Every year, the United States Postal Service dedicates a new Hanukkah stamp to honor the holiday celebrated by Jewish people around the world.
Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah spans eight days and nights, originating from the struggle for religious liberty and human rights among Jewish individuals everywhere.
Today, the 2024 stamp design was unveiled at a dedication ceremony at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
“This stamp, with its festive Hanukkah candles, warm our hearts and their intimate glow rekindles the family bonds that comfort and sustain us throughout the year. It also reminds us — as Americans — that we are joined in our diversity,” said Michael Gordon, the Postal Service’s government liaison director.
He added, “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.”
Gordon also served as the dedicating official of the stamp and was joined by the museum’s executive director, Bea Gurwitz; the museum’s incoming board chairman, Chris Wolf; and the stamp’s art director, Antonio Alcalá.
“The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum is honored to be part of the 2024 Hanukkah stamp unveiling ceremony,” said Gurwitz.
“The museum tells the story of a community that is decidedly local but has a national impact, seeking to inspire all who visit to take action on behalf of their community values, and this stamp ceremony fits perfectly with that mission. Thank you to the U.S. Postal Service for creating this impressive stamp.”
At the ceremony, the officials shared the origin story of Hanukkah and explained its significance.
Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for “dedication,” and refers to the miracle experienced by the Maccabees, a small army of Jewish warriors, who fought for religious freedom in ancient times.
Though Jews were persecuted by oppressive laws, the Maccabees revolted and prevailed against the emperor Antiochus IV. Tradition shares that when they reclaimed their Temple in Jerusalem, Jews discovered that only one small jar of oil remained — only enough to provide one day of light.
But when they lit the Temple menorah, it miraculously burned for eight days. The miracle of this oil — and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people — is celebrated during Hanukkah, marked by a ceremonial lighting of the menorah.
This tradition is depicted on the stamp.
“Designing the 2024 Hanukkah stamp is an honor and privilege,” said Alcalá.
“The imperfect ink-drawn lines of the artwork are to lend a human presence to the image. The flames are shown, but the candles themselves are not present. They’re implied, and to me, that alludes to an aspect of faith that’s both tied to this ceremony and to the larger religious experience.”
The Hanukkah stamps are issued as a pane of 20 Forever stamps and are now available for purchase online, via mail, or at USPS locations nationwide for $14.60.
In 2024, Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25.
Header image courtesy of Robert Couse-Baker
