Hanukkah 2022 Stamps

2022 Hanukkah

Honors the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: October 20, 2022
First Day City: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20

History the stamp represents: One of the most well-known songs associated with Hanukkah is “I Have a Little Dreidel” also known as “The Dreidel Song” or “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” (There’s also a Yiddish version called “Ikh Bin A Kleyner Dreydl.”). It is a song many people are familiar with, regardless of whether or not they celebrate Hanukkah.

The English version of “I Have a Little Dreidel” was written in 1927 with lyrics by Samuel S. Grossman and music by Samuel E. Goldfarb. In the Yiddish version, the singer refers to themselves as the dreidel, while the English version talks about the dreidel being made out of clay.

Dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game in which each player spins the four-sided top and wins or loses depending on which symbol lands facing up: nun (nothing), gimel whole), hei (half), or shin (put in). Each player begins with the same number of pieces (10-15), which can be money, chocolate gelt, or any other small object. Each player starts by putting one piece in the center, also called the “pot.” Then, everyone gets a turn spinning the dreidel. When a player runs out of pieces, they are out of the game or can ask another player to loan them some pieces. It’s a game that brings together players of all ages with a little fun competition.