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See below for a sample of dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The full calendar is available on the website,

December 6-14
Hanukkah (JU)
Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights is celebrated for eight days commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom, won victory over the Syrians. The legend goes that to rededicate the Temple they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously the candelabra remained lit for eight days. The eighth candle menorah is lit. Special readings and songs of praise focus on liberty and freedom.

December 8
Rohatsu (BU-Zen)
It is the most important holiday in the Zen Buddhist tradition. It is the celebration and re-enactment of Gautama Buddha's final week of effort under the Bodhi Tree ending with his profound awakening. It is traditional in Soto Zen practice to take part in a sesshin (intensive week-long meditation) during Rohatsu.

December 10
International Human Rights Day (UN)
On December 10, 1948, members of the United Nations gathered in Paris to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each year since then December 10 marks International Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the day that the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This unprecedented act was to ensure that the inherent dignity of every person is valued and protected.

December 12
Masa’il (BA)
On Masa’il the fifteenth month of the Baha’i Calendar begins.