Artwork by Kiera Classen

The story of Chanukkah begins in strife.

Antiochus, a Greek who was king of Syria, marched with an army of soldiers into the kingdom of Judea, home to many Jews. He insisted that the Jews worship the Greek gods rather than the God they worshipped. When the Jews refused to worship the Greek gods, the soldiers attacked the Temple in Jerusalem and killed countless Jews. They stole holy objects because they were made of precious metals and encrusted with jewels. They even broke the sacred lamp, called the menorah, that stood in front of the holy ark that held the Torah—a scroll with the Old Testament copied down for ages by special scholars.

The lamp’s flame, which always burned brightly, went out. This “Ner Tamid,” the “Eternal Light” represents the spirit of God that accompanies Jews when they pray, which was never supposed to go out. The shamash was a special position in the Temple whose only duty was to keep that flame alive. Specially made pure olive oil was the only kind that could be used. The soldiers dumped the oil all over the floor. As a last insult, they let pigs roam in the Temple. Religious Jews do not eat pork.

The king forbid the Jews from worshiping their one God and said all Jewish men must shave their beards (a prohibition in the Torah) and wear the immodest clothing of the Greeks.

One old man, Matisyahu, wanted to fight to take back the Temple. He went with his five sons into the wilderness, where other families joined them. The men began to fight the enemy anywhere—and in any way—they could.

Matisyahu became sick. He named one of his sons, Judah the Maccabee, the leader of the fighting band. For two years the Jews fought their enemy. The Greeks had war elephants, and one of Judah’s brothers, Eliahu, got crushed in a battle by an elephant. After many hard battles, the Jews recaptured Jerusalem, their holy city and the site of their Temple. The Jews were free! This is one of the miracles of Chanukkah.

One of the first tasks of the Jews was to clean up, or ‘dedicate’ the Temple. They restored the holy lamp—the menorah—but found only enough pure olive oil (the only kind they could use with such a sacred instrument) to last one day. It would take them eight days to make more oil, yet the flames of the menorah burned steadily for all eight days. With each passing day, the flames grew brighter.

From then on, every year at that time, Jews have celebrated with the Festival of Lights on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Candles are lit at sundown for eight nights in a row. Today’s menorahs, called “chanukkiahs” have nine branches. Eight hold candles or oil cups; the ninth branch is for the shamash, or servant light, which is used to light the other eight candles.

For me, the warm light of the fire and my family’s voices rising with mine as we sing the blessings for the holiday are reminders of how thankful I am that the Maccabees fought so I can be free.

Of course, no Jewish holiday would be complete without food! We eat ‘latkes,’ a Yiddish word that really just means a hash brown. We fry them in oil to remember the miracle of the oil in the Temple.

In Israel, a special Chanukkah treat is sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts. There are Hebrew and English songs celebrating the miracle of Chanukkah that any young Jewish child knows. This year, 2011, Chanukkah starts at sundown on December 20th until sundown of December 27th.

Hot, fried potato cakes are a delicious, traditional food for the “Festival of Lights”.

The word “latke” [laht-kuh] is a Yiddish word meaning “pancake or fritter.” Latkes today are made of potatoes (kartofls), onions (tzibeles), eggs (ays), and salt and pepper (zalts un feffer), and are fried in olive oil (eylbirt). They are THE Chanukkah food, served with sour cream and applesauce.

Original latkes were cakes of curd cheese fried in butter or olive oil, but as Jews began to migrate into Eastern Europe, butter and oil grew very precious, and chicken fat was used. Since Jews do not eat meat and milk products together, latke batter was made of buckwheat or potatoes by the Middle Ages.

The Latke Song (Debbie Friedman)

I am so mixed up that I cannot tell you
I’m sitting in this blender turning brown
I’ve made friends with the onions and the flour
And the cook is scouting oil in town.

I sit here wondering what will ‘come of me
I can’t be eaten looking as I do
I need someone to take me out and cook me
Or I’ll really end up in a royal stew.

Chorus: I am a latke, I’m a latke
And I’m waiting for Chanukkah to come
(repeat).

Every holiday has foods so special
I’d like to have that same attention too
I do not want to spend life in this blender
Wondering what I’m supposed to do.

Matzah and charoset are for Pesach
Chopped liver and challah for Shabbat
Blintzes on Shavuot are delicious
And gefilte fish no holiday’s without.

Chorus

It’s important that I have an understanding
Of what it is that I’m supposed to do
You see there are many who are homeless
With no homes, no clothes and very little food.
It’s important that we all remember
That while we have most of the things we need
We must remember those who have so little
We must help them; we must be the ones to feed.

Chorus

Artwork by Ed Gloor

“Shhhhhhhhh.” Usually people hear this because they are disrupting others’ ability to study in the library, but on October 25, it was for the film.

“Being with my friends, in the library, in the school watching a movie, was quite an experience,” said Senior Chimi Youdon. She and a few other students stayed back after hours to enjoy some time with the librarian watching a movie. While they shared plenty of laughs and popcorn, the students were there because of a love of literature. On this occasion, students watched the film Coraline, a 2009 adaptation of the popular book. Using claymation to tell the story, Director Henry Selick depicted the antagonist tricking our heroine with the thoughts of a false utopia, while torturing the world’s inhabitants to follow her grand deception, all to steal the soul of a child. In addition to enjoying a wonderful film, the students got some free popcorn — always a bonus.

Michelle Jensen, the new TJ librarian, says she started the Book-to-Movie night because she wanted to give students something to do after school. “It also allows students to come to the library and see it as something other than a place to study,” Jensen said.

But the librarian was not the only one who enjoyed the night. The students had a great time too. Many members of TJ’s Book Club showed up to the event, adding to the fun they find in the library. Senior Ali Holcomb said, “I loved it; the movie was good, the popcorn was good, and it’s a fun thing to do after school.” Holcomb plans on going to another Book-to-Movie night, because of the fun she had, along with possibilities of movies like Twilight and The Nightmare Before Christmas being shown.

This is not all that Jensen has planned for the library, though. Her grand design includes having a Game Night, where students can come into the library after school and play some classic board games. She has high hopes for the student response to the Game Night after hearing many nice things about the Movie Night. There will be a plethora of the classic games set up around the library, from Scrabble to Jenga to Chess.

As for more Book-to-Movie Nights in the future, Jensen said, “There will be one in December, either Soul Surfer, or something that gets us into the holiday spirit. We also plan on holding a few more throughout the year, probably one every quarter or so.” To sign up for a Book-to-Movie Night in the future, go to the library and sign up on the sheet after the night has been announced. So look ahead Spartans for more movies to come.

Photo by Becca Hansen

On Saturday November 19, 2011 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm the Craft Fair returned to the TJ gym for its 22nd year of business, facilitated by TJ partners and National Honor Society volunteers, offering community members a unique shopping experience, tasty treats, and a book fair.

The Craft Fair in a deeply rooted tradition in which vendors purchase a booth to set up and sell their specialty crafts. Shoppers make their way through the maze of booths that line the TJ gym carrying everything from homemade salsas to knit garments to African art. “It was a good way to see very unique items and get an early jump on Christmas shopping. I went to the craft fair last year as well and love going to see the variety of things it has to offer. I enjoy meeting and talking with the artists that have booths at the fair as well,” said TJ Parent Lisa Hansen.

Many vendors at this year’s craft fair have set up shop at TJ before and have found it to be lucrative. However, the real success is for the school. Shoppers, in addition to purchasing cool crafts, can feel good about giving back to TJ. Different clubs and activities within the school make their own booths to help fundraise and earn money. This year Special Education, Softball, and the Class of 2012 all had booths in which they sold artwork and different goodies. “The craft fair was fun and very interesting. I think it was a good opportunity to raise some money for my class as well as a good event to support different programs at TJ,” said Senior Cole Stewart.

A favorite element of the craft fair for shoppers is the book fair held in the lunchroom. The book fair sells CDs, records, video games, puzzles, board games, and of course books. Shoppers can find good deals on these items; the books usually go for about $1.00 each. The reading material contains literature for all ages with everything from Dr. Seuss to John Grisham books.

The craft fair also features a café for fair goers after their shopping trip. The menu offers breakfast burritos, sandwiches, tacos, and various deserts and drinks. Athletics Secretary Cindy Allen is the purveyor of the food for the café and NHS volunteers help to serve it to customers.

Along with serving food at the café, NHS volunteers help to set up the craft fair and to clean up after the event. “The craft fair was great place for NHS members to get community service hours. We got our hours by helping out all the artists bring in all their crafts from their cars in the morning and then helped them to take their stuff back to their cars at the end of the day,” said NHS Officer Daniel Wakefield.

Photo by Becca Hansen

The TJ Drama department worked diligently to produce the tradition that is the fall play showcasing the newly renovated auditorium, the lighting and sound systems, and featuring a talented cast of upper and underclassmen. This year’s stunning success was a comical tale about young lovers whose lives are manipulated by mischievous fairies, a Midsummer Night’s Dream.

On November 16^th through 19^th the TJ stage was transformed into a world of Shakespearean design, reconstructed by 21st century language and stagecraft. This summer TJ Theater Director and Stage Manager Michael Palmieri took several hours a day to sit down with the original text of a Midsummer Night’s Dream to revise the 400 year old work with the hope of converting it into a modern performance that would appeal to a wider audience. “I have poured my heart and soul into this show since May, working to rewrite the play over the summer. My dreams and expectations were high for the performance,” said Palmieri. “That being said, I had one of the most fantastic crews I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The show exceeded my expectations and the kids did absolutely amazing.”

The production allowed students in the TJ drama department their first opportunity to utilize and experiment with the new equipment installed in the auditorium over the summer. The TJ auditorium received an updated sound system, lighting system, and a new electronically controlled curtain for its stage. ” The new equipment was amazing to use for the production. I think the play went phenomenal. We were able to do things in this show we were never able to do before,” said Lighting Technician Connor Hickman.

The cast for this year’s play highlighted new incoming talent to the TJ Drama Department as well as seasoned actors familiar with the TJ stage. “The play was a really good experience for the freshmen that came into theater this year. They got to see how TJ does drama and get a feel for performing. It was also good for the veteran actors. Speaking personally, it was good for me because I used the skills I had learned from Palmieri and I got to pass it on to new people,” Senior Whitney Hackbarth.

Comments of praise and admiration for the play were received throughout the TJ community that had the opportunity to see the performance.  ”I think Shakespeare in any form is always a good experience for the cast members and audience. I always enjoy seeing different adaptations of Shakespeare and believe that it allows his works to be enjoyed today by all generations. I thought the TJ drama department did a great job on the show with a neat stage, ornate costumes, and good acting,” said TJ Lit Teacher Jacquelyn Raila.

Photo by Abby Montgomery

The holiday season is a time for giving and helping others, which is why each year in November the Thomas Jefferson DECA Chapter puts together Thanksgiving baskets to distribute to families in need throughout the Denver community.

This year, DECA is teaming up with the Interact Club and the Senior Leadership class to create and send out the baskets.  “We do this every year to help families in the community celebrate a holiday that shouldn’t have to do with whether you can afford a Thanksgiving dinner or not,” said DECA Vice President Daniela Cardona.

            With the help from Interact Club and their Advisor Danny Showers, they were able to add turkeys to the baskets this year to give each family a real Thanksgiving dinner.  The leadership class did its part by making and decorating large boxes for the items to go in.  “Putting everything together is definitely more time consuming than you might think, but the families receiving the baskets really appreciate it,” said TJ Social Worker Sharon Kent, who is responsible for organizing the event.

            Each basket contains one turkey, along with other Thanksgiving items including cake mixes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie crust, gravy, green beans, soup, and more.  Ten to fifteen baskets will be put together to send out to different families in the community.  The baskets will be sent out early this week in order for the families to receive them before Thanksgiving.  “It’s an annual tradition that students actually look forward to because it’s a feel good type of program,” said Chapter Advisor Matt Nicolo.

“Part of our mission in DECA is to support our community as best we can, and it’s a pleasure to give aid to any disadvantages some families may have,” said DECA President April Regas.

Photo by Kiera Classen

On November 7^th and 8^th, Thomas Jefferson students gathered in the new and improved gym to participate in Challenge Day, a time when people get to know “the real you.”

Challenge day is a day for students to have fun, but most importantly, get to know who their peers really are.  It is meant to stop hatred and oppression in schools and to make the campus a safe and happy environment for everyone.  The event lasts the entire school day, and is filled with games played in order to allow the students to get comfortable with each other and step out of their comfort zones.  When the games are finished, students are put into a group, which becomes their “small family,” and discuss their personal stories.

Students are told to “drop the water line” and be 100% real, not holding anything back.  The stories are emotional and heartfelt and begin with the simple phrase, “If you really knew me.”

“The whole experience was really emotional and everyone showed a different side of who they really are,” said Junior Allie Cornell, who participated in Challenge Day for the 6^th time.  A hug was given after each story told, representing the support they had from their small family, and everyone around them.

The event started at TJ in 2009 when Samanda Davis, a social worker at TJ, discovered Challenge Day and its effects.  “It first started with a video to the parents and lead to a discussion on how we could benefit from this.  Although we are a small school, we still have that high school ‘stuff’ going on and we needed to break those barriers,” said Principal Sandra Just.  “The video was a positive, but the price was a negative for many of the parents.”  Challenge Day is about $3200 plus travel expenses.  Thanks to Challenge Denver, a group of Denver moms who wanted kids to have the opportunity to experience this activity, TJ was able to offer Challenge Day.  “They began fundraising and became a great resource,” explained Just.

Photo by Kiera Classen

Many of the students had a memorable time throughout the day; some workshops standing out more than others.  “For me ‘Crossing the Line’ was the best because it allowed you to see the people who had the same issues as you,” said Junior Rachel Uyemura.

Cornell agreed, saying,  “You got to really see who everyone was.”  During “Cross the Line,” a series of statements was called out, and if it applied to any of the students, they would cross the line.  It allowed the students to notice that they are not alone in the problems they are facing, and they have many people around them to help them get through their hard times.

The last part of the day consisted of students being able to go up to the microphone and speak what is on their minds.  They were able to make an apology, a thank you, or just read a card they wrote to someone.  Many of the shout-outs were sent from students to apologize to friends they had hurt, or to thank the friends they are grateful to have in their lives.  A few students were bold enough to reveal something they’ve bee keeping below their “water line” and tell the audience who they really were.

Principal Just believes that here at TJ, Challenge Day has made a difference. “When we have people come visit our school, they tell me that the kids are so polite.  I get so used to being around the kids, that I don’t even notice.  There has been a decrease in disciplinary issues with fewer fights.  If we have a problem, we are able to sit down and talk about it to find a solution, and these are the by-products of Challenge Day,” explains Just, who also mentioned that last year at graduation many graduates talked about Challenge Day being a memorable high school experience.  “I was very surprised,” exclaimed Just.

The main goal of Challenge Day is to bring everyone together, no matter what race, creed, sexual orientation, or gender.  “Challenge Day made us open our eyes to how we treat each other and ourselves.  It made us realize how we need to treat others and change our school, and possibly the world, for good,” said Uyemura.

Both Cornell and Uyemura participated in Challenge Day in eighth grade at Hamilton Middle School.  They both agreed that Challenge Day in high school was a completely different experience.  “I knew what to expect since I’d done it before, but it was a different feel than when I was in eighth grade,” said Uyemura.

Just describes how she enjoys that there is a group of students working to keep the love going.  “It was great to see the initial coming together because of Challenge Day over the past two years, and it’s great to see a group of students working to keep the change going,” said Just.  TJ has its own Be the Change committee that works to keep the school connected.  Anyone can join by attending the meetings.  They don’t meet regularly, but when they do, they brainstorm ideas to make TJ and the world a better place.  The meeting time and place is usually announced on TJ’s own news show, The Spartan Edition.

Photo by Kiera Classen

This year, Cornell believed that Challenge Day was very successful.  “I think it actually connected everyone,” she said.  It brought many of the students and staff together and made them understand the different situations going on in their peers’ lives.  “It was a great experience, and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it to others who have the opportunity to participate,” said a smiling Cornell.

Artwork by Kiera Classen

On Saturday, January 7^th, the new TJ Dance Team will be premiering during the first home game for boy’s basketball, performing their best dance skills in hopes of making the team more widely known around school.

The Dance Team is a new group at TJ that was put together by nine junior girls.  The team consists of Emily Cho, Stefany Najera, Dayzaniha Threats, Arial Toliver, Indya Henderson, Kailya Goodman, Jasmine Chacon, Brianna Rutt, and CiCi Karr.  “Not only does the dance team give TJ a lot of school spirit, but I think it also inspires people to follow their dreams,” says Chacon.

The dance team meets everyday after school to practice in order to master their routines.  Cho choreographs for the team, always teaching them new and different dances.  Cho transferred to TJ from DSA, where she was a dance major.  “Although I feel like the team is slightly underestimated right now, I’m excited to prove everyone otherwise at the basketball game when we get to perform,” said Cho.

Their routines are geared to have a more urban feel. “We mostly do hip-hop dance, because that’s the kind of dance that sparked all of our interests the most,” said CiCi Karr.  At the game, the team will be performing to song, Forever by Chris Brown.

The basketball game will not be the end of the dance team’s performances.  The girls are already planning upcoming recitals and are even fundraising for team uniforms.  “We want to make this dance team better as the year goes on, and that is what we plan on doing,” said Threats.

The dance team is on a mission to show TJ a different side to them, in hopes of positive responses. “We’re going to bring something different and unique to TJ’s culture.  We’re different from all other teams, including cheerleading,” says Toliver.  The eleven aspiring junior girls hope that the dance team will expand throughout the year, and for many years to come, as well.

Jeffrey Beal and his Father David.

On August 31, 2011 the Beal family within the TJ community faced a horrific situation when a house explosion sent a husband and father of two to the hospital with severe burns, fighting for his life. TJ’s SkillsUSA has created a fund to help raise money for the Beal family, designed to show support and condolences for the family.

David Beal, father of TJ Spartan Sophomore, was remodeling a house owned by his parents, painting the basement of the home with an oil-based paint when vapors from the paint caught fire from the gas burners of the water heater. The result was an explosion that ripped the house open and ignited Beal, burning 80 percent of his body. He made it out of the home onto the front yard where the firefighters found him. He was rushed to University Hospital where he was in critical condition and given a 5 to 10 percent chance of surviving.

Beal’s sons typically go to work with him on the home. Thankfully, however, that night the boys attended a church function instead.

After a series of surgeries, Beal remains in the Burn Center’s Intensive Care Unit where he will stay for three to four months. His medical bills from the accident are potentially insurmountable.

Beal is an avid cyclist, spending time with his sons riding; they have biked hundreds of miles together. He is known in the community to be a loving father and husband. The family regularly attends their neighborhood church, Celebration Community Church, which has also helped aid them throughout the accident.

The Beal family is a part of the TJ community as well as the CCTM family. The Beal Relief Fund was coordinated by SkillsUSA in order to assist a fellow family within the community through a long and challenging healing process.

The Beal Relief Fund will be accepting donations from November 5 through December 16, 2011. Tables will be set up in the front hall and Jars will be labeled for collection. Donations can also be accepted by SkillsUSA Advisor Jerry Esparza in Room 102 and by Derek Steffes in the treasure’s office. Checks are to be made payable to Thomas Jefferson High School, designated to the Beal Relief Fund.

Beal’s wife Elena Beal remains hopeful stating, “He is making great improvements and should be able to come home in December.”

To find out more about Beal and his latest condition visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidbeal

Artwork by Ed Gloor

Starting this year, Thomas Jefferson students have the opportunity to experience a type of workout every Tuesday, known as Pilates. Special Education Science teacher and Pilate’s expert, Deb D’Andrea instructs students and teachers through a very calming thirty minute workout.

Upon walking into room 117 one can hear very calming, mellow music and see workout mats laid out on the floor the colors of the rainbow. D’Andrea is at the front of the room greeting everyone attending, telling them to pick a mat anywhere.  Once the room is filled with eager students, and sometimes even teachers, the workout will begin. “This is one of the best exercises for the body and its great for cleansing and getting rid of stress,” said D’Andrea.

Pilates is a fitness program that was developed in the early 20th century by a man named Joseph Pilate, in Germany. This exercise was also called Contrology which means control in Greek, because it is believed one has to use their mind to control their muscles. In this routine one helps their flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms, and back.  As of 2005 it was said that 11 million people have begun this great exercise and there are 14,000 instructors in the United States.

The workout starts off with what D’Andrea calls cleansing breaths. She will have students sit up straight and as they take a deep breath in, they will raise their hands above their heads. When they breath out the students are then asked to put their hands back on the mat. After students do this three times, the class is instructed on the next position, which involves participants twisting their legs and arms around each other. This position is known as the pretzel, which stretches the legs, arms, and back. “The other moves that I like to do are called cat- cow, forearm plank, and spine stretches,” said D’Andrea.

D’Andrea is very qualified to teach this class, as she is a certified fitness instructor. In order to do this activity, she had to become certified in CPR and first aid. “I have been doing Pilates for 20 years now,” said D’Andrea. “I teach step, aerobics, and Pilates at the YMCA. I enjoyed the classes so much I decided to bring it to TJ,”

Some of D’Andrea’s most frequent participants are the girl’s volleyball team. “The team alternates girls every Tuesday to come and do Pilates,” said D’Andrea. “Hopefully this will stretch the girls out and we will win more volleyball games,” she said.

If ever stressed out with school work, head on down to room 117 and join the volleyball girls in a relaxing exercise. D’Andrea says everyone is welcome and truly believes it’s a great remedy for one’s health.

Starting and ending at the Pepsi Center, a sea of pink participants in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure either walked or ran in the fight against breast cancer on October 2, 2011.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure began with Susan Goodman Komen herself. At the age of 33, Komen was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away at the age of 36. During her treatment, she wondered how she could make lives better for other women who were also battling breast cancer. Inspired by her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker began the Race for the Cure. You can find more information about the history of Race for the Cure and Susan G. Komen and Nancy G. Brinker at The Race for the Cure website.

According to race officials, 61,591 people attended the race this year. 3,000 survivors and 1,160 teams arrived early in the morning to race. Survivors and supporters all gathered as one to battle against cancer. “I expected it to be a lot smaller, but it was really spread out and really big!” explained Sophomore Gerri Kutz, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. This was the first year Kutz attended the race. Throughout the race, there were entertainment booths that people could visit to receive different sorts of gifts and foods. Survivors were able to visit the “survivor tent” where they received a free shirt and a bag filled with goods.

Not only is the race a good opportunity to be with friends and family to support a great cause, but it is also a chance to share stories with people who have been through the same experiences. Remembering all of the people, Kutz says, “It’s also cool because you get to see people dress up in crazy costumes, supporting something they believe in.” In those crazy costumes, people walk with papers clipped to their back reading “in memory of” and “in celebration of.” It is a remembrance of the lives that are not with them, and the celebration of the lives they are still able to have.

Last year on race day, Kutz’s mother, Karen Buffalo, had just had surgery. “We were driving home from her surgery when we saw everyone in the highway. It was a really special moment,” Kutz recalls.

This year, the total amount of money raised for the signature event was almost three million dollars for the care and treatment of themselves and their loved ones. “It’s great to see the amount of money raised for the race,” said Kutz. 75% of the funds will stay in Denver, where it will become grants for services to detect breast cancer early and treat breast cancer. The other 25% will be sent to the National Komen Award and Research Program to fund international and national breast cancer research programs.

The Race for the Cure is a worldwide phenomenon. All over America, people are taking part in the fight against breast cancer. A few international countries participating include Israel, Italy, Germany, and Puerto Rico.

The Race for the Cure is both a touching and memorable experience. “It’s fun because so many people support other people. They all show up to support one large cause,” said Sophomore Celeste Henderson.

“It’s a great cause and it’s fun to do something bigger than yourself,” Kutz said with a smile.