Hanukkah, Hellenization, and Hasmoneans
In this video, the history of Chanukah is examined from its beginnings: politics, wars, sacrifices, and victories.
About
This video discusses the historical context for Hanukkah, including the foreign forces who governed Israel, and the Jewish leaders' response to their oppressive rule. The Maccabees, wars, cultural and political aftermath are all examined in this comprehensive Chanukah video.
The video comes with a 5-part educational guide (includes REVIEW, DISCUSSION, ACTIVITIES, REFLECTION, FURTHER LEARNING) that can be viewed online and/or downloaded as a PDF, along with a Kahoot game.
It is also part of a series titled The Jewish Story Explained
Between the reign of Alexander the Great and the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty, Jewish leaders are forced to make historic sacrifices for their religious freedom and authority. Under Greek influence and oppression, these heroes stand up for their Jewish values to the point of death, and people like Matityahu and Yehudah Hamaccabi, and Hannah and her seven sons, are memorialized for centuries afterwards. Many wars are fought and conflicts abound even within the community– but the Jewish people persevere, fighting for their religious and political freedom.
Use the video and prompts to foster discussion, empathy, and meaning.
Discover more
A curated collection of diverse Chanukah resources for your students' holiday learning.
Reflect on the bravery of the Maccabees in their fight for religious freedom and sovereignty over Israel
Join Melina as she spins through the holiday of lights!
Use counting Hanukkah candles to practice cardinal and ordinal numbers.
A beautifully illustrated learning guide about Hanukkah and its themes