Stay safe this Hanukkah and protect your loved ones

Community, Democracy and Local Affairs, Health and Social Care, Religion and Spiritual

This year the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, will be celebrated differently by families across Buckinghamshire as new local tier restrictions are in place to help control the virus.

Hanukkah (or Chanukah), which will take place between Thursday 10 and Thursday 17 December, is largely a home festival however families may be tempted to gather together. Buckinghamshire Council would like to remind those marking Hanukkah to make sure any celebrations follow the current Tier 2 guidelines.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, Cllr Gareth Williams, said: “I’d like to say thank you in advance to all those who will be marking Hanukkah this year for doing so responsibly and respectfully, while following Buckinghamshire’s Tier 2 restrictions. While typical celebrations may not be the same, we hope residents are able to enjoy Hanukkah at home, or virtually with friends, family and other members of their community.

“I know this is a difficult situation, but you’re most likely to catch the virus from someone you know. Together, we must continue to do everything we can to keep this virus under control and remember these three simple steps – wash hands, cover face, make space.”

Fun and safe ways to enjoy Hanukkah from home

  • Light your Chanukiah every night at home whilst virtually connecting with family via Zoom, Google, FaceTime, WhatsApp or Skype.
  • Share your celebration of the miracle of Chanukah by putting Chanukah decorations of candles in your window for all to see.
  • Join Rabbi Neil Janes and Bucks County Museum for a FREE live webinar on 15 December at 7pm. Learn the meaning of Hanukkah, watch the lighting of the candles and find out about some of the objects in the Museum’s collections.
  • Make and enjoy special foods and delicious treats such as latkes, doughnuts or bunuelos.
  • Play a virtual game of dreidel with friends.
  • Donate to your local foodbank.

The South Bucks Jewish Community will be doing a Virtual Chanukah Trail each night of Chanukah (10 – 17 December, 6pm), hosted by different members. Find out more by visiting the South Bucks Jewish Community website.

Buckinghamshire Council has developed a flyer advising communities who wish to mark Hanukkah, how they can do so safely. Should you wish to request this to share within your community or with family and friends, please contact the Communications Team by email at: communications@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

If anyone experiences symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, they must stay at home and book a test through GOV.UK: get a coronavirus test or call 119. Anyone they live with should isolate as well. Symptoms include a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell. Local test centres are now available in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Find out more about the guidance on how to stay safe and protect Bucks.