The lit Menorah represents a Jewish miracle. The Menorah is used during Hanukkah ceremonies.
Jewish holiday begins Dec. 20; lighting highlights activities
By SHARON APPELBAUM Staff Reporter
Although hanukkah and Christmas fall at the same time this year, Jews at the University of Kansas say their holiday falls short of the Christian celebration.
"Hanukah is considered a minor holiday," said Dan Breslauer, associate professor of religious studies. "We don't refrain from work during the day."
"Because the winter season has such an emphasis commercially and socially in the United States, it is essential that
Jews observe important holidays, such as the Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, by staying away from work or school and going to services.
Hannukah, also called the Festival of
lights, begins the evening of Dec. 20 and
lasts through Jan. 15.
The date changes every year because it is determined by the lunar Jewish calendar. It celebrates the victory of Judah the Maccabee over the Hellenistic Syrians who occupied Israel around 165 B.C.
THE HOLIDAY also celebrates another miracle, but according to Bresler, that moment is a turning point.
According to the legend, the Syrians, under King Antiochus, destroyed the Macabees' temple. When the Macabees built a new temple enough sacramental oil to burn one day.
That one crusse of oil end up burning eight days, and the Macabee had time to recover.
To commemorate those eight days, Jews light a menorah each night of Hanukkah, starting with one candle and adding one each night.
Breslauer said Jews traditionally played gambling games and ate potato pancakes
on Hanukkah. Children usually bet with a toton called a dreidel.
In America, the holiday has grown in importance, and children usually receive gifts.
"My wife and I Christmas carol every year," he said. "It surprises a lot of people. It's an enjoyable communal time. The fact that we're singing songs of religious significance doesn't mean anything to me. It's just a song."
Most Jews say grandiose Christmas celebrations do not bother them.
Ellen Kort, adviser to Hillel, a Jewish youth group, said she told her children to leave.
"I make very little of it," she said. "We look at all the decorations and say, 'Isn't that nice.' I've accepted it. It doesn't seem to make any sense to get upset about it."
LONNINE ROSE, professor of law, said he enjoyed Christmas time.
"I'm not overly fond of the commercialism of Christmas. If I were a child, I would probably have a teddy bear."
Parents begin to worry about Christmas when it becomes a part of their children's story.
Sidney Lindenbaum, professor of pharmac-
ology at the public schools washed the
would be needed.
"I would like to see this whole business played down," he said. "It's two weeks wasted. Sometimes the excitement gets to such a feverous pitch, I wonder how it finally comes whether it's a let down. They build up such a high expectation."
University Daily Kansan December 8, 1981
DAVID KATZMAN, associate dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences, said he took his children out of school the two days before vacation.
"I take them out so they're not subject to the pressure," he said.
CLUBHOUSE SPECIALS
WEDNESDAY-1/2 price drinks with a membership.
THURSDAY-9-2 25c draws 1.00 cover charge
FRIDAY- T.G.I.F.
4-5 50¢ house drinks
5-6 75¢ " " "
6-7 1.00 " " "
7-8 1.25 " " "
8 1.50 " " "
HAPPY HOUR
HA. 9 NOUR 8-9 2for1 MEMBERSHIPS Mon.-Thurs. AVAILABLE
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The Kansas Union Food Service Invites you to join us for our
Christmas Buffet
Friday, December 11, 1981 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Menu
Carved Baron of Beef Oven Browned Potatoes Green Bean Casserole Holiday Vegetable Mixture Assorted Festive Salads Freshly Baked Rolls and Breads Decorated White Cake Nuts and Mints Beverage
Other selections will be available
Refreshments compliments of Kansas Union Fellowship by: You
KANSAS UNION CAFETERIA, LEVEL 3 PRAIRIE ROOM, LEVEL 2
SATELLITE UNION PARTY ROOM, LEVEL 2
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