Around this time every year, people walk around saying, “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Merry Christmas!” But really, what’s the story behind these celebrations that are a huge part of our holiday season in the United States?
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by people who practice Judaism or follow the Jewish faith. In the second century BCE (Before Common Era), the Israeli Jews rebelled against their Greek overlords who were trying to force them to stop practicing their religion. After their victory, the Jews cleaned the main temple in Jerusalem of all Greek symbols and lit a menorah that burned for eight days and nights even though there was very little oil to keep the fire going. Hanukkah today is celebrated in the same way with the lighting of one more candle each night on the menorah in honor of what happened in the temple in Jerusalem all those years ago. However, the lighting of the menorah is not all that happens, “During Hanukkah, we eat all kinds of foods! A lot of latkes are eaten [potato pancakes], sufganiyah [jelly donuts], gelt [chocolate coins], and normal everyday meals too. My favorite is latkes with ketchup,” said junior Talia Edelheit. This year Hanukkah starts at sunset on Tuesday, December 20, and ends at sunset on Wednesday, December 28.
Another popular winter holiday celebrated in the United States is Christmas, the major Christian winter holiday. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, the son of God, on December 25 of each year. The typical celebration of Christmas involves the attending of church services on Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas and the bonding between family members on Christmas Day. When asked about what his favorite Christmas memories were, junior Lou Nanne said, “I’d have to say either skating on our pond in the backyard, hockey season, or else the TV shows!” Depending on their own traditions, families will exchange gifts on either Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Gifts are placed underneath a Christmas tree, typically a pine that is placed within the home and adorned with different ornaments to celebrate the season.
A third celebrated holiday during winter is Kwanzaa, a celebration of universal African-American heritage and culture. Founded by Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa grew popular with the Black Power movement of the time. Families that celebrate Kwanzaa decorate their homes with objects of art, a colorful African cloth called “kente,” and/or fresh fruits that represent African idealism.
Holidays during this time of year help bring people together and create memories that last a lifetime. Luckily winter break encompasses all of these holidays this year, so a happy holidays to all from the Zephyrus staff.
