By Jessica Sweetman
Disneyland Resort celebrates many holidays this time of year — and so do our cast members! Cast members Anna Rose Good and Sarah Kargar, who are also members of the Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) SHALOM, says Hanukkah is the holiday that defines the season for them because of its focus on family, light and miracles. “Hanukkah isn’t the biggest holiday on our Jewish calendar — that goes to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur — but it is the most well known, so it’s a great time to teach people about our culture and holidays and start conversations about inclusion for Hanukkah celebrations and other celebrations all year long,” shares Kargar, a lead and trainer for Photo Imaging in Disneyland park.
Hanukkah is celebrated with an eightday festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by lighting candles on the menorah each day of the festival. “Hanukkah is the time to celebrate surviving through the darkness, both metaphorical and physical, and realizing that miracles can happen,” explains Good, a lead for Guest Relations.
In addition to the lighting of the menorah, the holiday is celebrated with traditional foods like potato latkes, playing dreidel games and exchanging gifts with loved ones. “My family and I all have our own menorahs that have special meaning to each of us,” Good says. “My brother loves flowers, so he has an iron menorah with a flower theme, my mom has a wood one she made at summer camp and I have my great grandmother’s that’s been passed down to me as the oldest grandchild.”
Sarah’s tradition with her twin sister, who visits during the holiday season, includes a visit to Disneyland Resort. “We always plan matching Disney Hanukkah outfits, and I’ve made us a few pairs of Hanukkah ears, shirts, and even added Hanukkah to some spirit jerseys!”
Disneyland Resort celebrates Hanukkah with musical performances at Disney California Adventure park from Mostly Kosher, a band that honors the traditional holiday with a contemporary spin. “They play klezmer music, a style that originated in Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. I grew up playing and performing klezmer music with my family and I absolutely love hearing it played in the middle of Disney,” said Kargar. The resort also offers Hanukkah-themed merchandise at select retail locations, as well as a few traditional holiday food offerings, such as the loaded latkes at Smokejumpers Grill in Disney California Adventure park.
Regardless of the way you choose to celebrate the season, one thing Good would like those who aren’t familiar with Hanukkah to know is that “giving gifts is not the main priority of this holiday. Hanukkah is more about spending time with family and celebrating the fact that even in the darkest times, there’s a chance for miracles.”
Adds Kargar: “I am truly grateful to live in a time and place where I can be freely Jewish and proud of it and live in a diverse community where everyone can have their own beliefs and traditions.