Jewish families prepare for start of Hanukkah tonight

Jewish families around the suburbs are preparing for the first night of Hanukkah tonight.

The eight-day holiday is celebrated with dreidel games, gifts, lighting candles in the menorah and eating potato pancakes or latkes.

Children at Torah Academy in Buffalo Grove spent Monday making their own menorahs and other crafts to celebrate the holiday.

Although Hanukkah is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays because of its proximity to Christmas, it is not the most religiously significant on the Hebrew calendar.