The Jewish holiday of lights is known as Hanukkah (sometimes written Chanukah), and it lasts for eight days. According to the Jewish calendar, the festival of Hanukkah starts on the evening of the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts for eight days. The festival of Hanukkah is celebrated annually to remember the miraculous recovery of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Even though it gets all the attention, Hanukkah is not Judaism’s most significant religious celebration. Instead, because of its secular significance and its close closeness to Christmas, it is observed as a festival commemorating the faith and legacy of the Jewish people. There are eight nights during the Festival of Lights, and the following are some methods that seniors who are participating in the festival can fill those evenings with celebrations and joy in your senior living services.
Dreidel
The game of dreidel is considered to be the most traditional Hanukkah game. Spin the top, and depending on where it lands, you either win or lose a portion of the prize money (often in the form of pennies or chocolate coins). Make your own handcrafted dreidels out of clay to add a more unique and personal touch to the celebration.
Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt
After indulging in a feast of latkes, get those muscles going again with a scavenger hunt that requires the seniors to search either within or outside the community. Create a holiday-themed variation of the game by compiling a list of items that adhere to a particular theme, such as all things blue, anything that glows, or everything that starts with the letter “H” for Hanukkah.
The (Blue and) White Elephant
Just for laughs, give the age-old white elephant gift exchange a Hanukkah makeover by renaming it the Hanukkah White Elephant Gift Exchange. Everyone participates in this game by bringing a present that has been wrapped, and guests take turns either uncovering a present that has not yet been revealed to them or opting to steal one that another player has already opened and read the contents of. This game can be played according to any rules you choose because there are so many different permutations. Be warned that this game can grow intensely competitive and frequently noisy.
Hanukkah Memory Game
In addition to helping toddler seniors develop skills like focus and attention to detail, this game also encourages them to take turns and socialize with their peers, making it ideal for a classroom setting. You simply need to print off sheets on paper or card stock with Hanukkah-themed graphics such as dreidels, gelt, and menorahs, and then cut out the pieces.
Hanukkah Dominoes
Play a matching game with a Jewish twist using these set of dominoes, which each feature an image associated with the festival of Hanukkah. Seniors can practice their matching skills by arranging a row of dominoes end to end, while learning about the significance of the holiday’s unique symbols and traditions.
Hanukkah Cookie Decoration
In preparation for this game, bake a large batch of sugar cookies using the basic recipe. It doesn’t matter if the dough is homemade or store-bought; what matters most are the toppings. Put out a variety of icings, candies, and stencils, as well as other cookie decorating tools and supplies, and present a challenge to every member of the group to decorate a cookie using their most creative approach.
