A crowd of at least 100 people is expected to gather Friday around 5 p.m. in the Academic Plaza on Texas A&M University's campus to witness the lighting of a 13-foot-tall menorah, marking the beginning of Hanukkah.
"That's four feet taller than the menorah at t.u.," said Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center at A&M.
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This year, that means sundown Friday.
It celebrates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been captured by the Syrians in 168 B.C. After three years of fighting, the Jews regained their temple, which was in ruins.
After making repairs, Judah Maccabee and his soldiers wanted to relight the temple's gold menorah. There was only enough oil for one of the eight days the menorah was to be lighted. Somehow, that oil lasted and prompted the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah there is today.
Part of Lazaroff's goal in working with the students, he said, is to promote Jewish culture and to make Jewish life relevant and exciting to the community.
"When we were setting up the menorah [Wednesday] there was a group of about 15 to 20 students watching us who were not Jewish, who were just as excited and interested as we were," he said. "In general, we've always had warm responses to activities on campus."
Naomi Heller has been president of the Chabad Jewish Student Group for two years and said she welcomes the curiosity and questions students might have about her faith.
"I knew when I came to A&M I was going to be one of, what, 100 Jews?" she said, laughing. "I was prepared for that when I stepped in. I like the questions, they make me feel proud of who I am."
This year, Hanukkah falls right in the middle of final exams for the fall semester, but that's a good thing. Some years, Hanukkah comes after the students have left for the winter break, which means attendance at the annual ceremony is lower.
"It's perfect timing for us, really," said Melanie Weiser, program director for Texas A&M Hillel. "We get a lot of people to come out normally. [Hanukkah] is definitely a reminder for everyone to not let the light burn out -- regardless of what that means to you in your personal life. It reminds me that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and to always fight the good fight."
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