Though the stress of finals week looms ahead, Jewish students on campus are taking out their menorahs and making arrangements to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah at Ohio University.
There is a lot of excitement to get into the holiday spirit, but some students are feeling somewhat overlooked, said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, executive director of Hillel at OU.
“Jewish students are wondering why they aren’t part of the landscape of festivities and decorations,” she said. “I’m encouraging students to advocate for themselves to make sure people are aware of the holiday and that there are 600–800 students on campus who want to be recognized for celebrating.”
Philip Ganson, a junior studying political science, said he enjoys the holiday lights regardless of what holiday they are for.
“Just because I celebrate Hanukkah doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the holiday lights,” he said. “Hanukkah is called the festival of lights and in Cincinnati, the zoo holds a festival of lights to celebrate the season.”
Celebrating Hanukkah in the dorms can be tricky for some students, said Bri Adamson, president of Jewish Women of Ohio and a junior studying public health and public advocacy with a focus in women’s health.
“One of my good friends lives in a dorm, and she isn’t allowed to have candles, so she can only use battery candles,” she said. “It’s frustrating when people can have real Christmas trees in the dorm, but we can’t have candles.”
Jewish Women of Ohio is having a candle lighting at Adamson’s apartment for Jewish female students looking for a place to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Saturday night.
Hillel at OU will hold a menorah lighting outside Baker University Center’s fourth-floor entrance followed by the first annual Maccaball, a semi-formal, RSVP-only event on Monday night in Baker’s 1804 Lounge.
For students staying in Athens through the end of finals week, Hillel at OU will host Hanukkah Extravaganza on Dec. 15 to light the final candle and celebrate the end of Hanukkah.
Although Adamson is excited to celebrate Hanukkah with her friends this year, she said she is going to miss cooking with her mother and celebrating with her family.
“My mom also always enlists my help in making matzo ball soup, but this year I have to make it by myself for the first time, and I wish she was here to help me,” Adamson said. “My two roommates are not Jewish though, so I’m excited to share this experience with them.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO:
What: Hanukkah Extravaganza
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 15
Where: Hillel, 21 Mill St.
Admission: Free
