Finals week is almost here and few students are safe from the stress it brings, but one campus organization hopes to relieve students of their tension by hosting three days of traditional Jewish dancing, games and food.

Hillel, a national organization for Jewish college students, hopes not only to educate students on Jewish culture, but also have fun doing it.

The events will be held during finals week, Dec. 10 — 14, which happens to fall during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Aaron Moskowitz, a sophomore math education major and vice president of Hillel, explained the story behind the holiday.

A few thousand years ago the only Jewish temple in Jerusalem was attacked by the Romans, Moskowitz said. The Nerta Mid, a candle also referred to as the “light of life,” was lit. It contained enough pure oil to last one night, but continued to burn for eight nights, hence the eight nights of Hanukkah, he added.

To celebrate this holiday, Hillel will hold Israeli dancing lessons and play Dredle, a game involving a spinning top. Moskowitz encourages students to bring change to play with. At the end of the week, all change will be donated to a charity.

Food will be offered during the events, such as potato pancakes called latkes and sufganiot, pastries that resemble jelly doughnuts.

For Monday’s activities, Moskowitz invites students to bring a gift costing $5 or less. Gifts should be brought in brown paper bags so that students can grab a bag at the end of the night.

Hillel also plans to visit Hope Haven the Sunday before finals to play Dredle and eat with the residents.

Helping the community is nothing new to Hillel. Dara Rubinson, a sophomore special education major and religious chairwoman of Hillel, said Hillel collected money last March and donated it to the ARC art gallery in Chicago.

The donations celebrated Rosh Hashana, literally “Jewish New Year.” This holiday is in either late-September or early-October, depending on if there is a leap year. Rosh Hashana always falls on the first and second days of the month of Tishre on the Hebrew calendar. During this holiday, families pray in a synagogue in the morning and evening for two days, asking their relatives for forgiveness.