Christmakwanzakah

It’s that time of year again: the trees are nearly bare, there’s a chill in the air, our winter sports are here, the ski slopes are open for business, and tacky decorations fill the malls. Some people love it, and some hate it. What is this madness? It’s Christmakwanzakah.

Urban Dictionary defines Christmakwanzakah as “a term used by retailers to celebrate all three holidays: Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah, thereby including most of demographics they are selling to.” Despite the pessimism of some, the holidays are a great time of unity and togetherness for many families across the Kehillah community. Although we are a Jewish school, there are many families that celebrate more than just Hannukah.

Sophomore Lena Silberman sometimes celebrates Christmas with her extended family. Lena said, “Christmas is more jolly. For me, Christmas is more of a larger thing, but Hannukah is much more intimate.”

Other Kehillah students felt the same. Freshman Noah Stern said, “I sometimes celebrate Christmas with my grandparents, but I feel like Christmas is more of a gift giving occasion than a religious holiday.”

One misconception about the holidays is that there aren’t many people in this area that celebrate Kwanzaa, when in fact, members of our Kehillah community do observe it. The Alcheck family tries to observe Kwanzaa. Sophomore Leora Alcheck said, “My mom is African, and we don’t connect to that side of the family very much. This provides an opportunity for us to connect.”

Members of the Kehillah community that don’t identify as Jewish see it similarly. Freshman Kaelyn McCauley sees Christmas “as a family thing, where you go to see family and exchange gifts. I don’t really see a religious aspect in it.”

Some see the holidays as a time to be with family, without the label of a holiday. Freshman Kayla Tuchler says, “Every year for New Year’s my family goes to Tahoe.” For many, the season is about traditions, not religion.

Whatever you celebrate, however you see it, the holiday spirit is present in stores, in cards, in advertisements, and in the weather. Some people look forward to the presents while others look forward to being with their family and fulfilling old traditions.

Hannukah came early this year, overlapping with Thanksgiving. Kehillah looks forward to celebrating both Hannukah and Thanksgiving with our annual Thanksgiving concert and Hannukah Party. No matter what holiday or holidays you celebrate, the newspaper staff wishes you happy holidays.

#general