At a Catholic university best known for its Christmas festivities, Seton Hall’s Jewish community still finds meaningful ways to honor its own winter traditions.
Each year, SHU Hillel brings Hanukkah to campus through tabling events that invite students of all faiths to join in on the celebration, offering traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, President Bella Laor, a junior history major, said.
This year, Hanukkah falls from Dec. 14-22, overlapping with SHU’s final exams and the start of winter break. Because of that, Hillel isn’t hosting any major on-campus events but plans to attend a service at a local synagogue to celebrate.
“As president of Hillel, it is my job to make sure that all Jewish students have a way to celebrate and a place to go if they wish to observe,” Laor said.
Despite the challenges of timing, celebrating Hanukkah at a Catholic university has its own unique appeal, Laor said.
“I personally think that it’s fun,” she said. “I get to experience the best of both worlds: both a traditional Christmas and all the traditions that come with it, while I personally get to do my own little traditions for Hanukkah with the Jewish community on campus.”
For Laor, Hanukkah is a time for togetherness and reflection.
“To me, it is a time where families can put aside their responsibilities for one night [usually the first night of Hanukkah] for dinner and enjoy the company,” she said.
Hillel Vice President Rachel Kelman, a junior marketing major, said Hanukkah reminds her to “slow down and practice gratitude.”
“That’s what the holiday is about,” she added. “Believing in miracles.”
Kelman said her favorite part of the holiday is spending time with her family, exchanging gifts, playing games, singing holiday songs and eating traditional foods.
“My favorite part is the menorah lighting. The prayer that goes along with it as well as the songs are just so meaningful and joyful,” Laor added. “My family also makes homemade latkes, brisket and sufganiyot, so you cannot beat the meal.”
Spending Hanukkah away from home can be difficult for Jewish students, but Hillel works to make the transition easier.
“Seeing as the cultural aspect of Hanukkah is being with family…my first Hanukkah away from home was really hard,” Laor said. “However, once I found fellow Jewish students, I felt like I had a community that I could share the tradition with. I hope to do this with all freshmen this year.”
“There aren’t many students who have the same experiences as me when it comes to celebrating the holidays,” Kelman added. “Hillel makes it less isolating.”
Kelman said Hillel has allowed her to connect with “a community of people who support me.”
“Hillel is my home away from home, especially during the holiday season,” she said.
Laor highlighted Hillel’s role in supporting Jewish students and fostering community.
“Simply being here [shows] that Seton Hall is not only for Catholic students during the holiday season,” Laor said. “It can be for everyone and we do have a place here.”
Megan Pitt is the head editor for The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at megan.pitt@student.shu.edu.
