Tomorrow, Nov. 29, the Fish Interfaith Center will host a lighting of the Menorah ceremony to kick off Hanukkah. The event will take place outside of the Fashionables Courtyard from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendants have the opportunity to assist in the lighting of the first candle surrounded by friends and music. The event is open to staff, faculty, students and alumni alike. 

Hanukkah began on the night of Nov. 28 and will end the evening of Dec. 6. To continue the festivities throughout the week, student organizations will be tabling in the Attallah Piazza offering activities and merchandise in observance of this year’s Festival of Lights. Additionally, Chapman Chabad is offering a series of “Chanukah” related activities to rejoice in the spirit of both Christmas and Hanukkah.

The eight-day celebration recognizes the recovery of Jerusalem in 2nd century BCE after the Maccabees, a group of Jewish people, were forced to submit to Greek culture. The Maccabees found their Temple defiled and sought to rededicate it to God. As part of the process they needed to relight the Menorah; however, they only had a single jar of oil. The supply was enough for a single day, but it managed to stay lit for eight days, according to the Talmud.

While students aren’t likely to find a Holiday Armadillo roaming campus to provide insight about the Jewish holiday season — like Ross Geller in the show “Friends” — the events all week will bring illumination to the Festival of Lights.  

This is a developing story. Follow The Panther on social media and at www.thepanthernewspaper.org for updates.

Updated Dec. 3, 1:02 p.m. PT

For those interested in celebrating or learning about Hanukkah, the Fish Interfaith Center is hosting various events this week to promote community and togetherness. These activities are open to members of the Chapman community from all religious backgrounds. To read about the week’s festivities, check out The Panther here.