By Ella Barrington, Staff Writer
This year, Hanukkah began on Sunday, Nov. 28 and will be celebrated until Dec. 6. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight days. The holiday is a festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by lighting the candles every day of the festival.
Sophomore health science major Riley Goldberg proudly celebrates Hanukkah every year whether she is home with her family or not. Goldberg is from California, so she was unable to go home to celebrate.
“I have celebrated Hanukkah every year since I was born, and that has been no different since coming to college. I may not be home with my family celebrating but they are just a phone call away and it is still a special time to celebrate my Jewish origins,” she said.
Goldberg and her family still honor and celebrate the Christian holiday Christmas, and she is excited to at least be home to celebrate that holiday with her family.
“I do not know anyone who isn’t Jewish that celebrates Hanukkah. However, my family also celebrates Christmas, despite being 100 percent Jewish. We use Christmas as a time to bring together the entire extended family and spend the day embracing one another,” Goldberg said.
Sophomore Charli Cohen, who is from Florida, grew up in an interfaith family where her dad is Jewish and her mom is Christian. Cohen understands that this is a little uncommon blend of religions, but she is thankful that her family is loving towards one another regardless of their faith.
“I don’t really have a comment about being raised in a family that celebrates two different religions because I’ve grown up with it my entire life, but I am very grateful that I am. I celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas every year and I’m thankful that my parents haven’t pressured me into choosing which faith I want to practice.”
Cohen has family that lives in Long Island, and is excited to continue her Jewish traditions and celebrate her roots during this Hanukkah season.
“My brother and cousin both live about 40 minutes away from Post, and so I am happy that I am able to keep my Jewish traditions alive with them by lighting the menorah. I am also thrilled to then be able to travel home where I can then celebrate Christmas with the rest of my family,” Cohen said.
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