Second Day

Hanukkah Quizzes
by David P. Rosenberg, Senior Reference Librarian – Collections, Center for Jewish History

Above image: Children pull strings at Center to retell story of Hanukah, circa 1940. National Jewish Welfare Board Records. c/o American Jewish Historical Society

As you can see from this c. 1940 photograph from the National Jewish Welfare Board Records, Hanukah quizzes were historically (and continue to be) part of the educational efforts during organized social functions around the holiday. The quiz question discussed here is adapted from the November – December 1944 AZA program guide.

Aleph Zadik Aleph is an international, youth-led fraternal organization for Jewish teenagers. It was founded in 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, and it quickly spread to other Midwestern communities. It was formally affiliated with B’nai B’rith soon after its creation and continues today. The organization formed because Jews were not admitted to other Greek fraternities. It has many similar characteristics, including a logo, pin, password, song and cheer.

In the program guide there is a Chanukah baseball quiz game with questions and a corresponding number of bases for correct answers. In this instance the etymology of Maccabee is worth “2 bases.” It explains that it is not only derived from the Hebrew word Makav, but also is an abbreviation for Mi Komocha Bo’elim Adonoi (Who is like unto thee among the mighty O Lord) and Matisyohy Kohen Ben Yochanan, meaning Mattathias the Priest, the son of Jochanan. The answer given also explains the tradition that it is inscribed on the shield of Judas, the son of Mattathias.

This program guide was also found in the National Jewish Welfare Board Records.