Hanukkah 2022 Forever Stamp
Reason for Issuing the Stamp:
The stamp was released to honor Hanukkah, a significant Jewish festival.
Stamp Design Description:
The design features hand-dyed, appliqu??d, and quilted fiber art, creating an abstract representation of a menorah, the nine-branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah. The artwork was crafted by Jeanette Kuvin Oren.
First Day City:
The First Day of Issue Ceremony took place at Temple Emanu El in Orange Village, Ohio.
Historical Context:
A notable song associated with Hanukkah is ??I Have a Little Dreidel,?? also known as ??The Dreidel Song?? or ??Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.?? There is also a Yiddish version titled ??Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl.?? This song is widely recognized, even by those who do not celebrate Hanukkah.
The English version of ??I Have a Little Dreidel?? was penned in 1927 with lyrics by Samuel S. Grossman and music by Samuel E. Goldfarb. In the Yiddish rendition, the singer identifies as the dreidel, whereas the English version describes the dreidel as being made of clay.
Dreidel Game:
The dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game where players spin a four-sided top to win or lose based on which symbol faces up: nun (nothing), gimel (whole), hei (half), or shin (put in). Each player starts with an equal number of pieces (10-15), which can be money, chocolate gelt, or other small objects. All players place one piece in the center, known as the ??pot,?? and then take turns spinning the dreidel. When a player runs out of pieces, they are either out of the game or can borrow pieces from another player. This game brings together participants of all ages for a bit of friendly competition.
