By Ben Beezy, JD/MBA, Class of 2013
On December 10, the third night of Chanukah, Chabad of UCI held its annual (at least when the holiday falls during the quarter) menorah lighting ceremony. The night was particularly meaningful as Chancellor Michael Drake attended as a guest and honorary lighter of the first menorah candle. After giving a heartfelt seasons greetings message to attending UCI students and members of the Irvine Jewish community, the Chancellor climbed a ladder to light the several foot tall menorah located in the courtyard of the Student Center. Shawhin Beroukhim, student president of Chabad of UCI, lit the remaining candles on the menorah. Although many students were concerned with final exams, since December 10 also marked the beginning of finals for the fall quarter, Rabbi Zevi and Miriam were able to lead students in a round of singing and dancing followed by a near endless spread of latkes and sufganyiot. The Chanukah celebration capped off a busy quarter for members of the UCI Jewish community who have had to cope with renewed efforts by anti-Israel advocates to delegitimize the Jewish state. In a brief speech before celebrations began, Rabbi Zevi reminded attendees that the light of the menorah carries a spiritual power that illuminates truth in times of confusion, and provides guidance to those in periods of hardship. The menorah lighting was an important way for UCI Jews to connect and experience Chanukah as a singular community amidst efforts to delegitimize Israel on campus. Co-sponsors of the event included AEPi Jewish Fraternity and the Jewish Studies Department at UCI lead by Professor Matthias Lehmann. Although Chanukah ended on December 16, the Chabad menorah lighting ceremony will be remembered as an important event in the 2012-2013 academic year for its ability to publicize Chanukah, while also unifying the campus Jewish community.