The Vanderbilt Menorah Lighting
Vanderbilt Menorah Lighting
On December 10th, the Vanderbilt Community came together to celebrate the 5th night of Chanukah on the steps of Kirkland Hall. Vanderbilt Chabad, Vanderbilt Hillel, and the Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life worked together to host a lighting of the 6 foot menorah at the steps of Kirkland Hall for the first time. To give a open opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and the community to come together to celebrate the festival of lights, the traditional lighting was moved to Kirkland Hall in a wonderful joint effort.
Festive music was played while all enjoyed homemade potato latkehs, homemade donuts, and hot apple cider. As the smell of the sizzling latkehs drifted inside Kirkland Hall and across to the College Halls dorms, more folks came together to enjoy this special time. As the lighting took place, Rabbi Shlomo of Vanderbilt Chabad and Julie Sugar of Vanderbilt Hillel shared the meaning of the festival and gave opportunity for students to light the individual candles in joint prayer. University Chaplain Rev. Mark Forrester took part in the lighting as well as Ophir Ospovat (student president of Vanderbilt Chabad) and Sarah Naids (student president of Vanderbilt Hillel). With the weather holding off perfectly for a special time of fellowship, a crowd of the Vanderbilt Community were able to take a break from the stress of finals and studying and commemorate the triumph of light over darkness.
See all the pictures on our Flickr account here.