Some families postponing Hanukkah parties

In some suburban Jewish families, Hanukkah celebrations will be postponed this year.

The eight-day Jewish holiday falls early on the calendar this year. The first night is tonight and conflicts with marathon studying sessions and final exams for many college students.

So while families will still light the menorah each night, some with college-aged children will delay their Hanukkah parties until winter break.

Nancy Finkel, of Buffalo Grove, said her family Hanukkah party will be Dec. 19 nearly two weeks after Hanukkah ends because she and her sisters all want to wait for their children to get home from college.

Finkel said no one is upset about celebrating late, largely because they were all together less than a week ago for Thanksgiving.

“Maybe we can light candles over Skype together,” she joked. “You definitely don't want to celebrate the holiday without your children. It's about getting together with family. It doesn't matter what day it is, as long as we're together.”

Hanukkah celebrations differ, but many families eat potato pancakes and exchange gifts.

University of Illinois senior Daniel Cohen, 21, of Buffalo Grove, said he'll stay at school during Hanukkah and celebrate with his family the week of Dec. 20, after he's done with his final exams.

“We have a pretty big Jewish community at school, so we have a lot of stuff going on here,” Cohen said, adding that he doesn't know of any students who are going home for Hanukkah. Hillel and other Jewish campus organizations often plan activities for students.

Jews are used to their holidays clashing with the traditional school calendar, and Hanukkah isn't one of the more religious. Thus, college students are more likely to head home for Rosh Hashana or Passover than they are for Hanukkah.

Hanukkah is a little more flexible, Finkel said.

“One day of Hanukkah is no more important than any other day of Hanukkah,” Finkel said. “To most of us, it's more important to celebrate together.”