![\"Hanukkah](\"http:\/\/about.usps.com\/news\/national-releases\/2016\/images\/pr16_087.png\")
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BOCA RATON, FL<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2014 The U.S. Postal Service\u2019s new\u00a0<\/span>Hanukkah Forever stamp<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u2014 available nationwide today \u2014 features a warm, elegant illustration of a holiday menorah in the window of a home. The eight nights and days of Hanukkah begin on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a date that falls in late November or December. In 2016, Hanukkah begins at sundown Dec. 24.<\/p>\n The first-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony took place at the\u00a0<\/span>Temple Beth El of Boca Raton<\/em><\/a>. The public is asked to share the news of the stamp using the hashtag\u00a0<\/span>#HanukkahStamps.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe Hanukkahstamp we\u2019re dedicating today honors a religious observance that is more than 2,000 years old \u2014 and how appropriate that the word itself \u2014 Hanukkah \u2014 means \u2018dedication\u2019 in Hebrew,\u201d said U.S. Postal Service Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President\u00a0<\/span>David Williams<\/em><\/a>. \u201cThis beautiful stamp depicts a warm, elegant illustration of a holiday menorah in the window of a home. The white window trim is visible through the branches of the menorah, which echo a tangle of snow-covered tree branches beyond the glass. Artist\u00a0<\/span>William Low<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>added visual interest to the scene by highlighting the contrast between the hot candle flames and the cool snow, the vertical candles and the horizontal window frame, and the dark menorah with the brightly lit candles. Starting today, this beautiful image of remembrance, light and love will travel on letters and packages to millions of households and businesses throughout America and around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Low, of Huntington, NY, worked under art director\u00a0<\/span>Ethel Kessler<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>of Bethesda, MD, who designed the stamp.<\/p>\n Joining Williams in dedicating the stamp were Temple Beth El of Boca Raton Rabbi\u00a0<\/span>Jessica Brockman<\/em><\/a>, Senior Rabbi\u00a0<\/span>Dan Levin<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and Rabbi\u00a0<\/span>Greg Weisman<\/em><\/a>. U.S. Postal Service South Florida District Manager Jeffery Taylor served as master of ceremonies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are deeply honored to host the Postal Service in unveiling this year’s Chanukah stamp,\u201d said Levin. \u201cThe holiday of Chanukah is a celebration of the triumph of the spirit over oppression so deeply reflected in the story of America. All of us in the Jewish community are proud to see our heritage woven into the philatelic tradition of America.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanukkah is a transliteration or change of letters of the Hebrew word as written in the Roman alphabet. There are various spellings, though the most widely used in the United States are Hanukkah and Chanukah.<\/p>\n The Tradition<\/strong> The miracle of the oil is at the heart of the ritual of the lighting of the\u00a0<\/span>hanukiah\u00a0<\/span><\/em>a menorah \u2014 candelabra \u2014 with nine branches, eight that hold candles representing each of the eight nights and days of Hanukkah, and the ninth, the\u00a0<\/span>shamash<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>or \u201cservant,\u201d used to light the other candles. The\u00a0<\/span>hanukiah<\/em>, used only at Hanukkah, traditionally was placed for all to see at the entrance of the home. At times in history when it was not safe for Jewish families to make a public declaration of faith, the menorah was set instead in a prominent place inside the home. Today in the U.S., many families have renewed the tradition of displaying the menorah in windows during the holiday.<\/p>\n Hanukkah is a time for gatherings of family and friends with feasting, games and other activities. Foods like latkes \u2014 potato pancakes \u2014 and\u00a0<\/span>sufganiyot\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\u2014 deep-fried doughnuts \u2014 are traditional. After the lighting of the candles, there may be singing and a gift exchange. Children play a game called dreidel. Competing for a pot of chocolate coins, nuts, pennies or other prizes, each player takes turns spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top with letters on each side. The letters form an acronym for the Hebrew saying \u201cA great miracle happened there,\u201d referring to the miracle of the oil. Depending on the outcome of the dreidel\u2019s spin, the player either takes from or gives to the pot. The game ends when one player has won all the treats.<\/p>\n Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.<\/p>\n Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks<\/strong> Hanukkah Stamp After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by Jan. 1, 2017.<\/p>\n Ordering First-Day Covers<\/strong> U.S. Postal Service
\nHanukkah is the Hebrew word for \u201cdedication.\u201d Tradition relates how a miracle took place during the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by conquering armies. The sacramental oil, thought to be enough for only one day, burned for eight days.<\/p>\n
\nCustomers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website at\u00a0<\/span>usps.com?shop<\/em><\/a>,<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:<\/p>\n
\nStamp Fulfillment Services
\nCancellation Services
\n8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
\nKansas City, MO 64144-9998<\/p>\n
\nThe Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/em>USA Philatelic\u201d<\/em>catalog, online at\u00a0<\/span>usps.com?shop<\/em><\/a>,<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:<\/p>\n
\nCatalog Request
\nPO Box 219014
\nKansas City, MO 64121-9014<\/p>\n