18 Questions to Spark Jewish Connection at Your Hanukkah Table
Hanukkah is a reminder of our responsibility to keep the flame of Judaism alive for future generations. At the Jewish Future Promise, we believe that meaningful conversations are a powerful way to connect to our heritage and inspire young Jews to embrace their role in our shared story. This Hanukkah or at your next Jewish holiday, use these 18 thought-provoking questions to spark dialogue about family history, Jewish identity, and the future of our people:
Family and Jewish Heritage Questions
1. Do you know the story of how your parents or grandparents met?
2. How has Hanukkah been celebrated differently in your family across generations?
3. Do you know what your Hebrew name means and who you were named after?
4. What is a story of resilience or courage from your family’s history that inspires you?
5. Do you know how your family’s background shaped its Jewish traditions?
6. If you could meet one Jewish ancestor, who would it be and what would you ask them?
7. What is your earliest memory of lighting the menorah?
Jewish Identity and Traditions Questions
8. What is a Jewish value you learned from your family, and how do you live it today?
9. What makes you proud to be Jewish?
10. Who is a Jewish celebrity or public figure that inspires you, and why?
11. What is your favorite Jewish tradition, and what makes it special to you?
12. What lessons from the Hanukkah story resonate most with you?
13. Which Hanukkah candle (out of the eight) feels most symbolic to you, and why?
Inspiring the Future Questions
14. If you could create a new family tradition for Hanukkah, what would it be?
15. How can we ensure the light of Judaism continues to shine brightly for future generations?
16. What is one way you think our family could deepen its Jewish connection today?
17. What does the concept of “miracles” mean to you today, and how do you see them in Jewish life?
18. If you could pass one piece of advice about being Jewish to the next generation, what would it be?
