The first night of Hanukkah began Dec. 2 and the last night is Dec. 9. Eight days. Eight nights.
Instead of hearing the friendly greeting of Happy Hanukkah, Christmas music rings in the air. In Idaho, people don’t generally recognize the Jewish community, but it is nice when we are recognized.
It is disappointing to see the University of Idaho culture does not recognize their Jewish student community.
Last week, students could take photos with Santa Claus. In the background, there is a huge Christmas tree lit up with sparkling lights giving students the warm feeling of the Christmas holiday spirit.
There is one important item missing in this holiday scene — a menorah.
This proves UI is not as inclusive as it could be. Universities need to recognize other cultures outside of the general Christmas holiday. It can be as simple as putting up a menorah by the Christmas tree.
Lindsay Trombly | Argonaut
It is not OK to make Jewish students feel secluded around the holidays, especially when they may not be able to go home early to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones. Yet, all students get to go home for Christmas.
Once again, the university setting provides a less-than-inclusive space. Hanukkah is a very important holiday for Jews. I’ve celebrated it with my family ever since I was a little girl and it holds a very special place in my heart.
This holiday represents our freedom.
About 2,200 years ago, a man named King Antiochus had many Jews as his subjects in Israel and wanted them to pray the way he did to the Greeks. He didn’t want Jews to pray to their own gods. He abolished the practice of Judaism and forbid Jews to worship in their temple.
Some Jews were ready to fight back. They were the Maccabees and won in a war against the king. To their disappointment, the temple wasn’t taken care of. Hanukkah is a celebration of taking that temple back.
The Maccabees only had enough oil for one lamp in the temple, but it ended up burning for eight nights.
On Hanukkah, Jews light the menorah for eight nights, we eat latkes, spin dreidels and exchange gifts. This great miracle happened and we need to celebrate it.
So even if UI isn’t a religious school, we must recognize this holiday. The Jewish students at the university wouldn’t be who they are today if the Maccabees did not take back their spiritual freedom.
If UI recognizes Santa Claus for Christmas, they need to recognize Hanukkah, too.
It is just as important as Christmas. UI needs to take a step in the right direction to be inclusive.
The first step is as simple as putting up that menorah in the Idaho Commons next to the tree. Not only that, we need to have a candle lighting for Jewish students on Hanukkah so they aren’t celebrating it alone.
UI needs to prove that it is important to embrace cultures that may not line up with the mainstream.
The administration and students at the university need to recognize there is more to December than just Christmas.
Lindsay Trombly can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lindsay_trombly