Did you know Chanukah is celebrated differently in some communities around the world? We check out some global traditions.
While the central traditions of Chanukah such as lighting the menorah and remembering the miracle of the oil remain the same across Jewish communities, the festival takes on wonderfully different expressions around the world. Over time, Jewish communities in every corner of the globe have woven their own flavours, songs, foods, and customs into the celebration.
Mexico
In Mexico, Chanukah is known as Janucá or Lucenarias, meaning ‘the feast of lights.’ The holiday blends Jewish and Mexican culture in unique ways. Children play a traditional game called toma todo (winner takes all), which resembles a dreidel but uses a six-sided top called a pirinola. Each side instructs the player to take or give pieces from the pot, and the excitement builds as children shout and laugh over the spinning toy. Adding a festive local twist, Mexican Jewish families sometimes celebrate by breaking open a dreidel-shaped piñata filled with sweets and small trinkets. When the piñata bursts, the scramble for chocolate coins and treats brings an explosion of joy – turning the miracle of light into a celebration of abundance and community.
Morocco
In Morocco, the joy of Chanukah extends beyond the usual eight nights with a unique celebration known as ‘the day of the shamash,’ a ninth day dedicated to the helper candle of the menorah. Children collect leftover candles from neighbours’ homes, and these are gathered to create a giant bonfire in the centre of the community. Families sing, dance, and leap around the flames, and some even jump directly over the fire in the belief that it brings good luck. This tradition takes on an added layer of meaning for single women, who hope that leaping across the flames might bless them with marriage, and for those struggling to conceive, who see the ritual as a prayer for fertility.
India
In India, Chanukah celebrations carry their own distinct character, shaped by local flavours and traditions. For centuries, the Indian Jewish communities – such as the Bene Israel and Cochin Jews – saw the festival as a reminder of miracles and as a reflection of India itself, which served as a refuge for Jews escaping persecution elsewhere. Instead of wax candles, Indian Jews dip wicks in fragrant coconut oil, producing a soft, glowing light. The festive table is also different; rather than traditional latkes, families prepare batata bhaji, a spiced onion-and-potato fritter, alongside barfi, a rich milk-based sweet flavoured with fruits or nuts. These foods carry the taste of India while honouring the universal festival spirit.
North Africa
Across some parts of North Africa, Chanukah takes on a deeply meaningful dimension on the seventh night with Chag HaBanot, or ‘Festival of the Daughters.’ This special evening celebrates Jewish women, drawing inspiration from heroines of the past. Hannah, who sacrificed her seven sons rather than renounce her faith, and Judith, who used her wit and courage to defeat an enemy general, are remembered and honoured. Families gather to tell these stories, and young girls receive blessings and gifts in recognition of their role in carrying Jewish tradition forward. This celebration underscores the power of women in Jewish history and keeps alive tales of bravery and devotion.
