The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, or Chanukah -- the Festival of Lights -- is underway. It began at sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 25 and will continue into the beginning of 2025. On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one ...

When does Hanukkah start this year? And what's the correct way to light a menorah? Here are answers to some of the key questions people usually ask about Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, perhaps the only Jewish holiday that has been confirmed by the archaeological record, celebrates the singular, millennialong relationship between Jews and the land of Israel. It is the story of a civil and cultural struggle for sovereignty over its institutions. It is perhaps the most explicitly Zionist story in the Jewish tradition.

The start of the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, falls on the same day as Christmas this year, and the occurrence is rare.

The first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is underway. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit from the eight candle menorah and there is a story behind this. The holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the victory over the Syrian Greeks and the light of the menorah that burned for eight days with just a little bit of oil.

The first night of Hanukkah coincided with Christmas Day for the first time since 2005. This marked a special occasion for Jewish communities all around the world. In downtown Alpharetta, dozens of people gathered Wednesday to light the first candle of the eight-day holiday.

While the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah often falls at varying points during November and December, this year's festival of lights begins a bit later - and it comes with a calendar rarity.