In Yemen, Argentina and Israel: How Children Celebrated Hanukah in the Past

The KKL-JNF archive reveals photographs that show children celebrating Hanukah in the early years of the country's independence: children of Jewish families from Yemen who came to Israel, children celebrating in Argentina, and of course – children born in Israel, all lighting candles.

Efrat Sini, Manager of the KKL-JNF Photo Archive: "We can see how 70 and 50 years ago, Israeli and Jewish diaspora children have celebrated Hanukah as children do today – lighting candles and wearing paper crowns. The KKL-JNF Photo archive is happy to share several heartwarming pictures from the Hanukah celebrations in the early days of Israeli independence and in the Jewish diaspora. Since its foundation 120 years ago, the KKL-JNF photographers have been accompanying Jewish communities in Israel and abroad. The documentary treasures are kept in the KKL-JNF Photo Archive.

Celebrating Hanukah in a Jerusalem Kindergarten, 7/12/1969. Photograph: Photo Aviv, KKL-JNF Photo ArchiveCelebrating Hanukah in a Jerusalem Kindergarten, 7/12/1969. Photograph: Photo Aviv, KKL-JNF Photo Archive

 

Children of Jewish families that came from Yemen light Hanukah candles in their house in Luzim (now a part of the town of Even Sapir), 1950. Photograph: Werner Brown, KKL-JNF Photo Archive.Children of Jewish families that came from Yemen light Hanukah candles in their house in Luzim (now a part of the town of Even Sapir), 1950. Photograph: Werner Brown, KKL-JNF Photo Archive.


Hanukah celebrations at a Jerusalem kindergarten. Photograph: Photo Aviv, 7/12/1969, KKL-JNF Photo Archive.Hanukah celebrations at a Jerusalem kindergarten. Photograph: Photo Aviv, 7/12/1969, KKL-JNF Photo Archive.


Hanukah in Argentina, 10/12/1958. Photograph: KKL-JNF Photographers.Hanukah in Argentina, 10/12/1958. Photograph: KKL-JNF Photographers.

 

Hanukah celebrations at a Haifa Kindergarten, 1955. Photograph: Photo Aviv, KKL-JNF Photo ArchiveHanukah celebrations at a Haifa Kindergarten, 1955. Photograph: Photo Aviv, KKL-JNF Photo Archive