Two Children’s Music Videos Celebrate Hanukkah Traditions From Around The World

This post is written by the talented singer and award-winning multicultural musician “DARIA-” Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou. Thank you so much for sharing these great music videos with us!

All over the globe, people of the Jewish faith are preparing to celebrate the festival of lights. This year, Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah, Chanukkah or Chanuka) begins at sundown on December 8 and ends on December 16. Although foods, traditions and music vary slightly from place to place and country to country, these two kids Hanukkah music videos share some of the joy and fun that is a universal part of this winter holiday.

Play the Dreydl (Dreidel) Game

This song is known and loved all over the world. It tells about the little spinning top and the game that is played with it. The name – dreydl or dreidel– comes from a Yiddish word (dreyen) that means to spin.  And what happens when you spin?  Well, you start with a pile of goodies. They can be candies, walnuts, treats or special chocolate coins called Hanukkah Gelt (literally, Hanukkah money). Then your dreidel lands and it shows off one of it’s sides.   Each side or face has a Hebrew letter and together they create a message. Loosely translated, the letters say: “There (meaning it happened in Israel) Happened A Great Miracle!”

If you watch this video, you’ll see exactly what each letter means and how they tell you to either pass your turn, put a treat in the center, take half the pot, or win the whole pile of goodies!

Ocho Candelikas – A Hanukkah Song from Spain

How do people celebrate Hanukkah in Spain?  Just like their friends and relatives from around the planet, they gather with loved ones, give gifts and make some of the most delicious foods and sweets.  And they count “Ocho Candelikas” – eight little candles as they light the menorah.

In this song you can see families gathering and special treats made with honey and almonds. The chorus counts “eight little candles for me.” The language is Ladino – a mixture of Hebrew and Spanish, but the numbers will sound very familiar to you if you speak Spanish:: one – una, two – dos, three – tres, four – kuatro, five – sintju, six – sysh, seven – sieto, eight – ocho.

Watch the video and you can count along, too!

Would you like to explore more diverse Hanukkah celebrations? The book Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels, takes you all over the world and shows holiday celebrations in India, Africa, South America, Canada and Asia.

Or perhaps you’d like to celebrate with crafts?  Hanukkah For Children is a great resource from the website “Boy Mama, Teacher Mama,” with lots of easy activities to explore and enjoy Hanukkah traditions, including fun games such as a dreidel hunt and directions for making an edible menorah with marshmallows, icing, and pretzels!

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or just want to learn more about it – here’s hoping your holiday season is as much fun as a spinning top and as bright as the lights on a menorah!

Thank you so much Daria!! Do you celebrate Chanukkah?