There isn’t one specific reason why I love the holidays so much. I no longer have to fight triple-digit heat and can finally throw on an ugly Christmas sweater and a pair of joggers to combat the cold. This alone is a major seasonal win for me. I also enjoy that it gets darker outside earlier now, because it means the holiday lights in my neighborhood cheerfully light up the streets.
Spending the holidays with family and close friends is another gift that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I must also mention that having two small children adds a special kind of magic that renews the holiday spirit. Seeing my kids meet Santa Claus, taking them to Zoo Lights, and opening their presents under the Christmas tree add to the joy of having children. This truly is my favorite time of year.
As I am sure it is the same with most families, December is also a hectic month. Holiday shopping, Christmas parties, and so much more, there are definitely times when it feels like a whirlwind. Where it can get a little chaotic for my family is the fact that we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. And because my wife and I are very holiday-centered people, we seek to make the most of this wonderful time of year for our family.
The Chabad Jewish Center of Hillsboro is hosting its annual Hanukkah celebration called Light Up Hillsboro. The event will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 4:15pm at the Jerry Willey Plaza located at Orenco Station, 943 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. Everyone is warmly welcome to take part in the festivities, and it will be a great way to connect with the community.
Light Up Hillsboro offers free admission to anyone who wants to attend and will be a great activity for your family. The festivities include a public menorah lighting, a captivating experience that represents the beauty of community and belonging. Hanukkah is usually celebrated in Jewish households, so taking one of the eight nights to celebrate with our neighbors will be a special moment.
Furthermore, there will be donuts, fresh latkes, music, and even a fire show for spectators to watch during the celebration. Beach Pace, the mayor of Hillsboro, will also be present at Light Up Hillsboro and will help to lead the menorah lighting. Not to mention, the menorah that they use is pretty tall. It’s not like the typical 12-inch ones found in most Jewish households.
Hanukkah is an eight-night celebration of the Jewish festival of lights, and this year it runs from the evening of December 14th to December 22nd. This important Jewish holiday is celebrated by lighting a main candle, called the Shammash, to light the other candles on the menorah. Each night, there is an additional candle that is lit until all of them are lit together on the eighth and final night. Many fun activities surround this ceremony, including singing songs and eating latkes and sufganiyots, which are similar to jelly donuts.
The simple and fun game of spinning dreidels is another everyday activity. The dreidel is arguably more symbolic for Hanukkah than the menorah is. This fun game tends to be a favorite among children, though I do catch myself seeing how long I can spin it. Our 2-year-old is still making her best attempts at spinning it, and our baby enjoys watching her dedication to the game.
Each of those eight nights celebrating Hanukkah is a little way for our family to connect with this ancient practice, which has been observed every year since 164 BC. In other words, Hanukkah this year will mark 2,190 continuous years of celebrating it. Hanukkah connects us with our present moment to our thousands of years of history and tradition.
For those looking for other Hanukkah celebrations in addition to Light Up Hillsboro and spinning dreidels at home, the Jewish Federation of Portland has a calendar of events worth checking out. They are also hosting a Hanukkah celebration for young adults ages 25 to 45 called The Power of Light: A Hanukkah Celebration. It will be part celebration and part workshop to explore the deeper traditions of Hanukkah. This event is $10, with the first beer included, and is well worth attending.
My family adores the holidays. From Hanukkah to Christmas, we are grateful to take part in both holidays, even if our schedules get a little hectic because of it. What matters most is spending time with each other and creating memories that will last for generations. But before I get too sentimental, it’s time to take the kids to see Santa Claus.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.