December 7
Today, we’re sharing a reflection from Dr. Raymond Plaza, Senior Director of Santa Clara University’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, which highlights Hanukkah and the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Hanukkah
While Advent is a Christian tradition, we honor other faith traditions that coincide during this time. Today marks the start of the eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah, which commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. In the Temple, Judas Maccabeus found only a small jar of oil that had not been defiled by Antiochus. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Hanukkah 2023 begins on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 7, and ends on the evening of Friday, Dec 15. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah and traditional foods, games, and gifts.
The 82nd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
On this date in 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed in Hawaii. This attack ushered the entry of the United States into World War II and had an immediate impact on our local community. SCU community members served in the military and Japanese Americans from the Santa Clara Valley were sent to internment camps. The anniversary provides an opportunity to mourn the lives lost during the attack, reflect on members of the SCU community who served in World War II, and acknowledge the disparate impact on Japanese Americans who faced hardships because of their ancestry.
Daily Advent Reflection: How do we come together in times of crisis and find peaceful ways for dialogue and engagement?
Raymond (Ray) is responsible for day-to-day activities that include working closely with the Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion to design strategies for the recruitment and retention of faculty from underrepresented groups. He has working relationships with Human Resources, the Office for Student Life, the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development, and Alumni Relations. He also coordinates the Safe Space training for faculty and staff and facilitates the UndocuAlly training as part of his service on the Undocumented Student Working Group.