KU Chabad hosted 17 holiday programs over the eight days of Hanukkah. The celebrations ranged from a community Hanukkah celebration in downtown Lawrence, Kan., to a Menorah lighting at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka.
Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel of KU Chabad said that the organization’s Hanukkah celebrations this year issued a far-reaching, universal statement of light, togetherness and unity.
“It’s in the true spirit of Judaism to bring light, which represents hope and inspiration to the masses,” Rabbi Tiechtel said. “In light of the difficult year we have been having with the global pandemic, we doubled our efforts this year to bring even more light to every single person we can reach.”
As KU Chabad marks its 16th year, the annual Hanukkah awareness campaign reached a new high. According to Rabbi Tiechtel, this year’s festivities included a wide range of events with the goal of sharing the joys of the holiday with people of all ages and affiliations.
In what has become an annual Hanukkah tradition, Chabad emissaries across Kansas celebrated the holiday in the Kansas State Capitol with Governor Laura Kelly and members of the Jewish communities across the state. Governor Kelly condemned anti-Semitism and encouraged all Kansans to unite together in bringing more light during these difficult times.
A menorah lighting in downtown Lawrence drew community interest of a different sort. The centerpiece was a “Light Up Menorah” — a 12-foot menorah that featured an array of lights and colors. There was also an interactive olive-press factory for children at the Lawrence Public Library.
"It felt so special to celebrate Hanukkah on campus... I felt so proud to be a Jew and so connected to my heritage,” said Dori Jezmir, a freshman from Overland Park, Kan. “Even though this was my first Hanukkah away from home, it felt like we were together as one big family.”
KU Chabad hosted various Hanukkah celebrations at Greek houses, dorms and complexes across town. This year, Chabad presented the “Corvette Menorah” — a Chevrolet Corvette with an LED Menorah on its roof.
“I was sitting outside my ZBT fraternity when suddenly, this green Corvette came revving up to our door, blasting holiday music,” said Ethan Geller, a senior from Denver, Colo. “It definitely gave us a break from the daily grind of college life and lit up our hearts with the Hanukkah spirit.”
Suzi DeLay, a junior from Buffalo Grove, Ill., led fellow Jewish students at KU in hosting a “Hanukkah Bash” on the KU campus. Close to 100 students showed up to kindle the 9-foot menorah and enjoy Hanukkah songs being played by the Marching Jayhawks as KU mascot Baby Jay led the dancing.
“During these hard times of a global pandemic, Chabad’s supportive presence on campus has really made a big difference in my life and so many of my peers. We are so thankful for everything they do for us,” DeLay said.
Rabbi Tiechtel said he encourages all of KU Chabad’s friends and extended family to ensure that their candles are not put out despite Hanukkah being over. “Let’s unite together to keep the flame alive,” he said. “With our joined efforts, we can ignite the sparks of those around us, touch another soul, and make a world of a difference in our families and communities.”
