THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2006
WINTER BREAK GUIDE
7A
Campus full of differing celebrations
Winter traditions represented by various groups, events
BY CALEB T. SOMMERVILLE
Although it's hard to tell from all the decorations in Target and the Kansas Union, the American version of Christmas does not have a holiday monopoly at the University of Kansas. Some students celebrate Hamukkah, some New Year's and some nothing at all.
Hillel, the University's Jewish student group, celebrates Hanukkah despite the Christmas emphasis.
"Jewish people grow up knowing that it's a Christian world, mostly," said Liz Cohen, president of Hillel and Leawood junior. "We're just used to it by now."
Hiliel, which has weekly Shabbat meetings for the Jewish Sabbath and social events throughout the year, celebrated Hamukkah early.
"Latkepalozaa," held Dec. 6, featured traditional games like dreidel and traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
Even though there were several Christmas-themed events at the same time, Cohen said Hillel didn't have any problems attracting participants.
Hanukkah, which begins December 15 at sunset, means "dedication" in the original Hebrew. It celebrates the Miracle of the Oil during the rededication of the Temple after the Macabees rebelled against and defeated the Seleucid (Assyrian) Empire in 167 B.C.
The Talmud states that after the Temple was retaken, there was only enough oil to burn for one day, and it took eight days to fully prepare new oil. Miraculously, the flame burned for eight days.
These days, the long-lasting oil is remembered as a metaphor for the three-thousand year history of Judaism and the suffering of its people. Jews remember the Miracle of the Oil during Hanukkah by the lighting of the menorah for eight days as well as eating anything fried in oil.
Some groups are celebrating New Year's Day, including the Wisdom of Peace and Buddhism group. Rie Motonaga, president of the group, and said that the group was going to a celebration in Kansas City, Mo., at the Kansas City Community Center. "I don't really celebrate any winter holidays, unless you count Thanksgiving as one." Neda Ahmad, a Wichita State University alumna, said. "And if the month of Ramadan happens to fall during the winter
oddly unique.
months, then that would be something that is observed."
She also said that Eid-al-Fitr, the holiday celebrated at the end of Ramadan, is the big celebration day for Muslims.
INCURABLY ODD.NET
And if none of these holidays suit you, make up your own like George Costanza's father in "Seinfeld," who created Festivus — the holiday for the rest of us.
- Edited by Natalie Johnson
Kansan correspondent Caleb T. Sommerville can be contacted at editor@kansan.com.
religious groups
» Hillel is a student-run organization. See www.kuhillel.org, or call (785) 749-5397 for more information.
Wisdom of Peace & Buddhism is a student-run group that studies Buddhism and promotes a better understanding of Buddhism on campus. Learn more by e-mailing them at ku_sgi@yahoo.com
MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION is a student-run group that promotes unity, understanding, and brotherhood among Muslims, as well as friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. Check them out at www.msaka.com.
Amanda Sellers
Amanda Sellers
The eight candles of a menahra are lit during the eight days of Hanukkah. The flames recall a story in the Talmud about the rededication of the Temple in 167 B.C., when one day's worth of oil miraculously lasted eight days.