News

The Ultimate Hanukkah Party Hosting Guide

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

December 5, 2025

1. Create a latke bar with different types of toppings and sauces. Offer classic toppings like sour cream and applesauce, but also include unique options like smoked salmon, avocado, and various flavored creams.

2. Hanukkah is all about light, so make that the focus of your decor. Combine candles, clear strung holiday lights, and even a disco ball for a twinkly atmosphere.

4. Organize a 鈥渇riendly鈥� dreidel tournament with small prizes for the winners.

5. Celebrate the miracle of oil by hosting a fried foods potluck. Invite your guests to contribute the best fried foods from their own cultures, and share stories about each one.

6. Make your very own Hanukkah candles or build your own menorah with creative materials.

7. Decorate Hanukkah cookies! What鈥檚 more fun than getting to be creative while making yourself a sweet treat?

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Holidays

International Student Cabinet

Jewish Identity

How I Own My Star

Author

Abi Schcolnik

Date

December 13, 2023

My commitment to my Jewish identity was always strong, but took shape when I decided to leave my home in Uruguay to attend university in the United States. If I was going to go so far away from home, my mother strongly urged me to pick a school聽with a big Jewish community that could support and care for me. I chose the University of Miami (UM) for its rich Jewish life and its large, active Hillel.听

From the day I walked onto campus, I signed up for every Hillel event and program available. Nourishing my Jewish self and letting it grow into a powerful part of my identity felt even more important as I adjusted to being in a different country and culture. I knew I could always find a place in the Jewish community. This comfort and joy also inspired me to take on leadership positions, both at UM Hillel and with the 糖心vlogl Student Cabinet.听

Since October 7th and the start of the Hamas-Israel War, I feel pain and grief daily, both on behalf of our global Jewish community, and more personally, in connection with my cousins and friends who live in Israel and are directly impacted by the war. While the President and administration at UM continue to be actively supportive of Jewish students, I have lost friendships over conversations related to Israel and antisemitism. I have also experienced backlash for my identity and opinions, and have had to hide aspects of my Jewish identity and connection to Israel in order to maintain my own safety.听

In response, I for my Judaism and my community. When I see pictures and videos on social media of people sharing their Jewish pride and owning their stars, it reminds me that I鈥檓 part of a global family that carries rich values and traditions that inspire my life. #OwnYourStar reminds me that I am a Jewish citizen of the world and that I have a responsibility to share my love of Judaism and the Jewish people with everyone I can.听

With all of the pain and heartache of the past two months, it is a source of joy to light Hanukkah candles every night with my family and watch the small flames brighten the dark night. Those lights bring me hope that the Jewish people will continue to bring light to the world as we go through this moment of darkness.听

#OwnYourStar is a 糖心vlogl call to share visible Jewish pride on social media this Hanukkah. Learn more here!

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News

What is the 17th of Tammuz?

Author

糖心vlogl

Date

July 5, 2023

What is the 17th of Tammuz?

The summer months mark the biggest gap between holidays in the Jewish calendar. They also contain the period of time known as the Three Weeks. Beginning with the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and ending with the Fast of the Ninth of Av, Tisha B鈥橝v, the Three Weeks are a time of mourning and commemoration of historical loss for the Jewish people. We remember the loss of Jewish sovereignty in our homeland with the destruction of the Second Temple and we remember millennia of exile and persecution. And then, at the very end of Tisha B鈥橝v, we turn to hope; we speak about joy and national redemption, and we turn our attention to the coming of the New Year, Rosh Hashanah.  

The 17th of Tammuz, the fast day which marks the beginning of the Three Weeks, commemorates the day that the Romans broke through the walls of Jerusalem during the siege of 70 CE. It would take them three further weeks of battling through the streets of Jerusalem to destroy the Temple on the 9th of Av, effectively ending Jewish sovereignty in Israel for the next two thousand years. 

Along with the specific commemoration and mourning associated with the 17th of Tammuz, this time of year is used to commemorate the thousands of years of antisemitism that the Jewish people faced and continue to confront today. 

What is antisemitism?

The Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism as  鈥渄iscrimination, prejudice, or hatred toward Jews.鈥滵uring her remarks at 糖心vlogl’s Global Assembly in December 2022, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt emphasized that, at its core, antisemitism is a conspiracy theory that places Jewish people at the center of a network of power that nefariously influences the world. 

Another widely used definition of antisemitism is from the , and it states, 鈥淎ntisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.鈥� Some examples of antisemitism under this definition might include the dehumanization of Jewish people, blaming Jewish people for circumstances outside of their control, and using symbols or images associated with classic antisemitism to characterize Israel or Israelis.听

Understanding antisemitism is an important part of commemorating the Three Weeks and these definitions can help inform personal and communal observances of this time. 

To learn more about the history and impact of antisemitism, click to watch 糖心vlogl鈥檚 three-part video series on understanding antisemitism. 

Ways You Can Commemorate and Honor the Three Weeks:

The Talmud teaches, 鈥淲hen the month of Av begins, joy dwindles.鈥� Below are some traditional customs and observances to mark the decreased joy of the Three Weeks:

• Because this is a period of mourning, people generally don鈥檛 plan weddings, parties, or public celebrations. 
• Some people abstain from haircuts and shaving in order to physically embody their grief.
• It鈥檚 common to refrain from going to concerts or listening to music because music inspires joy.
• The last nine days of the period, beginning with the first of the month of Av, occupy a special status. During this time (again, aptly named 鈥淭he Nine Days鈥�) some people avoid eating wine, sweets, and meat because these are considered pleasurable foods. Others avoid bathing, doing laundry, or buying new clothes (beyond what is absolutely necessary).

The Talmud also teaches that the Second Temple was destroyed because of the sinat chinam, or 鈥渂aseless hatred,鈥� people had for each other. While the term 鈥渂aseless鈥� can be interpreted in different ways, the core of this idea is that hatred is a destructive force that erodes families, communities, safety, and everything holy. In addition to the traditional customs listed above, here are some rituals and practices to lessen sinat chinam in your life:

• Double down on Ahavat Hinam (unconditional love): Take a moment every day during the Three Weeks to call or text someone you haven鈥檛 spoken to in a while. Go out of your way to be kind to strangers. Compliment a friend on something they did or said. Leave a glowing online review for a small business.
• Gather your people: Host your crew of friends or family to show love for people who often get overlooked, drop off donations of new toys to children鈥檚 hospitals, or make cards for people living in your local assisted living facility.
• Exercise calm and restraint: If you find yourself getting frustrated at the grocery store checkout line, the DMV, the post office, or sitting in traffic, try practicing mindfulness and deep breathing to move from irritation and frustration to patience and acceptance. 
• Invest in people and organizations: Whether with time, money, or other resources, the Three Weeks is an invitation to support the causes you care most about.
• Repair repair repair: If you are holding any grudges or experiencing tension with any friends, family, or coworkers, this is a great moment to initiate healing. Whether you find complete resolution, or you begin to chip away at the tension, repairing relationships is a powerful antidote to sinat chinam. (Note: This is only recommended if it鈥檚 safe for you. Not all relationships merit repair, and we urge you to exercise your best judgment and to seek support if needed.)

Observances and practices created by the Center for Jewish and Israel Education/Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Experience

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