From the USPS July 28th:
This new stamp celebrates the joyous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The stamp art’s colorful digital illustration shows the lighting of the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah on the last evening of the holiday. All eight of the Hanukkah candles have been lit, and the child is reaching up to replace the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others in the menorah. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Jing Jing Tsong.
This stamp will be issued Tuesday, October 6, with a first-day city of New Rochelle, NY. New information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top. Hanukkah in 2020 begins the evening of December 10th and ends at sundown on December 18th.
Updated December 5th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5530.
Updated September 29th:
Virtual ceremony for this issue.
[press release]
New Stamp Celebrates Hanukkah
WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service announces a new stamp dedicated to the festive Jewish holiday Hanukkah.
Families come together each year to celebrate Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights. In 2020, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Dec. 10.
News of the stamp is being shared with hashtag #HanukkahStamps.
WHO: USPS Controller and Vice President Cara Greene
Union for Reform Judaism Senior Vice President Emeritus Rabbi Lennard Thal
Artist Jing Jing Tsong
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at 11 a.m. EDT
WHERE:
A virtual stamp dedication ceremony for the Hanukkah stamp will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Please visit usps.com/hanukkah for details of the event.
BACKGROUND:
The stamp art’s colorful digital illustration shows the lighting of the hanukiah on the last evening of Hanukkah. Artist Jing Jing Tsong chose her colors intentionally to evoke Hanukkah traditions as seen through the eyes of children.
The darker blue colors in the background symbolize winter, while the brightly colored flaming candles reflect the spirit and warmth of sharing the holiday traditions.
The Hanukkah stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in a pane of 20. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Pre-orders for the Hanukkah stamp can be placed online at usps.com and by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
