TODAY MARKS THE FIRST DAY OF HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

Kim Golden forgot to bring her menorah when she returned to school at Thanksgiving so she's making one out of Play-Doh.

Today is the first of the eight days of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights. Jews around the world light a candle on the nine-branched menorah each night, beginning last night with the first.

Traditionally, a candle is lit "as soon as there are three stars in the sky," Golden says.

Families gather at this time to eat traditional foods, including potato latkes, to sing, play games and give children gifts.

In her family, the children received a small gift each day. "The last night we got the big gift, the most special one, maybe the one we really wanted."

Contrary to popular belief, Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas, Golden says. "It just happens to fall at the same time."

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 B.C. after it had been desecrated by the king of Syria.

"Basically it's just a joyous holiday," Golden says.

The highlight of Hanukkah to her is "getting together with the family. Just remembering the miracle of what happened.

"Even though I'm down here, and there are not too many Jewish people around here, it reminds me of my identity."

Golden, who will graduate from Southeast Missouri State University Saturday with a degree in child development, comes from a Conservative Jewish family in St. Louis. She spent a year in Israel after graduating from high school in New Orleans and says maintaining traditions is important to her.

"I don't plan on intermarrying. I do inter-date, but I don't have much choice down here."

Golden tried to start a Jewish student organization last year but not enough people were interested in joining.

Sometimes hearing Christmas carols wherever you go in December gets to be too much for someone who has different customs, she says.

"I'm always respectful of other people's religion ... but sometimes I'm offended that they don't take into consideration other people's things. I don't see any Happy Hanukkah around. But I don't expect that."

Golden does enjoy Christmas. "I like the decorations and lights.

"I don't believe in it, obviously, but it's a beautiful time of year."

Golden said she will light the candles in her Play-Doh menorah despite rules against using candles in residence halls. "I think if people can have Christmas trees I should be able to have candles," she said.