During the spring term of 2001, the University Housing Department, banned candles in University dormitories in an effort to decrease false alarms and the risk of fire. Despite this policy, however, some Jewish students on campus have received candles and menorahs for the celebration of Hanukkah through the mail.
According to Kate Lester, the program director at the Center for Jewish Life, they were sent by Chabad Lubavitch, an international Jewish organization. It is not entirely clear how Chabad acquired the names and addresses of the Jewish students, and CJL Rabbi James Diamond declined to comment on the matter.
It is currently the policy of the housing department that the candle ban is unconditional and there are no exceptions for religious rituals or celebrations. When the ban was instituted during the spring of 2001, steps were taken to make sure that the policy would be fair to all student groups.
Undergraduate housing coordinator Adam Rockman explained that the only way to deal with the situation was to have "no candles, period, whether lit or unlit."
In order to ensure the policy's acceptability prior to its institution, the housing department engaged in "significant discussions with religious groups, including the Center for Jewish Life, and [the housing department] was assured by all the groups that with the ban electric lights could be substituted," Rockman said.
The reaction among some Jewish students on campus, however, has been less than accepting.
Jacob Hodes '02 is one such student who considers the lighting of real candles a central part of the celebration of Hanukkah. Hodes insisted that regardless of the policy he will light candles in his room.
"I don't know how you could go about celebrating Hanukkah without lighting candles," said Hodes. "The idea of an electric menorah is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."
Ian Lampl '02 echoed Hodes' sentiments that the use of real candles is necessary.
"I do not think that an electric candle is a substitute for a real one," said Lampl. He said he plans on walking from his dormitory to the CJL in order to participate in the ceremony, and he agreed that the candle ban makes Hanukkah "much more difficult."
Both Lampl and Hodes added that they have other Jewish friends who do not plan on following the housing department's candle policy.
Students who are caught with candles in their dormitories will have the candles confiscated and be fined by the housing department. There are also strict regulations on the possession of live Christmas trees and wreaths.
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, began Sunday at sundown and lasts for eight days.
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