Hanukkah gelt
In its own language: חנוכה געלט / דמי חנוכה
Chocolate coins or money given as gifts during Hanukkah
Hanukkah gelt is a gift of money or chocolate coins given during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, mainly to children and sometimes teachers. Chocolate gelt, wrapped in gold or silver foil, became popular in the 20th century as a festive treat and is often used while playing the dreidel game.
- Chocolate gelt is wrapped in gold or silver foil to look like coins
- The tradition began with giving real money to children and teachers
- Chocolate coins became popular in the 20th century
- Gelt is often used while playing the dreidel game
- In Hasidic communities, Rebbes give coins as blessings
What is Hanukkah gelt?
Hanukkah gelt refers to gifts of money or chocolate coins given during Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. The chocolate coins are wrapped in shiny gold or silver foil and often come in mesh pouches that look like money bags. The coins are usually made of milk or dark chocolate and are given mainly to children, sometimes to teachers. The chocolate version is now a common treat, especially in the United States and Israel.
Where does Hanukkah gelt come from?
The custom of giving Hanukkah gelt began in Eastern Europe, with Polish Jews in the 17th century giving money to children to pass on to their teachers. Over time, children began to keep the money for themselves, and the practice spread to teenagers and students. Some legends link the tradition to the Maccabees' victory and the minting of coins to celebrate Jewish freedom. In the 20th century, chocolate manufacturers in the United States started producing coin-shaped chocolates as a playful substitute or addition to real money gifts.
How is Hanukkah gelt made?
Chocolate gelt is made by molding chocolate into coin shapes, then wrapping each piece in gold or silver foil. The coins are often packaged in mesh bags to resemble small sacks of money. While early versions were made by American companies, today much of the chocolate gelt sold in the United States is imported from Dutch and Israeli producers. Gourmet varieties are also available, using higher-quality chocolate.
How and when is Hanukkah gelt eaten?
Hanukkah gelt is given and eaten during the eight days of Hanukkah. Children often receive the coins as gifts from parents, grandparents, or relatives. Chocolate gelt is also used as tokens while playing dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah spinning top game. In Hasidic communities, religious leaders may hand out small coins as blessings. The coins are usually eaten as a sweet snack during the holiday.
Kinds of Hanukkah gelt
While the original Hanukkah gelt was actual money, chocolate coins have become the most common form in recent times. Most chocolate gelt is mass-produced, but some companies now offer gourmet versions with premium chocolate. The coins may differ in size, chocolate type, and packaging, but the gold or silver foil and coin shape remain standard.
What Hanukkah gelt means
Hanukkah gelt is a cherished part of Hanukkah celebrations, symbolizing both generosity and the miracle of the holiday. The tradition is especially strong among Jewish families in Israel and the United States. In Hasidic communities, receiving a coin from a Rebbe is considered a special blessing. The Bank of Israel has even issued commemorative coins for Hanukkah, echoing the ancient Maccabean coins.
When Hanukkah gelt is on the table
Questions people ask about Hanukkah gelt
What is Hanukkah gelt made of?
Modern Hanukkah gelt is usually made of chocolate, molded into coin shapes and wrapped in gold or silver foil. The original tradition involved giving actual money as gifts.
Where does Hanukkah gelt come from?
The custom started among Polish Jews in the 17th century and later spread to other Jewish communities. Chocolate gelt was first produced in the United States in the 20th century.
When is Hanukkah gelt given?
Hanukkah gelt is given during the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah, often as a gift to children and sometimes teachers.
How is Hanukkah gelt used?
Children receive gelt as gifts and often use chocolate coins as tokens while playing the dreidel game, a traditional Hanukkah activity.
Is Hanukkah gelt always chocolate?
No, the original Hanukkah gelt was real money. Chocolate coins became popular in the 20th century and are now the most common form.
Good reading and sources
- Hanukkah gelt on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hanukkah gelt", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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