With the holiday season drawing near with frigid temperatures and cheerful spirits, families are preparing for celebration in every which way. Among the majority of Shorewood’s population, there are underrepresented yet committed and faithful students who are looking forward to indulging in their heritage this time of year.
Cora Morgan, a junior, has great-grandparents that experienced numerous trials in order to ensure a future in America for later generations. Because of this, Morgan is very passionate about following Judaism all year round, especially when it comes time to celebrate the High Holidays during late Sept: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Because Judaism follows the Lunar calendar, Hanukkah begins on the later evening of Dec 7 and ends Dec 15. During these eight days, a sacred multi-branched candlestick, called a menorah, is lit in order to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. “To celebrate the miracle and the perseverance of our faith and our ability to survive.” Morgan said while explaining its significance. It is also the time to get together with extended family, practice thankfulness, exchange gifts, pray, and indulge in traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, two of Morgan’s favorites.
“It’s less about presents and Christmas movies, and more about family and cultural ties.” Ava Ponomarchuk, a senior, said. Ponomarchuk is proud to be Greek Orthodox, though finds that her religion can feel very isolating at times due to its lack of publicity. Still, Nativity and Nativity Eve is something she will always view as both a chance to honor those who have come before her generation, and as an opportunity to live out the celebration for believers who cannot due to ongoing war.
Based on the Julian calendar, these two dates happen on Jan 6 and 7. This is the only time of year Ponomarchuk is able to wear her Ukrainian vyshyvanka, which consists of an embroidered underskirt, blouse, apron and flower crown made by her relatives. This colorful crown, made up of plastic sunflowers, carnations, and long ribbons, is optional for young girls to wear, for they decide when they find themselves mature.
Alongside this attire, her family must eat 12 symbolic dishes on Nativity Eve to ensure good luck for the upcoming year. Within these dishes, her ultimate favorite is Uzvar, a delicious fruit compote that she waits every Nativity Eve for. Everything that’s served is bought from local European markets and freshly homemade, and this year she’s hoping for her spot in learning the recipes.
Moving from Palestine to America at 4 years old, Ahmad Kameel stays in touch with his Islamic roots by attending a full-housed Mosque, a place of worship, every Friday. This building holds a strong community and charity system that he’s always excited to attend.
On the 9th month of the Hijri calendar, which happens to be March 10 this year, Muslims worldwide have the option to partake in a month long fast called Ramadan. This rules out eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset in order to practice living with intention and selflessness for spiritual development.
To conclude this fast on April 9, they celebrate with Eid al-Fitr for three days. During this time, they pray, eat, and have a gift exchange between themselves. Then comes Eid al-Adha 45 days later, marking the calendar on June 16. This holiday is extended for another three days and is used to honor and show obedience to their God. They do so by sharing fresh cut meat with friends, family, neighbors, and the less fortunate.
This year, Kameel is planning on visiting Palestine during Ramadan to celebrate with his extended family and to accompany his grandmother on her trip home. Here, he can speak his home language, Arabic, and catch up on time missed.
