Colorado State Students Learn About and Celebrate Hanukkah

Colorado State University students will celebrate Hanukkah, which runs Dec. 9-16, with traditional activities hosted by Hillel, the Jewish student organization on campus.

"Part of Hillel’s function is to be a family away from home for Colorado State students," said Hedy Berman, Hillel director at Colorado State. "All students are welcome to attend the Hanukkah festivities, whether to celebrate a familiar holiday or to learn more about an unfamiliar Jewish tradition."

Hillel’s Hanukkah festivities begin Dec. 8 with a statewide Hillel Hanukkah Party at Congregation Har Shalom, 725 W. Drake Road. The party will bring together students from Colorado State and students from other campuses across the state.

The following week, Colorado State Hillel and Colorado State’s Residence Life CREATE Office will host nightly student gatherings in the residence halls. Students will light the Menorah, a candleholder that symbolizes the eight days of Hanukkah, and will play dreidel, a spinning top game traditionally played during Hanukkah. Lighting of the Menorah will take place from 5-6 p.m. at the following locations on campus.

  • Dec. 9 – Edwards and Corbett halls
  • Dec. 10 – Newsom Hall and the Durrell Center
  • Dec. 11 – Braiden and Parmelee halls
  • Dec. 12 – Ingersoll Hall and the Durrell Center
  • Dec. 13 – Edwards and Corbett halls

Throughout the week of Hanukkah, the residence dining halls will serve potato latkes, which are fried potato pancakes traditionally eaten during Hanukkah.

As a community service project, Hillel also will have a Hanukkah booth at the Partners Annual Holiday Carnival at Foothills Gateway, 301 Skyway Dr. The carnival will be Dec. 8 from 1-3 p.m. There, Hillel students will play dreidel and engage participants in other Hanukkah activities and give out Hanukkah "gelt" — chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil.

For more information about Colorado State’s student Hanukkah or about Hillel, contact the Hillel office at (970) 491-2080.