From December 2nd through the 10th, Midlo’s Jewish community will enjoy the lights of Hanukkah, a yearly celebration of freedom for the Jewish people. On the first night, one candle is lit, with an additional candle added each night until the menorah, the lamp-stand in which candles are placed, is fully lit. Following the lighting, children are given presents, and families feast on delectable latkes, potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, round jelly doughnuts.

Hanukkah traces back its origins to ancient times. When the mighty Greeks ruled over the Holy Land with an iron fist, the people of Jerusalem desperately attempted to light the candles of the Holy Temple; however, the remaining olive oil would only amount to 1-2 days of light. Miraculously, the fire burned for 8 days, thus the creation of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

Every family has different Hanukkah traditions, with senior Sarah Moskovitz‘s family making latkes together. Yosef Collins‘ family sings Hanukkah songs, such as Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel, while Kayla Oberfeld enjoys giving gifts back to her parents on the final night of the Jewish holiday.