As winter is approaching, the holiday season is underway. For those who celebrate Hanukkah, the eight days of celebration have arrived and are now coming to a close. Hanukkah commemorates the triumph of Jewish people over religious persecution and remembers the miracle of a candle burned for eight days and eight nights without being replenished. However, many people do not know the history behind the beautiful holiday.

Although not a major holiday in the Jewish religion, it has become one of the most commercialized Jewish holidays in the United States due to the mass production of holiday cards and other means of advertisement.

Hanukkah typically kicks off at sundown of the first night, this year being December 6, and ends on the sundown of the eighth night, December 14 of this year. Unlike most people who finish celebrating a given holiday at night, people who celebrate Hanukkah begin at night, which allows them to have a unique holiday experience.

Traditions are a very important part of Hanukkah, and while everyone who celebrates lights the menorah each night, every family has different traditions. While some spend their holiday in the temple, others focus on spending time with family, but no matter where one spends the holiday it is always incredibly fun.

Junior Kira Sweetman goes to temple at least once during Hanukkah and gets to spend time with her family and friends during the services and Hanukkah party.

“Going to our temple’s Hanukkah party is probably my favorite part about the holiday. It’s so much fun to get together with everyone and just celebrate. We always have a big game of dreidel. It’s so much fun,” said Sweetman.

Sophomore Rebecca Joskow and her family have many Hanukkah traditions, her favorite being spinning the dreidel.

“My family all gets together and we play dreidel. It’s been a tradition in my family for a really long time and it’s so much fun to get the whole family involved. You always end up with lots of chocolate which is awesome,” said Joskow.

For junior Carly Grand, Hanukkah is a great time to celebrate with her family and eat delicious food.

“One of my favorite parts of Hanukkah would definitely have to be the food. My mom is, in my opinion, the best cook in the world. Every year she makes latkes and homemade applesauce. I love being able to catch up with my relatives and bond over the incredible food,” said Grand.

Hanukkah is truly an amazing holiday – it testifies to people’s ability to create light in the night, remember the miracle of the candle and assume the great responsibility of creating the future.