For Kurdistan Jews Hanukkah is a Time to Reuse & Recycle

The three “Rs” – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle – have become today’s environmental mantra. As Westerners who really have it all, we never stop to think that there are Jews who don’t need the ecology cause to practice the “Reuse” principle. Take the Jews from Kurdistan and their charming, low budget way of shedding light on Hanukkah’s oil miracle. Kurdish Jews who could not afford a Hanukkiah used eggshells as cups for wicks and oil. There was no egg on anyone’s face because they didn’t have enough money. On the contrary. Eggs were eaten either for breakfast, lunch or dinner and the cracked egg shells were saved for lighting what I call the Eggnukia, every night. Tell your students to scramble home and try out this neat Hanukkiah alternative. Every which way, it gives the correct message – they’ll learn how to reuse and at the same time not take material goods for granted. If anything, maybe it will prompt them to start accumulating their own nest egg for next year’s Hanukkah presents.

For more Hanukkah customs don’t forget to take advantage of Kar-Ben’s 20% discount on Hanukkah Around the World when you shop at Kar-Ben’s online store. Use the special code TAMI when you check out. This offer is available until January 15, 2010.

Chag Sameach...Tami

The Right Book for Giving Hanukkah 8 New Angles

In four weeks’ time we will be celebrating Hanukkah and I’d like to introduce you to my new book Hanukkah Around the World. If you’re looking for 8 new angles on how to present Hanukkah to your class, this is the book for you. It captures everyone’s imagination by transforming Hanukkah into a trip across the globe through 8 original stories revolving around customs, many of which you’ve never heard of. Take your students on an exciting expedition to Australia, Israel, Italy, Poland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and the United States. Each story is accompanied by a sidebar giving you the background of the Jewish population in that country plus a matching native recipe. You couldn’t have a yummier way to celebrate each Hanukkah day. The book provides you with even more added value through its intro with unconventional interesting facts, and the “Potpourri” section at the back that includes 10 more customs.

To whet your appetite, let me tell you which story is my favorite. It’s the one that takes place in Turin, Italy describing a very touching custom linking Hanukkah with Tisha B’Av. The latter is an important fast day that falls through the classroom curriculum cracks because it occurs during the summer vacation. By connecting Hanukkah with this most important day on the Jewish calendar you get a chance to make a lasting link that your students won’t forget.

Enjoy the book and let me know what you think. You can benefit from a 20% discount on Hanukkah Around the World when you shop at Kar-Ben’s online store and use the special code TAMI when you check out. This offer is available until January 15, 2010.

I’ll be back in two weeks with an unusual Hanukkah custom.
Tami