Holiday Traditions

By Julia Coccaro B arnumbia houses a community that epitomizes diversity of race, religion, culture, and more. Given that we are in the throes of the winter holiday season, we thought it would be interesting to talk to four fellow students about their holiday traditions: how they spent the holidays growing up, their fondest memories, which holidays they celebrate (and which they don’t), etc.

Sophomore Noga Shlapobersky from Los Angeles has historically celebrated Hanukkah consistently with her family. “Most nights it would just be me, my parents, and my brother, and we would have a small ritual at home. We’d light the menorah, say the prayers, sing a few songs, and then have dinner. After dinner we’d eat fresh sufganiyot (traditional jelly donuts for Hanukkah) that we get from a small bakery, and watch the candles go out on the menorah.” If that night they were celebrating with friends, they’d do the same ritual, but with a gift exchange. Because both of her parents are Jewish/ Israeli, she’s never celebrated any other holiday. “I loved the way my family celebrated Hanukkah since it was pretty non-consumerist. I didn’t really receive presents from my parents once I wasn’t a little kid anymore and we just enjoyed spending time together without needing flashy celebrations.”

Senior and NYC native Jeanne Locker and her family dabbles in multiple holidays, though she doesn’t identify as religious herself. “My dad is Jewish, so we’ve done Hanukkah, but my mom also used to take me to church, so it was pretty varied,” she explained. “Sometimes it would be pretty religious and sometimes it wouldn’t. We’d do Hanukkah and then forget a day, and then do Christmas, but we didn’t usually have a tree. We always had some sort of gift exchange, though. Looking back, the various experiences were really fun.”

For Raeedah Wahid, a sophomore from New Jersey who identifies as Muslim, this time of the year can get a bit awkward. “This has always been the time of year where I feel most conflicted about my allegiances,” she explained. “My 85-year-old Polish neighbor makes it a point to put her Christmas decor on display the first day of December and my house just doesn’t compare. Though it’s been so culturally integrated into our society and I constantly feel that I should contribute to the festive season by giving gifts and decorating the tree, it’s not Islamic and it doesn’t make sense for a Muslim to celebrate.” For her family, the holidays are spent at home, doing what they normally do every day—and to them, the holidays are for everyone else. “Though I do give gifts, a small part of me constantly feels like by even doing that I’m going against my religion, and suddenly I feel isolated from everyone who’s able to enjoy Christmas.”

Abby Melbourne, a Catholic sophomore from Iowa, celebrates advent, Christmas, New Years’, and every other Catholic holiday. She discussed her fond memories of going to midnight mass with her grandparents at their local abbey. Sometimes her family would put up a tree but they often traveled to visit family, all of whom live outside of Iowa. “My favorite Christmases were always with extended family. We always make sure to have Christmas be family-oriented above anything else, so it definitely isn’t a huge production at our house.”

I learned quite a lot from talking with these women—especially Raeedah, whose circumstances I had never even considered. Diversity is one of the most important facets to any community and we are extremely lucky at Barnumbia to coexist with so many walks of life. I encourage our readers to think outside of their own lives and traditions from time to time to help foster a tolerant space on our campus; after all, there is intrinsic and priceless value in understanding. Have a great holiday (or holidayless) season, everyone!