes from the unit Jews.

How does remembering maintain Jewish identity? Our lesson is called Hanukkah and Jewish identity today.

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe how traditions associated with Hanukkah support Jewish identity.

Here are the keywords that we will use throughout the lesson.

The first one is hanukkiah, a candlestick with nine branches used at Hanukkah.

The second is dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Latke, a type of potato pancake or a fritter that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah.

And finally, gelt, money given as presents during the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah.

We will revisit these keywords as we go through today's learning.

Here's the outline of the lesson.

In the first part of the lesson, we're going to explore how is Hanukkah celebrated today.

In the second part, we're going to look at how does Hanukkah support Jewish identity.

(mouse clicks) We're going to start with how is Hanukkah celebrated today.

(mouse clicks) At Hanukkah, Jewish families light a special menorah candle called a hanukkiah.

A hanukkiah has eight branches, one for each night of Hanukkah, plus the shamash or helper candle in the middle.

The shamash candle is usually used to light all the other candles.

So let's check our understanding with a quick question.

What is a hanukkiah? Is it A, a seven-branched menorah? B, an eight-branched menorah? Or C, a nine-branched menorah? Pause the video while you think which one of these is the correct answer.

The answer is C.

A hanukkiah is a nine-branched menorah.

Well done if you got that one right.

Here's Victoria.

Victoria has a Jewish worldview.

She attends an Orthodox synagogue, Victoria says," On Hanukkah, we remember the story of the miracle of the oil.

We sing songs to help us to remember the story.

We light our hanukkiah every evening.

We start by lighting the shamash candle in the middle and add an extra candle each night to remember the oil that lasted for eight nights." Here's Sherri.

Sherry has a secular Jewish worldview.

She doesn't believe in God and does not usually attend synagogue.

Sherri says, "In my family, we have three hanukkiahs.

I have one that has been passed down to me by my grandma.

It is very old, but it reminds me of her and I love to light it.

We light all our hanukkiahs at Hanukkah.

It looks beautiful when all the candles are lit." This is Mahsa.

Mahsa has a Jewish worldview.

She attends a Sephardi synagogue.

She says, "We have one hanukkiah for the whole family.

My dad lights one candle in turn each evening.

Our tradition is to light the central ninth candle on the hanukkiah on the last day.

We gather as a family to share a meal after the candles are lit." (mouse clicks) So Victoria, Sherri, and Mahsa all have a hanukkiah.

What's similar and different about the way that they use them? Pause the video while you have a think about the different ways that they all use their hanukkiahs.

So it's time to check our understanding with a quick question.

Which of these statements accurately reflects what we have learned about Jewish celebrations of Hanukkah? Is it A, all Jews have a hanukkiah.

B, Victoria, Sherri and Mahsa have a hanukkiah which they light over Hanukkah.

Or C, not every Jew has a hanukkiah.

Pause the video while you think.

Which one of these is the correct answer? (mouse clicks) The answer is B.

Victoria, Sherri and Mahsa have a hanukkiah which they light over Hanukkah.

Well done if you got the right answer.

Traditionally, many Jews eat latkes during Hanukkah.

Latkes are a type of fried potato pancake.

(mouse clicks) Many Jews also enjoy doughnuts.

Eating food fried in oil is a way of remembering the miracle of the oil in the temple at the time of Judah Maccabee.

Well, that looks like a very tasty latke, doesn't it? So let's check our understanding with a true or false question.

Jews eat fried food at Hanukkah.

Is that true or false and why? Pause the video while you think if the answer is true or false.

The answer is true.

Jews eat food fried in oil to remember the miracle of the oil in the Hanukkah story.

Well done if you got the right answer.

Here's Daniel.

Daniel has a Jewish worldview.

He attends a Progressive synagogue.

Daniel says, "My favourite part of Hanukkah is the traditional foods associated with the festival.

We eat fried food like doughnuts and latkes.

My family history goes back to Poland so we love latkes.

Latkes are so delicious.

I always end up eating too many." Here's Mahsa.

Mahsa has a Sephardi Jewish worldview.

Mahsa says, "Our Hanukkah meal is a delicious celebration of traditional food.

Lots of the food is fried in oil to remind us of the miracle of the oil.

We have doughnuts and latkas, of course, but also deep fried cheese balls and leek fritters.

My dad likes to be reminded of Hanukkah meals from when he was growing up in Iran.

Daniel and Mahsa both eat fried foods at Hanukkah.

What is similar and different about what they eat? Pause the video while you have a think about what is similar and different about what they eat.

So let's check our understanding with a quick true or false question.

All Jews eat the same food at Hanukkah.

Is the answer true or false and why? Pause the video while you think what might be the correct answer? The answer is false.

Many Jews eat food such as latkes and doughnuts.

Some Jews, like Mahsa, may other fried food depending on their cultural background or family history.

Well done if you chose the right answer.

There are other traditions associated with Hanukkah.

Daniel says, "My children get a small bag of chocolate coins each evening after we light the hanukkiahs together.

We call the chocolate coins gelt.

We eat the chocolate and talk about how we can put our real money to good use in our lives.

Gelt reminds us to use our money honestly to give to charity and live a wholesome life." So let's try another question.

What is gelt? Is it A, fried potato cakes eaten at Hanukkah.

B, chocolate or real coins given at Hanukkah.

C, a nine-branched menorah used at Hanukkah or D, presents given at Hanukkah.

Pause the video while you think which one of these is the right answer.

The answer is B.

Gelt is chocolate or real coins given at Hanukkah.

Well done if you selected the right answer.

Here's Michael.

Michael has a secular Jewish worldview.

His family did not attend synagogue.

Michael says, "My gran buys little presents for all her grandchildren instead of giving us gelt.

The gifts are small, but it is really fun to open one each day and see what she has given us.

She wants us to carry on these Hanukkah traditions.

Here's Mahsa again.

Mahsa has some Sephardi traditions at Hanukkah.

Mahsa says, "My family does not give gifts at Hanukkah.

The important thing is to eat together and tell the story of Hanukkah while we enjoy the candlelight.

The most special part for me is being able to spend time eating and talking together for eight in a row.

That's a gift in itself." Spending time with your family really is a gift.

I agree with Mahsa on that one.

Michael, Daniel and Marsa have traditions about gelt and presents at Hanukkah.

What is similar and different about their traditions? Pause the video while you think what is similar and different about Michael, Daniel and Mahsa's traditions.

Time for another question.

Why does some Jews like Daniel give gelt at Hanukkah? Is it A, to remind them to use money honestly to live a good life.

B, to remember the oil in the temple, or C, because chocolate tastes nice.

Pause the video and think which one of these is the correct answer.

The answer is A, to remind them to use money honestly to live a good life.

Well done if that's the answer that you selected.

Now it's time for a task.

Laura is thinking about how Hanukkah is celebrated today.

She says, "I think Hanukkah is celebrated the same way by all Jews.

All Jews will light a hanukkiah and eat fried foods." Do you agree with Laura? Use the case studies to explain your ideas.

You'll want to pause the video now whilst you spend time completing this task.

Well done for completing that task.

I wonder what you put.

You might have said, "Many Jews light a hanukkiah.

Some Jews light a candle each evening for eight nights.

However, Mahsa lit the final candle on the ninth night.

Many Jews eat fried foods such as latkes and doughnuts.

However, Mahsa ate other fried foods such as leek fritters.

Some Jews give gifts on each night of Hanukkah.

Others give gelt, which could be real money or chocolate coins." Well done on putting some real effort into completing that task.

So we've completed the first part of our lesson today about how is Hanukkah celebrated today.

Now we're moving on to the second part.

How does Hanukkah support Jewish identity? The story of the Maccabees has been retold for many years.

Jews remember how Judah Maccabee and his friends maintained their Jewish practises and rededicated the temple.

The traditions associated with Hanukkah continue to reinforce Jewish identity today.

Sherri explains her secular Jewish worldview.

She says, "My Jewish identity always feels strongest at Hanukkah.

I am pleased to continue traditions that have been passed down to me.

Many of my friends are preparing for Christmas at the same time.

That time of year reminds me that my identity is different because I am not celebrating Christmas." Here's Victoria.

Victoria explains her Orthodox Jewish worldview.

Victoria says, "Jewish festivals are very important to my Jewish identity.

I have been brought up to follow the traditions and sing the songs.

These have shaped how I understand the world.

Now that I am an adult, I find deeper meanings in the stories and practises each year." She continues, "The Maccabees lit the temple menorah, knowing there was only enough oil for one day.

In the end, the oil lasted eight days, but they would not have known that if they had given up and not bothered trying to light the menorah.

Time for a true or false question.

Hanukkah is like a Jewish celebration of Christmas.

Pause the video and think, is this true or false and why? The answer is false.

There is no connection between Hanukkah and Christmas, even though they take place at about the same time.

Hanukkah is about freedom from oppression.

Well done if you got that one right.

The story of Hanukkah reminds Jews of a time when they needed to hide their identity and practise their religion in secret.

Hanukkah traditions are aware of keeping the story alive for current and future generations of Jews.

A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side.

The dreidel is used to play a game during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

And you can see some examples of dreidels on the screen now.

Time for a quick question to check our understanding.

What is a dreidel? Is it A, a four-sided spinning top.

B, chocolate coins given as a present or C, fried food eaten at Hanukkah.

Pause the video and think which is the correct answer.

The answer is A, a dreidel is a four-sided spinning top.

Well done if you got that right.

Here's Rafi.

Rafi talks about his Orthodox Jewish traditions.

Rafi says, "As with many Jewish festivals, there is a serious meaning behind the traditions of Hanukkah.

For example, the four Hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for a great miracle happened there." Rafi continues, "When we play the dreidel game, the letters remind us of the miracle of the oil.

The dreidel game makes me think of times in the past when Jews had to stand up for their beliefs.

It gives me strength to feel proud of my Jewish identity." Here's Daniel again.

Daniel explains his Progressive Jewish worldview.

Daniel says, "When Antiochus desecrated the Temple by forcing Jews to worship statues of Greek gods, some Jews did as he said.

They did not have enough knowledge about their religious beliefs.

This is why it is so important to teach the next generation about Jewish faith and practise." Daniel continues, "By repeating Jewish stories and traditions all through childhood, we create memories to be passed down the generations.

When we play the dreidel game or light the hanukkiah, it gives us an opportunity to talk with our family about our Jewish identity.

So time for a question to check our understanding.

Which of these is not a reason for playing the dreidel game? Is the answer A, it allows Jewish families to have fun together.

B, it reminds Jews of the miracle of the oil.

C, it helps Jews to pray and reflect on God's peace.

Or D, it is a tradition that supports Jewish identity.

Pause the video while you think which of these is not a reason for playing the dreidel game.

The answer is C.

The reason that is not a reason for playing the dreidel game is it helps Jews to pray and reflect on God's peace.

Well done if you spotted the right answer.

Time for a task.

Laura and Jacob are wondering how Hanukkah supports Jewish identity.

Laura says, "Hanukkah is an important celebration for Jews.

I think it is mainly religious Jews that celebrate it because they say blessings and light candles as part of their Jewish identity." Jacob says, "No, it is not only religious Jews that celebrate Hanukkah.

Secular Jews support their Jewish identity by following some Hanukkah traditions.

Do you agree with Laura or Jacob? Explain your ideas.

Pause the video whilst you complete this task.

Well done for completing that task.

You might have said, Laura is correct to say that Hanukkah is an important celebration.

However, it is not just religious Jews that celebrate it.

Jewish festivals support the identity of all Jews, not just those who attend the synagogue.

Secular Jews might celebrate by eating symbolic food such as latkes or playing dreidel.

Many secular and religious Jews support their Jewish identity by continuing traditions that have been passed down to them from parents and grandparents, such as lighting a hanukkiah.

Well done for completing that task.

Well, we've reached the end of our lesson, so let's summarise the learning from today.

We've learned that Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the hanukkiah each night.

There are many different Jewish traditions.

Special food, fried in oil may be eaten such as doughnuts and latkes.

The food reminds Jews of the miracle of the oil.

Games such as dreidel are played and songs may be sung.

Gifts or money are given on each night.

The money is called gelt and it might be real money or made of chocolate.

Well done for working so hard in today's lesson.

I've really enjoyed learning with you and I look forward to working with you again soon.

Bye for now.