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Eight Things You Didn’t Know About Chanukkah

Eight+Things+You+Didn%E2%80%99t+Know+About+Chanukkah

Everyone knows that Chanukkah means eight nights of presents, but there’s really much more to this holiday. So here are eight facts to wow your friends with between games of dreidel.

1. Hanukkah is the only major Jewish holiday not mentioned in the Torah.

2. The letters on the Dreidel stand for the Jewish phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – “a great miracle happened there.”

3. Hanukkah is celebrated on a different set of days every year because it follows the Jewish calendar which is lunisolar.

4. That which is commonly referred to as a “Menorah” is actually named a “Hanukiah.” A Menorah only has seven candles, whereas a Hanukiah has nine.

5. Potato Latkes are fried in oil as a reminder of the sacred oil that burned for eight nights.

6. The light of the candle symbolizes the light of the soul.

7. Once lit, the candles must burn for at least half an hour.

8. Hanukkah is often regarded as the most important holiday in the Jewish religion because it falls near the time of Christmas.

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About the Contributors
Katie Cion, Editor-in-Chief
The only girl surrounded by a brand-new Bernese Mountain puppy and four brothers (one a twin) Katie Cion is used to chaos.  She believes that she thrives in it, which is one of the reasons she and Inklings are such a perfect match.  The bedlam, she says, “is a lot like home”. A multi-talented member of the Staples community, Katie dedicates her time not only to Inklings, but also TAG, the Yearbook, Student Ambassadors, National Honors Society, and Spanish National Honors Society.  An English lover, Katie’s pursuit of Inklings and journalism helped bring her appreciation of reading and writing into a real world application. “I’m not sure if I want to pursue a career in journalism, but if I do I want to write long-form articles, like in magazines.  It’s so cool to combine the literary and reporting aspects, to see all the work the writer(s) put in, and to have all those little details,” Cion said. With a wide range of articles ranging from news to sports to opinions, Cion’s prowess in the literary field is clearly apparent, as is the pride she takes in her position as Editor-in-Chief this year. “It was so rewarding to know the people I looked up to thought I would do a good job,” Cion said.  “It was nice to get affirmation from people you respect.” With an equally impressive and overwhelming schedule, it is remarkable how well Katie manages herself.  Her composure and kindness make her not only a phenomenal addition to the Inklings staff, but also a thoughtful and capable leader.
Rachel Labarre, Managing Editor
She trades her pointe shoes in for her spiral notebook.  Her dance classes for journalism classes.  Her spot at the front of the stage for her position on the Inklings staff. Rachel Labarre '14 has the unique ability to allow the creativity and passion she has in the dance studio to influence her writing style and work ethic. This work ethic is what gives Labarre the edge it takes to hold one of the most prestigious spots on the Inklings staff: Managing Editor. But what got her there? Labarre’s first claim to fame was her dance career, but there was one thing holding her back. “On top of the problems with my feet that I already had, I broke my foot during dress rehearsal for our big recital,” Labarre said. This forced Labarre to cut back on dance classes the following year.  All the energy and creativity that was once put into nailing a routine needed an outlet.  She found this outlet through writing for Inklings. Labarre landed a job as an editor her sophomore year.  She then went from Editor of Arts and Entertainment to Features Editor.  Labarre’s inventiveness has allowed her to climb the steps to the top of Inklings. “When you write there’s a certain part that requires creativity; whether it’s getting a good angle or keeping your readers engaged.  You have to do the same in dance; whether it’s perfecting the choreography or figuring out what will look the most atheistically pleasing” Labarre  said.  She was able to prove this ability in her article on the Sandy Hook shooting, which got over 50,000 hits.  This passion for the arts and creativity has not only led LaBarre to success on the stage, but in the classroom as well.  

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