Students find a way to light

By Ariana Milian

With the first night of Chanukah falling two days before the end of semester, many students were thinking they would just have to wait until they got home to celebrate, knowing they would not be able to light a menorah on campus or in their dorms.

Chabad at FGCU stepped in to secure the requisite permits to allow students to kindle their Hanukkah lights in the safety of the outdoors, in a purpose-built glass enclosure outside the dining hall — in fact, the ideal place to kindle the lights, so that they may be seen by the public and add light to the lives of all those who pass by.

This provided a safe space for students to mingle and celebrate together. Rachel a freshman from Ft Lauderdale, never missed a Chanukah celebration. This year, however, she was away from home and busy finishing finals. Feeling down about missing the Chanukah lights, she was walking towards the dining hall, when she encountered students about to light their menorahs. Thrilled, Rachel joined them in the mitzvah, her holiday spirit reinvigorated.

During the last days of Chanukah, after students returned home for break, Chabad hosted a virtual Chanukah party for students and their families, continuing the celebration across the country. Students joined in from their homes, spanning from New York to all over Florida and between, and enjoyed a virtual dreidel game, live menorah lighting and Chanukah-themed kahoot.

2020 has been a year of great challenges and uncertainty. One thing, however, is certain: we will continue to celebrate our heritage proudly, notwithstanding the difficulties that come our way, just as our forefathers did so many years ago.

If this year has taught us one thing, perhaps it’s flexibility. Certainly, much of our routine has been upended, but if we are determined, we can still find safe ways to observe our timeless traditions, even in these uncertain times, bringing back some stability and providing comfort in such a trying year.

Chabad at FGCU caters to all Jewish students in Southwest Florida, providing a home away from home. Join us to learn, celebrate or just meet Jewish students your age. For more information or to get involved, contact Rabbi Mendel Gordon at 347-452- 0489 or chabadfgcu@gmail.com, or visit our website at Chabadfgcu.com.