Jewish Online School Celebrates Chanukah

What do plastic spoons, tin foil and Beats headphones have to do with Chanukah?

When you think of Chanukah, you might picture Mivtzoim, grand menorah lightings, or delicious donuts. However, this isn’t the reality for everyone. For children living on army bases or in small towns without any Jewish infrastructure, Chanukah can feel like just another weekday. That was, until the Nigri Jewish Online School.

This Chanukah, Nigri Jewish Online School illuminated homes worldwide with the Yom Tov’s warmth and joy. Across our five dynamic departments—Day School, After School, Hebrew School, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lessons, and Private Tutoring—students and families united in meaningful activities that captured the Yom Tov’s spirit.

In the Day School, Pre-1A girls transformed household containers into beautifully decorated Chanukah candle holders, showcasing their creativity. Younger classes crafted chocolate-covered marshmallow dreidels, practiced kriah with the Chanukah brachot, and explored the customs of menorah lighting. High School girls gathered for a Chanukah challah and babka baking session, blending culinary arts with Yom Tov spirit.

The Boys’ Division brought the story of the Chashmonaim to life through crafts and engaged in Chanukah trivia games like “True or False” and “Babble-on.” Level 6 students staged a Chanukah play complete with costumes and vibrant backgrounds, allowing each child to shine in a starring role. Check it out here!

In our General Studies classes, students embraced inventive STEM challenges inspired by Chanukah. Tasks such as balancing a dreidel on a spoon or crafting Chanukah items from foil encouraged resourcefulness, innovation, and problem-solving skills. These activities imparted valuable lessons in creativity and perseverance, echoing the broader themes of Chanukah—overcoming challenges and bringing light into darkness.

Our After School program added an extra layer of excitement, fostering a sense of camaraderie as students collaborated to share the Yom Tov’s joy. These celebrations featured engaging review games, hands-on crafts, and activities that deepened their connection to the Yom Tov.

One of the most heartwarming highlights came from our Private Tutoring program, where Ivy, a student from Japan, and her teacher in England worked together on a special Chanukah project. As Ivy designed a beautiful pop-up card, the two sang Chanukah songs, showing how the light of Chanukah can bring joy and connection across great distances.

Interactive games, such as Chanukah-themed Kahoot challenges and STEM activities, were enjoyed by all, reinforcing the lessons of the Yom Tov in engaging ways. Whether singing Maoz Tzur, playing dreidel, or baking together, students and their families embraced the essence of Chanukah—spreading light and joy even in the darkest times.

To further the excitement, Nigri Jewish Online School is hosting a Chanukah giveaway on Instagram! We’re offering a Beats Solar 4 Headset—perfect for students or parents alike. With a 50-hour battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, and spatial audio support, it’s a gift you won’t want to miss.

Enter here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD7i92KyqzR/

Chanukah, derived from the Hebrew word chinuch (education), is a time to rededicate ourselves to learning and growth. At Nigri Jewish Online School, we are committed to providing a meaningful and inspiring learning experience, offering the keys to lifelong Jewish studies. Our mission is to ensure that every Jewish child has access to quality education, regardless of where they live.

The Nigri International Jewish Online School is a project of the Shluchim Office.