Learning and feeling included regardless of religion was a big part of a Hanukkah school event at the Richmond Public Library (RPL) on Sunday.
Students of the Beth Tikvah Religious School took part in a scavenger hunt and spent an art-filled morning at the RPL to learn and enjoy Hanukkah ahead of the religious holiday this year.
Hanukkah is celebrated from Dec. 18 to 26 this year.
Students from kindergarten to Grade 7 were taken on a tour of the library and began "hunting" around the building to learn more about Hanukkah. They then learned different crafts, including making their own stamps from potatoes and apples.
Rabbi Susie Tendler with the Beth Tikvah Congregation said the morning was an opportunity for the students to "be part of a community" and to use the resources at the library to learn more about their cultures and other cultures.
"There is an extensive Jewish collection in the library and to learn about it, appreciate it, interact with it and utilize it is the best way these children can learn," said Tendler.
"There are never enough opportunities to get our kids to find ways to feel really comfortable in the library."
Parents and grandparents joined the students at the end of the event to sing songs, light a menorah and enjoy a traditional Hanukkah jelly-filled donut called sufganyot.
Despite Hanukkah being a religious holiday that may not be celebrated by everyone, Tendler said it should still be an event appreciated by the community.
"We want kids to know they can have their own traditions being represented, respected and celebrated even though not everyone necessarily celebrates it," said Tendler.
"It's an empowering feeling and I think it is particularly important to our youth to feel that they also belong."
