MADISON, Wis. — The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began Thursday night.

What You Need To Know

  • The first night of Hanukkah was Thursday

  • Families will light one candle on their menorah for each of the eight days

  • Madison's Jewish organizations are holding celebrations throughout the week

  • Community leaders said they want to focus on the joy of the season this year, in light of the Israel-Hamas War

Known as the Festival of Lights, Jewish people around the world will celebrate for eight days with friends and family.

Mushkie Matusof was busy preparing for celebrations on Thursday. She filled hundreds of jelly donuts in preparation for the many Hanukkah celebrations she had planned over the next week.

“We eat fried food on Hanukkah, the donuts and the latkes, because we’re celebrating the miracle of the oil,” Matusof said.

Matusof is co-director of Young Jewish Professionals, part of Madison’s Chabad organization. The group will hold their celebrations over the weekend.

“Celebrating outside is so important because we want to spread the light of Hanukkah everywhere,” Matusof said.

Behind all of those celebrations will be thoughts of the Israel-Hamas War. Matusof said it makes her think of the story of Hanukkah even more.

“The story of Hanukkah is all about how the Greek army tried to make the Jews not celebrate their Judaism,” she said.

She said she doesn’t want to focus on fear this year, and instead focus on the joy of the season.

“The message of Hanukkah is so relevant and so important and we’re going to go out louder and prouder,” Matusof said. “We’re going to gather in huge numbers. We’re not going to cower in fear.”

She said they’ll still celebrate the holiday, keeping those who are suffering in mind.

“We’re going to give charity before we light the menorah,” Matusof said. “We’re going to pray for everyone that’s suffering. We’re going to pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel. But the message and the way we’re going to celebrate is with extra joy and extra happiness.”

Matusof said she wants the community to join in alongside them, even if they’re not Jewish. There will be extra security at their events for those who are nervous, but Matusof said she hopes fear doesn’t deter anyone from coming out to celebrate.

“Another one of the very important messages of Hanukkah that applies to everybody, Jews and non-Jews alike, is that every day we should add another good deed,” she said. “If today you did one good deed, tomorrow do two good deeds, and every day add a little more light.”

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