In 19th century Jerusalem there was a custom on Chanukah that the children walked through the alleys singing, and people would give them oil, flour, garlic, and onions. These were used to make a feast on the last day of the holiday, which was held at the Yochanan Ben-Zakkai Synagogue. All the Jews of the Old City gathered, led by the Rishon L’Zion (Sephardic Head Rabbi), read aloud Solomon’s Song of Songs, and prayed for rain.

Jews of Damascus also had a great communal feast on the last day of Chanukah. Children wore costumes and paraded through the streets, similar to Purim.

In Kurdistan, children made a large doll of wood stuffed with rags, adorned with a long beard and a pipe in the mouth, holding a candle. The doll was called “Chanukah”, and was paraded through the streets, while the children received presents from onlookers.

Jewish children in Europe were let out of school early and given coins, Chanukah “gelt”, to help them rejoice and celebrate the holiday. This may have been to reduce their jealousy of the Christian children who received presents for Christmas.

Women of the Jewish communities of Afghanistan prepared for the Chanukah candles special wicks made of cotton. This work was reserved only for the women, for according to tradition Devorah the Prophetess prepared the wicks that were lit in the Menorah of the Tabernacle. Women abstained from all work on the evenings of Chanukah, just as on the New Moon.