Cultures, Traditions, & Holidays

Culture, Traditions, & Holidays

By Sheryl-Ann Ganitano

During November and  December, many holidays are being celebrated.  I sat down with two teachers and learned about the traditions they celebrate.

Lori Gitin-Garcia, Anderson Elementary School, Hanukkah

Lori and her family celebrate Hanukkah - a Jewish holiday, every year.  This holiday lasts for 8 nights and can begin in November or December.  The dates are different every year because it follows the Jewish calendar.  This year, Hanukkah was celebrated on December 7th through the 15th.

How do you celebrate Hanukkah with your family?

During Hanukkah, the entire family will get together on one of the nights.  We’ll have dinner which usually includes brisket, latke, and jelly donuts.  A game of dreidel will be played which involves gelt-chocolate coins as part of the game.  Adults will also pass out real gelt (money).  Sometimes, gifts are handed out, too.

What would you like others to know about Hanukkah?

Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabees and the miracle that happened with the oil.  The Maccabees only had enough oil to burn for one night but miraculously, it lasted 8 nights.

Hanukkah is not a huge holiday and is not a Jewish Christmas.  It has a different meaning and celebrates the miracle of the Maccabees.

Jenny Splawn, Anderson Elementary School, Santa Lucia

Jenny Splawn, an RSP teacher from Anderson, celebrates Santa Lucia, a Swedish holiday, every December 13th.  It’s a holiday that originated in Scandinavia and celebrates a woman who symbolizes light named Santa Lucia also known as  St. Lucy.  The tradition of Santa Lucia falls in line with the winter solstice, a time when there is the least daylight.  This tradition celebrates the light she brings.

How do you celebrate with your family?

On December 13th, the children wake up early to prepare breakfast for those in bed.  They prepare and serve coffee and baked goods to the rest of the family.  The children are also dressed up as Santa Lucia, Star Boy, Gingerbread Boy, or Tarna.  A girl in the family is usually chosen to dress up as Santa Lucia and is dressed in white with a crown on her head.

What are some ways teachers can teach about Santa Lucia?

Teachers can read books on Santa Lucia.  There are also different crafts like potato stamping or paper crowns.  The history of Santa Lucia can be tied to history and geography.