A pickle, a menorah, and a dreidel walk into a Christmas tree lighting…

It may sound like the start of a joke but it was a sight to behold at Christopher Newport University’s annual Lighting of the Lawn event. Among the tents toting holiday crafts or wintery treats was the CNU Hillel booth, bringing all the spirit and energy of Hanukkah to the holiday festivities.

In the light of an extra large menorah, students dressed in Hanukkah-themed costumes and told visitors about the miracle of the holiday. Kids and adults alike enjoyed coloring, crafts and played Hanukkah Plinko to win chocolate gelt.

Posters were hung throughout the tent that educated visitors with some basics about the holiday, terminology and even different fried Hanukkah delicacies around the world. One of the most well known Hanukkah treats, of course, are donuts and this year CNU Hillel served a record breaking 35 dozen (yes, that’s 420 donuts!). Hillel students grabbed boxes and napkins to treat patient patrons in long lines at other booths, spreading the holiday joy even further.

While this event was centered around holiday harmony and sharing the joy of Hanukkah, for the students it was more. It marked the end of an incredible fall semester with unmatched energy from the club.

CNU Hillel student president Sammy Foosaner wrote to the Hillel members after the event: “I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing semester. It's truly been a blessing building a thriving jewish community here at CNU. I am so proud of the organization and home we've become. And next semester we'll be even better! I love each and every one of you and thank you for making CNU Hillel truly something special.”

Record-breaking interest in Hillel from new CNU freshmen, an inaugural outdoor sukkah on campus and a larger menorah accompanying the David Student Union’s holiday decor were just a few highlights from the fall semester for these students. The love and light that each Hillel student put into the first half of this year shone brightly during Lighting of the Lawn.

Jewish Peninsula’s CEO Eric Maurer wrote of the event: "Tonight's CNU Lighting of the Lawn was pure magic! The Hillel students brought the Hanukkah spirit in full force. Between the fake snow falling, fresh sufganiyot [donuts] disappearing and the marching band’s spirited rendition of “I Have a Little Dreidel,” it’s hard to say what my kids loved most. But if I had to guess? It was the joy of celebrating together and sharing our light with the broader community. Proud that our Jewish Peninsula is the force behind Jewish life on CNU’s campus.”

And that spirit is nothing short of miraculous.