Celebrating Hanukah Gilboa-Style

Machaneh has been beautiful and sunny with plenty of snow for sledding and snow balls.

Over the past day we have been doing many interesting and exciting activities based around the Hanukah story and traditions.

Yesterday all of machaneh came together for a fun holiday carnival that wound up leading to a conversation about the role of Jewish traditions in our lives and the expression of these traditions in our home communities. After the activity we all regrouped to light the Hanukah candles, this time led by the Chotrim (7th graders) and followed by a long list of festive Hanukah songs. After dinner, chanichim had a relaxing evening watching a movie together.

Today chanichim went on an investigation to discover what freedom can look like in their day-to-day lives, and the power they have to be who they want to be. Following this activity machaneh was taken over by the Greeks! Having being denied their right to practice their religion and live by their heritage the chanichim will need to learn from some of history’s greatest non-violent movers and shakers to overthrow their Greek oppressors and ultimately put Antiochus on trial!