Most people think of Santa, cookies, snow, lights and a Christmas tree when they think of the holiday season. For some people such as Dr. Benjamin Kagan, Mr. Brian Whitmore, sophomore Jasmine Moore, the holidays look like something different.
Kagan, a biology teacher, celebrates Hanukkah every year along with Christmas. Kagan explained that Hanukkah came from the Greeks. As Kagan explains Hanukkah celebrates a miracle experienced by a group called the Maccabees. They thought their oil would only last for a day but it actually lasts eight days. “My family really enjoyed lighting the candle and having it burn for eight days,” said Kagan.
Kagan says that keeping his traditions alive is important. “They’ve been around for thousands of years, and keeping them alive and supporting those who started it back then is very important.”
He also hopes that Hanukkah traditions will stay around for thousands of years. “We do not want to stop because they will fade away and no one will really care about where Huankkah came from.”
Whitmore, the testing coordinator, celebrates by going to Riviera Maya in Mexico with his two sons. Whitmore’s family lived in Loudoun County since they were born. “We don’t have too many traditions, but the ones we do have are important.” He says that having a nice place to stay is very important. “We go to a nice resort down there, and ever since then, the kids want to go back.”
He believes that being away from technology allows for more bonding between the family. “Being completely detached from the entire world is something I enjoy doing when we go on this trip.” The holidays are really important to Whitmore. “Holidays are a good time to be around family and to be thankful for what we have and to see people you haven’t seen in a long time.”
Others, like sophomore Jasmine Moore, celebrate with Christmas traditions at home. Moore celebrates by making a special pasta recipe the day before Christmas. Moore’s family also has a game night. “My mom started the tradition because she wanted us to learn the importance of being a family…[she] chose the game charades to play with the whole family.”
“What the holidays mean to me is spending time with friends and family and becoming closer,” Moore said.