Chanukah As Seen Through the Eyes of 6th Graders at the Ramaz Lower School in New York City

The Magic Candles - by Anna Propp, age 11
One Chanukah night, after my family and I lit the candles, the smoke of the candles started to bother me. My name is Yael. I have a sister, Rachel. We were playing dreidel when all of a sudden the room started to glow. We looked at each other and then slowly walked around the room. Suddenly, I heard a voice near my ear. I called my sister over to me.
When Rachel came over, I told her about the voice that I had heard. Then we looked at the candles. We saw the shamash for my menorah. It seemed to be glowing brighter than all the other candles. The shamash said, "Hello!" We did not know what to say. "What are your names?" He questioned. Rachel asked, "Did you hear what I heard?" "Yes" I said.
After I told him our names, he told us his name was David. He told us the story of Chanukah. Then my friend Anna came over and the four of us played dreidel. Well, we played until Mac, the dreidel, got dizzy, but that's a whole other story!

The Story of Chanukah - by Marta Herschkopf, age 10
A long time ago the Greeks led by Alexander the Great, their king, were trying to take over the world. They were very good fighters and were succeeding so far. They defeated Persia, who was ruling the land of Israel and then marched off to the Jews' holy land.
When they reached Jerusalem, they put it under Grecian rule. The Jews weren't sure if they wanted to become Greek. So the Greeks put up an idol and commanded the Jews to bow to it. Then a man named Matityaho spoke up and cried, "All Jews who wish to obey Hashim follow me!"
He was joined by his sons and other Jews. They gathered weapons and fled for the mountains. There they kept the Sabbath and all of the Torah's commandments.
Meanwhile the Greeks had taken over Israel. They had gone to the Holy Temple and placed a huge idol inside. Then they overturned tables and altars and knocked down the golden Menorah. Indeed, the temple was destroyed.
Then they descended upon the Jews in the hills. They were led by Matitayo's oldest son Judah. These Jews got the name Maccabbees, which means "hammers," in Hebrew because they fought with the power of hammers.
The real miracle of Chanukah was that even though there were so many Greeks, and so few Maccabees, the Maccabees won and chased the Greeks out of Jerusalem.
The first thing they did was they went to the temple and lit the Menorah. But they found only enough oil for one day. But the oil lasted for eight days which is the best known miracle of Chanukah.

My Family Chanukah Party - by Sarah Edelsburg, age 10
Every year, my mom, dad, brother and I have a big party in the middle of Chanukah. But this is not an ordinary party. It's a Chanukah party with Chanukah decorations, latkes, jelly donuts and presents for everyone. We only invite relatives. This party is so much fun!! It's usually at night. I get to make the invitations by hand. That's a lot of fun too. Two hours before the party will start, my mom starts setting up. We usually buy Chanukah tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and signs. My Mom pulls out the table so there is more space to put the food. The food is set up like a buffet. You're supposed to take what you want to eat. Mom puts the tablecloth on and starts taking out plates, cups, silverware and napkins. While she does that, my brother and I get dressed for the party. When we come out there are more chairs in the living room and little bowls with potato chips, M&Ms, and nuts in them. The decorations are up. Our cameras are out. Soon the guest will arrive.
The guest arrive!!! The party starts. First we light the menorah as everyone gathers around and we sing a Chanukah song or two with everybody. Then mom takes out the food. Everyone piles around the table to get food. We all sit together talking as we eat. We all walk around and talk to every single person. I usually have so much to say. We eat for a long time. Many get up for seconds of latkes and apple sauce. After that mom brings out a delicious chocolate cake. It always tastes great!! After that we open presents. Everyone gives something to each other. My brother and I usually make our presents by hand. There would always be a smile on everybody's face because we all give great presents. After that we eat some more dessert and everybody for while looks at their gifts. My brother and I start playing with our presents. Soon people have to leave Soon everyone is gone. We pile all our presents in our rooms, then we quickly go to bed. My Chanukah party is my favorite party of the year. It's so much fun!!!

What Chanukah Means to Me - by Jonathan, age 10
Chanukah to me is not the presents or the games but it's all the love that fills the room when we sing the songs, light the candles and say the blessings that are needed for the wonderful, special holiday.
Whenever Chanukah comes my whole family gets joyful. Sometimes my mom and dad cry with happiness. After my family and I finish the ceremonial part of the holiday, my sister and I go for our presents. Even though it's not the presents that make me happy inside and out, I am still happy to have received them.
Sometimes my grandparents come for a day or two for the holiday. My sister and I both love our grandparents very much with all our heart and soul.
After Chanukah ends, my family and I go back to our regular lives, but I know deep down inside my whole family wishes it was still Chanukah!