261. In the story of Hanukkah, a tiny amount of oil was able to keep the candles lit for eight whole days. Imagine you had something last a lot longer than you thought it would. What would it be and how might it last so long?
262. Popular foods on Chanukah included fried potato pancakes called latkes and friend donuts called sufganiyot. Why do you think the Jews eat so many fried foods during the holiday? Would you enjoy that part of the Hanukkah menu or would you rather have healthier fare?
263. Imagine you received gifts for eight straight nights instead of one. Would you rather have the biggest gifts first or toward the end of the holiday? Why?
264. The Hebrew letters on the side of the dreidel, the four-sided spinning top, mean "A great miracle happened there." Have you ever witnessed something you'd call a miracle? If so, what was it and how did it affect you? If not, imagine you saw something miraculous and write about why it impressed you.
265. Chanukah is also known as the festival of lights in part because of all the beautiful candle holders known as menorahs. Describe a richly decorated menorah filled with eight lighted candles. Make sure to detail how you feel about the design and the brightly shining lights.
266. Dreidel is a simple game that often uses chocolate coins called gelt instead of real money. How would the world be different if all money was made out of chocolate? Why might it be a tough society to live in?
267. The story of Chanukah starts with a local King banning the religion of Judaism and destroying the Jewish holy temple. How would you feel if a powerful person tore down a building you deeply cared about? Why do you think the King was so mean?
268. One tradition of Chanukah and all year round is for people to give money and time to charity, which is called Tzedakah in Hebrew. What charity would you most want to support and why?
269. Create a conversation between the two candles on the Hanukkah menorah. What might the two of them have to talk about? Are they scared at all about being lit? Why or why not?
270. Imagine that you and your friends have decided to go to a Chanukah party and a Christmas party on the same night. What might be some of the differences between the two? Why do you think both holidays are important?
Use the above prompts or article as inspiration to write a story or other short piece.
