Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, has come and gone. Hanukkah is a special time for the Jewish community, bringing them together for the high holidays. As such, Marriotts Ridge students reflect on the past and look forward to a brighter future.
This holiday is often celebrated within families through a variety of activities, including traditions that families have practiced for generations.
“We eat dinner together on the first night and get Chinese food or sushi,” said senior Laura Himmel.
There is a wide variety of cuisine choices for holidays in Jewish culture, and Hanukkah is no exception. Family dinners are often an essential element of the holiday.
“We invite other friends to join in on our traditions. We have them light the menorah and participate in the festivities with us,” explains senior Ashley Dabbah.
Including others in Hannukah activities can add an exciting element to the holiday. Newcomers experience the joy of spinning a dreidel, eating gelt and lighting the menorah. The people who join Ashley are her close friends, and they love to celebrate the holiday with her. They have celebrated with friends for the last two years. Rachel Harper, senior and president of the Celebrating Jewish Culture Club at Marriotts Ridge, lights the candles on the second night of Hanukkah in the Dabbah household. They were creating long-lasting memories for both families in this festive time.
One of the most enjoyable Hanukkah traditions is that of gift-giving, which has been widely adopted internationally over the last century, allowing family members and friends to show appreciation for each other. MRHS students reflect on this fun tradition.
“My favorite gift is a cruise to the Bahamas for the upcoming summer,” said Himmel.
Experiences are often some of the best gifts that someone can receive. These gifts will extend the warmth and happiness of Hanukkah through later in the year.
“My favorite gift so far this year is probably just a $40 gift card for REI,” said junior Harrison Miller.
Miller is an avid climber who will use this money to pursue his rock climbing passion.
Families also partake in various other Hanukkah traditions, some widespread, some unique to particular families.
“Seeing my family for these eight nights is very special to me. I get to see my extended family this one time every year,” stated sophomore Noah Gentlemen.
Families often gather for a critical holiday and celebrate each other’s company. Family is a significant Jewish value.
“My favorite Hanukkah tradition is making homemade latkes with my family,” said Harper.
Latkes is a traditional Jewish dish for various Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah. Combining cuisine and quality time with family is an excellent way to spend Hanukkah.
Changing over the years, Hanukkah isn’t the same as it once was. A reason could be that the holiday falls on different days every year. The holiday follows the lunar calendar. This aspect makes it so that the holiday takes place on a different range of days every year.
Even so, spinning the dreidel will never stop. The Jewish culture solely depends on the dreidel to turn their traditions underway. The Jewish community will stay strong and connected, celebrating Hanukkah for many year to come