Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Hanukkah Candle Lighting and Warning to Houthi Rebels

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit the first candle of Hanukkah in Jerusalem and warned Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem after it was liberated from Syrian-Greek control. Israel has retaliated against the rebels and is planning a larger counterattack.

Pope Francis's Christmas Message and Holiday Events Around the World

Pope Francis delivers Christmas message urging people to find courage and peace, highlighting conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Hanukkah coincides with Christmas, sparking interfaith gatherings. Soldiers in eastern Ukraine spend Christmas at war, hoping for peace. New York City experiences first white Christmas since 2009. German celebrations marred by car attack at Christmas market. Elderly Christian couple in Gaza Strip marked Christmas in a squalid tent camp, separated from family.

Christmas and Hanukkah Coinciding

Christmas Day and the first night of Hanukkah will coincide, a rare joint occurrence due to differences in the solar and lunar calendars. The last 'Chrismukkah' was in 2005, and the next one will be in 19 years. In Israel, joint celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah have taken place, fostering unity among different religious groups.

Holiday Food Traditions: Hanukkah and Christmas Celebrations

Jamie Geller shares her recipe for making sufganiyot, a jelly doughnut-like treat, as families prepare to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day in 2024. Culinary director Erica Holland-Toll combines holiday traditions with a mix of foods. Holland-Toll's grandmother's latke recipe is shared.

Controversy over Hanukkah Menorah Display in Lake Forest, Illinois

Controversy in Lake Forest, Illinois as city limits Hanukkah menorah display to a few hours instead of the full eight days. A Change.org petition has been signed by over 6,500 people demanding the display for the full holiday duration.