The Jewish holiday of Chanukah – the Festival of Lights – is celebrated over the course of eight nights. In a series of radio vignettes called The Eight Nights of Chanukah, Naomi Lewin of Classics for Kids tells the stories, and talks about the customs of the holiday, including the Chanukah miracle, lighting the menorah, traditional foods, and why Chanukah is so hard to spell.  Each of The Eight Nights of Chanukah also contains music for the holiday.

Program Schedule

Night 1: The Chanukah Miracle (3:38)

MUSIC: “Maoz Tsur” performed by Zamir Chorale

Night 2: Judah Maccabee (3:47)

MUSIC: G.F. Handel: Judas Maccabaeus: “See, the conqu'ring hero comes" performed by

Choir of New College, Oxford and the King’s Consort

Night 3: Lighting the Menorah (3:44)

MUSIC: “Hanerot Halalu” performed by Boston Children's Chorus

Night 4: Chanukah Food (3:20 )

MUSIC: “Ocho Kandelikas” performed by Flory Jagoda

Night 5: When Does Chanukah Fall? (3:16)

MUSIC: “Maoz Tsur” and “Chanukah” performed by Rachel Van Voorhees

 Night 6: Chanukah Traditions (2:46)

MUSIC: “S'vivon, Sov, Sov, Sov” performed by Margie Rosenthal and Ilene Safyan

 Night 7: Playing Dreidel 3:40

MUSIC: “Mi Yimalel” performed by Margie Rosenthal and Ilene Safyan 

Night 8: How to Spell Chanukah (3:40)

MUSIC: Chanukah Suite performed by Eaken Piano Trio