Latkes, Dreidels, and Mystery Maccabee: Harvard Hillel’s Hanukkah Celebrations

For many Jewish students on campus, this time of the year—as classes begin winding down and students get ready for break—also means preparing for the much-anticipated holiday of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Holiday also known as the “Festival of Lights,” will take place this year from nightfall on Sunday, Dec. 14, to Monday, Dec. 22. 

Within Harvard’s Jewish community, many undergraduates will miss some—or even all—of their family traditions throughout the week, as final exams at the College do not officially end until Dec. 19. 

In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah serves as a week to remember and recognize the successful revolt by a small group of Jews, known as the Maccabees, against their Greek rulers to reclaim their land as well as their holy temple. The holiday’s ceremonial lighting of candles commemorates the “Hanukkah miracle”—the moment after the temple was reclaimed from Antiochus IV, and they found only one day’s supply of sacred oil to relight the temple’s eternal lamp. Yet, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, giving the Maccabees just enough time to prepare new and pure oil and complete the rededication of the temple. 

Hanukkah also includes the lighting of the celebratory candles on the menorah from the Shamash, which in Hebrew means “helper.” Accompanying the lighting of candles, a blessing in Hebrew will often be recited, and festive songs will be sung. Following the practices regarding the menorah, gifts are given to children, often, on each of the eight nights.

For Jewish-identifying students on campus, Hanukkah manifests in many different forms. 

“It’s sort of taken on different meanings between secular Jews in the United States and Jews in Israel, or Jews thousands of years ago,” Harvard Hillel Holiday Chair Henry Levenson ’28 reflected. “Obviously, [Hanukkah] has its own complicated history, but certainly for American Jews, it fills a unique role in creating this sort of winter holiday. There’s a lot of time with family and gift giving, which is sort of reminiscent of what I remember as a kid.”

According to Levenson, there are two components of Hanukkah, one being the historical aim and then the American cultural component—both of which Hillel focuses on when planning the holiday festivities to help University affiliates feel more at home. 

“For this year, specifically, my goal as Holiday Chair—and working with the student board and the adult leadership we have at Hillel—has just been to create some fun events where people can find community and that sort of winter spirit,” Levenson said. “And also for the end of the semester, have [Hillel] as sort of the dual purpose of Hanukkah celebration and end of semester celebration.”

As an extension of Harvard Hillel, Levenson will also be hosting a “Mystery Maccabee,” akin to Secret Santa. Interested students can sign up, will be given the name of another student, and will be asked to buy them a gift of a predetermined value. Levenson will be sending out information on how to join the event shortly. 

“Hopefully people will feel [that these events are] reminiscent of people’s Hanukkah celebrations at home, and it’ll be a good way for people to spend some time together at the end of the semester,” Levenson said.

Hillel will also be sponsoring additional Hanukkah celebrations, teeming with food and activities. “We’re just going to have traditional Hanukkah foods, such as latkes—which are fried potato pancakes—and Sugfaniyah—which are basically jelly donuts,” Levenson noted. He also explained that there will be games, including Driedel and Gelt.

These activities are open to all students on campus, regardless of whether they are Jewish-identifying. “Everything I do is always open to everybody, especially this Hanukkah, [and] especially the cultural stuff. We’re always happy to have new people in the door, and bring your friends, bring your enemies, because it’s really about community, and it’s about bringing people together,” Levenson said. 

For Levenson, he finds himself navigating how the holidays have changed while being at Harvard—and as Holiday Chair, these celebrations teach him how to foster that same sense of community for his peers. 

“My particular experience with Hanukkah is definitely personal,” noted Levenson, joking about his excitement for Hillel latkes this holiday season. “I think it’s a combination of nostalgia for prior holidays and prior experiences at home and the creation of new traditions and new communities,” 

Levenson said. “It’s about using those symbols of the holiday that are familiar to people, so whether it’s latkes or dreidels or gift giving, but it’s also about being with new friends that we’ve made at Harvard, and the new communities and really just creating that sense of a home away from home.” 

Hanukkah has been about spending time with family and friends, and this is something that Levenson hopes to bring to Hillel as a Holiday Chair. “It has always been a time to connect with family, to bring some light into the very short days now, especially with the light saving time, yes, and to connect with Judaism. And now I’ve been to college, and I’m hoping to do the same.”

More information, including formal dates for Mystery Macabee and the Hanukkah celebration, will be shared soon. Levenson invites all Harvard undergraduates to ask their friends to join in on the festivities, Jewish identifying or not: “We take you where you’re at, and we’re not a prophetizing religion—we’re here to have fun and to celebrate community. Hillel will remain open till the exam period closes.” 

Sidney Regelbrugge ’28 (sidneyregelbrugge@college.harvard.edu)is excited to eat latkes and gelt with her friends.