This year, Chanukah and Christmas overlap as Dec. 25 will be the first day of Chanukah. Though these holidays are still far off, both the Fiedler Hillel Center and the Sheil Catholic Center are holding events during Reading Week so students can celebrate on campus.
Hillel is planning Latkepalooza to celebrate Chanukah before students leave for Winter Break.
“It has been a tradition for Hillel to have an event to celebrate the holiday, ” said Audrey Klein, a Communication junior and president of the Cultural Committee at Hillel.
The event will take place at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Louis Room at Norris University Center.
“Latkepalooza is a chance for all different cultures and backgrounds to experience Chanukah,” said Adam SiMonday, executive director of Hillel. This event is based more on the culture of the holiday rather than its religious aspects.
“Everyone is invited,” Klein added. “The more the merrier.”
In addition to latkes (potato pancakes traditionally served on Chanukah) Latkepalooza will feature the Jewish Theatre Ensemble Storytellers and ShireiNU, a Jewish a capella group.
Latkepalooza is “a great time to show the campus a part of Jewish culture,” said Zach Galin, an Education junior and president of Hillel. Last year about 300 people from diverse backgrounds attended Latkepalooza last year, he said. Now Hillel staff is hoping to expand turnout, he said.
The Sheil Catholic Center also is hoping to increase attendance for its Advent Evening Prayer of Lessons and Carols at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sheil. This event is a prayer service in preparation for Christmas.
Students will preside over the event with readings and songs of the season.
“Lessons and Carols started in England as a service for Christmas Eve,” said Mary Deeley, pastoral associate at Sheil. “Sheil has adapted because students leave so quickly after Advent.”
In the Catholic Church, Advent is also the beginning of the liturgical year.
“It is the period in which we prepare ourselves for Christ’s incoming,” Deeley said.
“I think the point of it is to get students involved in some sort of Advent (or) Christmas celebration before they all leave,” said Music sophomore Rosie Hunter-Kilmer, who will sing at the event.
The service will feature readings and songs dealing with the coming of God. It is Christ-based, but people of all faiths and cultures are welcome to attend.
After the hourlong service, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and coffee will be served in the lobby.
“This is a nice opportunity to celebrate together,”said Kate Pascale, a Communication sophomore who plans to attend the event.
Last year the event gathered a crowd of approximately 100 worshippers, and this year Deeley is hoping to double that number.
“Lessons and Carols is one chance to really pray together and do something special before Christmas,” she said before adding with a smile, “Also, what does it hurt to pray a little before exams?”
Reach Maureen Rohn at [email protected].
