There are many different religions present in our community at Wilsonville High School. You might be surprised how many of your peers celebrate different religions or don’t celebrate any at all. Wilsonville High School noticeably tries to be inclusive of all religions, but many don’t actually know the history or customs of certain holidays. 

In Judaism, there are multiple holidays celebrated throughout the year but the best-known one is Hanukkah. This year, Hanukkah starts December 18th after sundown but in the Hebrew calendar, it starts the 25th of Kislew.

The Hebrew calendar is also known as the Jewish calendar. It’s lunisolar, meaning it is based on the phases of the moon. Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration that remembers the rededication of the second holy temple in Jerusalem. This happened after the Jews had risen up against their Greek oppressors during the second century B.C. 

Gabby Maoz, a sophomore at Wilsonville High School says “me and my family usually light the menorah every night, get donuts, and make latkes”. This is a typical tradition for Jewish families during Hanukkah. It is customary to light candles each night. As Gabby mentioned, traditional foods eaten during this holiday are potato pancakes called “latkes”, and jelly-filled donuts called “sufganiyot”. 

Jason Katz, a teacher at Wilsonville High School shares his traditions. “For Hanukkah we light the menorah every night at home and usually play dreidel games.” He also shares “we also give gifts and usually make potato latkes”. Katz mentions “dreidel games” which are played with spinning tops that have Hebrew letters on each side. You spin the top and have a chance to win gold coins called “gelt”!

Many Jewish people celebrate this holiday in similar ways. Others may rejoice in different fashions. There is not one right way to commemorate this important event in Jewish history.