Chapters all around the Order celebrate Hanukkah. It’s an exciting holiday with lots of food, so why wouldn’t we? In Chabibi BBG #325, Hanukkah is one of our more important times as we host two of our annual events.

Our first event is gift wrapping at the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis. It’s so important to give back to our Jewish community in any way we can, and this volunteer opportunity allows us to do just that. I’ve had the liberty of helping to start this tradition as I had some connections to the JFCS, and I’ve never been happier about how a program turned out. All of the BBGs get together and wrap gifts for families in need while also spending fun and quality time together. This program has been a perfect way for us to socialize while also giving back. Once the gift-wrapping program is over, we move on to our biggest event of the year, the annual Hanukkah party.

Our annual Hanukkah party has been a Chabibi favorite since the first year of the chapter in 2018. It’s always one of the best times to recruit and get freshmen to an event, as it celebrates being Jewish, and everyone gets to leave with a gift. I’ve been on the board before, but this year was the first time I had to plan this event as a N’siah. Considering its importance to Chabibi, I knew it had to be good. Even with some Target ordering mishaps, it was my favorite event of the term. This year, we tried a few new traditions and ended up having a great time. We started with dinner and had some Hanukkah favorites like gelt and star-shaped cookies. Cookie decorating was next, and everyone frosted Hanukkah cookies made into shapes like dredels, menorahs, and gelt. It was so much fun seeing everyone’s creative side come out in the cookies and really express their Judaism through what we know best: food. After cookie decorating, the best part of the night arrived. It was time for the gift exchange. In years past, you registered early and then got someone to get a gift for. This causes stress for everybody each year, so we decided to take a new approach. We did our gifts white elephant style, and it was so fun seeing everyone investigate the bags for the perfect gift. I got an ice roller, lip balm, and a makeup headband, which was perfect and something I am so grateful for! Watching people contemplate stealing or picking gifts was so much fun as well.

All in all, this Hanukkah was incredibly successful. I’m so glad I get to help be a part of the amazing board that runs these programs, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be in Chabibi BBG #325.