In celebration of Hanukkah, middle and upper school students connect over candy and traditional Hanukkah foods and treats. Latkes, which are round potato pancakes, and Sufganiyah, or jelly donuts, were provided at the party. Latkes and Sufganiyah are symbolic of the miracle of Hanukkah: the menorah that was lit with a small quantity of oil but burned for eight days straight.

The JSU Executive Board members smile for a picture as they host the Hanukkah party. JSU Executive Board member Jordanna Boxer-Wachler (’24) said the board decided to host the event to bring together the community during the difficult time of the Israel-Hamas war. “The purpose of this Hanukkah party is to bring the Archer community together, Jewish or not Jewish, to celebrate a holiday that is full of joy and connection,” Boxer-Wachler said. “Considering the dark times that we have been going through recently, it is so important that we come together and celebrate these moments of joy.”

Two middle schoolers play dreidel with chocolate coins called gelt. Gelt, the Yiddish word for “money,” are symbolic of the custom of charitable giving during Hanukkah. Students used the gelt as money during their game of dreidel.

Community members laugh, dance and clap along to Hanukkah songs that play during the party. JSU Executive Board member Francie Wallack (’25) said the music was a great way to bring people together. “It was nice to listen to the fun Hanukkah songs while connecting with the rest of the JSU members as a whole,” Wallack said.

Vivianne Arnold (’26) prepares to spin the dreidel as she sits among upper and middle school students. If Arnold’s dreidel had landed with the symbol of “Hey” face-up, she would have received half of the candy in the “pot,” the middle of the circle.

 Students watch the dreidel spin to see whether the player gets all of the candy, half of the candy, none of it or has to place a piece of their candy back into the pot. The Hebrew letter that appears face-up on the dreidel when it lands determines the action of the player who spins it. The JSU Executive Board decided to bring dreidel to the community to celebrate and share the Hanukkah tradition.

Senior Rebecca Lazarus smiles as she spins the dreidel, which lands on the Hebrew letter, “Hey.” Since she landed on “Hey,” Lazarus took half of the candy in the “pot.”

Middle and upper school students gather together to play dreidel as a cartoon latke sings Hanukkah songs in the background. JSU member Ella Dorfman (’25) said her favorite part of the Hanukkah party was meeting new people. “There’s something special about being with people who share your same heritage or celebrate the same things as you,” Dorfman said. “The Jewish community is really small, so it’s special to have such a big group of Jews here at Archer.”