Jewish people do not celebrate Christmas because it is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus. For Jewish people, the holiday season is centered around Hanukkah, a festival of lights that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah story is about the Maccabean revolt against the Greek-Syrian Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Jewish Temple after it was desecrated by the Greeks. Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights, with each night consisting of the lighting of one candle on a menorah and the eating of fried foods.