Connecting the Fast of the 10th of Tevet to Jewish Genealogy

Today is the fast of Asarah B’Tevet – the 10th day of the month of Tevet, commemorating the day when Babylonian King Nebuchadnetzar blockaded Jerusalem – the first step to destroying our holy Temple on Tisha B’Av, the Ninth of Av. In my November 14th post I mentioned an Italian custom linking Hanukkah with Tisha B’Av, an important Fast Day on the Jewish calendar that falls between the curriculum cracks because it occurs during the summer. It’s true that some of you are on vacation until January 2nd, and that once again another Fast Day will get lost in the shuffle, but I still want to provide you with an interesting way to tuck this day into a lesson plan.
Israel has an interesting take on Asarah B’Tevet. In addition to stressing the historic importance of this fast, it has designated the day as Yom Hakaddish Haklali – the umbrella day of mourning for all Jews whose date or place of death is unknown. Last night I happened on a religious radio program discussing this very topic and linking it to Jewish genealogy. That immediately caught my attention since my paternal grandmother was a victim of the Nazi genocide and to this day the family has no idea as to her exact day of death. The radio panel pointed out that these loved ones lost in time can serve as the bond to family roots. To my surprise, I then discovered that Jewish Genealogy has been transformed into an academic subject taught at and promoted by The International Institute for Jewish Genealogy and Paul Jacobi Center at the Hebrew University’s National Library of Israel.The center is certainly not kid oriented but it might give you some good ideas to pursue. In fact, you may want to use the fast of Asarah B’Tevet as your launching pad for a “Family Roots” project that you can start now and end in June. I’ve already talked about Jewish Genealogy and various kid sources to pursue for the classroom in my June 2nd 2009 post, so you may want to go back and have a look. And you may also want to stop and think about the importance of Fast Days. Yes, we want to make sure they go by fast, but behind each day is a lesson in Jewish history that kids should be aware of. FYI: the next fast day falls on February 25th – Yud Aleph B’Adar. It’s Ta'anit Esther -- the Fast of Esther. While Purim is meant to be fun, fun, fun, without fasting Esther wouldn’t have had the courage to expose Haman and his wicked plot. How’s that for “fast” food for thought for your Purim lesson plan?
Kol Tuv...Tami

Connecting the Jews of Avignon, France with Hanukkah & Rashi

We have just finished this year’s first Shabbat Hanukkah, which brings me to a wine & dine custom practiced by Avignon Jews in Southern France. We all know that the French are masters of haute cuisine and wine making. French Jews have taken on these cultural habits as well, applying them to the evening following Shabbat Hanukkah. That’s when the Jews of Avignon open new casks of wine to sample and toast the holiday. Of course something savory accompanies the wine – sugar dusted beignets. Apparently, this deep fried pastry became a French export, eventually reaching the shores of New Orleans. I have found a wonderful, short video clip to show you how to make this treat. Yes, the voice-over accent is not ours and beignets are certainly not the healthiest dish around for the cholesterol and weight-watching minded, but it’s Hanukkah, so if you want, cheat a bit.

Food aside, how can you connect this custom with Rashi? The link is in the wine. Our great Biblical commentator followed in his father’s footsteps of learning Bible while working to make a living. Rashi was an only child born in Troyes, Champagne, located in northern France. His father was a winemaker. When Rashi was five, his father gave him his first Torah lesson and continued to be his Torah teacher until Rashi reached adolescence. Apparently, Rashi learned the trade from his father as well. Common knowledge has it, that like his father, Rashi was a vintner. His extensive knowledge of the utensils used to make wine comes through in some of his commentaries. The importance to stress to students is not the wine, but “Torah ve Avodah” – Torah study and work…and to that we can say “Le’Chayim”.
Happy Hanukkah…Tami

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

Welcoming the Shabbat Afghani Style

Shavua Tov to all of you.
Since the High Holiday season is behind us and Hanukkah is about six weeks away, I think it’s time we start focusing on our favorite weekly holiday – Shabbat. During my year in America numerous teachers told me that they are always looking for new Shabbat activity ideas. So, I’ve decided that in between holidays I’ll sneak in some neat Shabbat customs from around the world that you can apply to the classroom and family Shabbat programs. I’ve also decided to make this first Shabbat blog a bridge between the past and current events.
The war in Afghanistan makes daily headlines. Because it’s an Islamic Republic and because America is waging another war in Iraq the Jewish focus tends to get lost. So here’s the thing: Just like Iraq once had a thriving Jewish community, so did Afghanistan, with a 2,500 year history. However, by 2004 there were only 2 Jews left.
Today, Afghani Jews primarily live in the United States and Israel. Still they haven’t forgotten many of the wonderful traditions handed down through the generations. One Shabbat custom that I found seems tailor-made for the classroom. Afghani Jews would designate a shelf in their house to “Lich-vod Shabbat” – “In Honor of the Sabbath.” This shelf was more like a weekly treasure chest displaying all the special treats bought during the week in anticipation of the Shabbat. Fruits, baked goods, candies, anything you can think of not ordinarily eaten during the week, were purchased weekly and stored on the shelf until the arrival of the Sabbath Queen. That was the way Afghan Jews made Shabbat special, separating it from the weekday routine.

Do you have any type of shelf in your classroom that you can dedicate to Shabbat? Call it the “Lich-vod Shabbat” shelf and hold a weekly Shabbat Show & Tell, with different students bringing in different goodies every week. The time to enjoy these delectable delights? Friday, of course!You determine the hour – snack, lunch, recess, right before dismissal…it’s up to you and it’s something for your pupils to look forward to.

Have a Shabbat Shalom this coming Friday and every Friday of the year.
Tami

Reach for the Moon with Rosh Chodesh

Sunday night and Monday are Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. Your students might be interested to know that during Biblical times Rosh Chodesh was known as a “ma’or festival” – a holiday of (lunar) light – and was considered a special occasion. Once two reliable eyewitnesses spotted the first sliver of the moon in the night sky, messengers were sent out, informing everyone that the new month had begun. Trumpets were blown, delicious feasts were held, and sacrifices were brought to the Temple celebrating the new moon and month. The Rabbis of the Talmud compared the moon to Israel, since both were active and constantly renewing themselves.

Eventually Rosh Chodesh celebrations receded into the background. Today, it is viewed by many as a woman’s holiday. But there is nothing new under the moon. According to the Talmud (tractate Megillah 22b), women are exempt from doing work on Rosh Chodesh. Rashi elaborated even further by listing the exact tasks women don’t have to do – spinning, weaving and sewing – because of the specific contributions women made to building the Mishkan. It is also believed that Rosh Chodesh is dedicated to women because they refused to physically participate in the creation of the golden calf. Finally, there’s the obvious comparison to the monthly female cycle.

So where does this leave you and your students? First of all, who doesn’t like to eat yummy food as in days of yore? Rosh Chodesh is one more (Jewish) reason to make snack or lunch time a special event. Rosh Chodesh is also a great time to hold a class on the moon and its different phases. I found this link to help you with a lesson plan. Finally, keeping in line with the feminist aspect, dedicate each Rosh Chodesh to a different female Jewish heroine that boys will enjoy learning about as well.

Chodesh Tov…Tami

YEMENITE JEWS CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF NEW BABIES ON SIMCHAT TORAH

We’ve seen how much children enjoy taking part in Simchat Torah, with all the flags and goodie bags. Yemenite Jews extend the joy of children even further by celebrating the arrival of new babies on the first Simhat Torah after their birth. The father or grandfather makes a donation to the synagogue by purchasing a hakafa (circular Torah procession) in the baby’s honor. He then becomes the leader of the specific hakafa. Instead of carrying a Torah scroll he carries the baby in his arms, leading the procession around the block or neighborhood.

This custom might be a good way to help your students adapt to the arrival of a new sibling. Among your many classroom activities surrounding Simhat Torah you might want to include a hakafa for all pupils who have become new big brothers and sisters. Let them bring in a picture of their new sibling along with the name and birthday and help them celebrate their new position in the family.

Chag Sameach…Tami

Crypto Jews & Yom Kippur

An article recently appeared in the Israeli newspaper “Ha’aretz” about the offspring of Portugal’s Crypto Jews and their burning desire to re-embrace Judaism. Since my late father was Austrian by birth but could trace our family’s roots back to the Spanish Inquisition and Expulsion, the subject of Jews publicly claiming they are Christians but clandestinely practicing Judaism has always fascinated me. After reading the article I was prompted to find out if Crypto Jews have an unusual Yom Kippur custom. After all, they secretly light Sabbath candles in their bedroom. Instead of going to Church on Sunday they take their children out to parks and fields where they recount stories from the Bible. Maybe they have a different twist for Yom Kippur as well? Sure enough, they do. The women of Marrano families living in northern Portugal gather together and braid oil wicks while reciting 73 blessings. Mind you, this is not an original tradition. It is mentioned in the Shulhan Aruch, correlating to the fact that G-d has 73 different names. But do any of us practice it? Not at all. We use store-bought memorial candles and simply light them right before Yom Kippur sets in. Leave it to the Crypto Jews to continue this ancient custom.
Why am I bringing all of this up and what does it have to do with your classroom? The answer is simple: It’s detective time again. Your students don’t have to cross the Atlantic to find Crypto Jews. There are Crypto Jews in Texas and New Mexico, and perhaps other states. The rediscovery of their Jewish roots has been an exciting and eventful journey. Wouldn’t it be great to have your class find and contact kids their age who are the descendants of Crypto Jews? How can you do this? For starters, contact the B’nai Israel Synagogue in Albuquerque and ask them if they can help you out. I spent a Shabbat there and I’m pretty sure they will oblige. You might also want to try the Jewish Federation of New Mexico . Once you get some good leads point out to your students that the meaning of the Yom Kippur prayer “Kol Nidre” is “declaring a vow”. Suggest that now is the time for a new vow -- a promise made to Crypto Jewish children that they can trust you and share their secret practices with you.

May this Yom Kippur be a day of productive soul searching.
G’mar Khatima Tova…Tami

Egyptian Jews Use Wheat to Watch the New Year Sprout

We all know these Rosh Hashanah food customs: a round challah to symbolize the cycle of life; apples dipped in honey for a sweet year; eating the pomegranate as a new fruit because its 613 seeds represent Judaism’s 613 commandments; preparing carrot tzimmis because the Yiddish word for carrots is “merren”, connoting “more” – more children, more wealth, more good deeds, etc. But watching wheat sprout? It’s an ancient custom practiced by many Egyptian Jews that can easily be turned into a Rosh Hashanah classroom science experiment. Anywhere between a week to ten days before Rosh Hashanah, the family would scatter grains of wheat on a piece of damp cotton wool placed on a small plate or in a shallow bowl. Alternatively, they would use either barley or lentils. Sure enough, by the time Rosh Hashanah rolled around, the wheat would sprout, signaling the beginning of a New Year and all that it will yield. How can you adapt this to the classroom? Try comparing how quickly lentil seeds take to sprout if they are placed on or inside damp cotton (make sure to keep it damp), as opposed to being planted in fresh soil inside a yogurt container, making sure the soil is always damp and not overwatered.

May this budding experiment mark the beginning of a year full of growth.

Shana Tova…Tami

A Roman Holiday Custom for the Month of Elul

I hope you’ve all had a relaxing summer. We have returned to Israel and I’m back on track with new Jewish holiday customs that you can adapt to your school curriculum.

It’s the month of Elul and school is about to begin. Elul is a time for “Kheshbon Nefesh” -- a spiritual inventory of all that went right and wrong over the past year. It’s pretty heavy stuff to lay on kids, but the right trick can get them thinking. A custom practiced by the Jews of Rome may be just the thing. Vacationing at the Italian seaside resort of S. Marinella, Roman Jews mark the month of Elul by gathering together on the last morning of their vacation to hear the blowing of the shofar, eat a meal of thanks (and we know how yummy Italian food can be), and then distribute charity to the needy.

So here’s what I’m thinking: how about marking the beginning of your school year with a pizza lunch that starts with a blowing of the shofar. Tell your students about the Jews of Rome – how old the community is, how it can trace its origins back to the time of the First Temple, and how they follow age-old traditions. Then turn the pizza into food for thought. It’s fun to munch and think about Rosh Hashana resolutions dealing with how to help the needy. Let each student come up with his or her own idea, then transform the resolution into a year-long project that includes a chart and an individual student report given once a year to the entire class. Don’t be shy about tooting your own shofar. Share your students’ ideas with fellow teachers and turn a Jewish-Roman holiday tradition into an annual classroom custom.

I’ll be back soon with another Rosh Hashana custom.
Until then,
Le’Hitraot…Tami

Visiting Israel Has Become an Annual Summer Custom

Even before the economic downturn, visiting Israel as a family became more economically viable than sending the kids to summer camp. Over the past decade we Israelis witnessed an influx of American families touring our wonderful terrain and making travel to Israel a summer practice. What a wonderful way to celebrate the summer!

Not feasible this year? Here’s the next best thing to bringing your kids over. Watch this trailer for my new book shown above, Zvuvi’s Israel. This playful 32 page book, gorgeously illustrated by Ksenia Topaz, is a “fly’s eye” view of the entire country. The name Zvuvi comes from the Hebrew word Zvuv, which means fly. That means you and your family can see Israel on the fly, whenever you want. Join Zvuvi as he flits from place to place, playing hide-‘n-seek with the reader while he gives you the latest buzz about each site.

You are planning to fly over? Then Zvuvi is the perfect travel companion for your kids and/or grandchildren, ages 3-8. It’s the best way to help kids get excited about touring Israel.

Not bringing the children with you? Give them Zvuvi’s Israel as a gift when you return, showing them all the places you’ve seen. And of course, there's also your school library or classroom, plus other educational institutions that could use fun and informative material on Israel for the younger set.

Come August, Zvuvi’s Israel will be available in Judaica shops and book stores. Right now, you can purchase it online by visiting Kar-Ben’s on-line bookstore.When you do, don’t forget to take advantage of Kar-Ben’s exclusive offer to TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers: 10% off your next order! Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Enjoy Zvuvi and enjoy Israel!

Turn the Summer Vacation Into A Jewish Genealogy Celebration

Meet Gavi Kaplan. Better yet, let me explain to you how I just met Gavi Kaplan.
He’s the grandson of a long lost relative of mine. Gavi participated in my June 1st author appearance at Yeshiva Central Queens (YCQ). Ironically, this time my presentation revolved around my Jewish Heirloom Stories series, which is designed to connect the generations. Staying at other cousins the night before my appearance, I received a phone call from Gavi’s mother, explaining that the minute she saw my name on the school flyer promoting the event, she knew she had to track me down and clarify the blood connection. And yes, I remembered her grandmother. She was part of my childhood, but somehow the family contact got lost through the passing of generations over the decades.

This got me thinking. Since I’ve done some minor genealogy hunting of my own, I know that an annual international Jewish genealogy conference is held every summer in a different venue (BTW – this August it will be held in Philadelphia). I also know that other than Tisha B’Av, there are no Jewish holidays during the sultry summer months to write customs about. So I started to jell an idea that I want to throw out to you. Why not make the summer months a Jewish Genealogy celebration? Give your students something fun and interesting to work on over the summer – an opportunity to be family detectives and trace their roots. Give them some help by providing a reading list:
• Climbing Your Family Tree: Online and Off-line
Genealogy for Kids by Ira Wolfman
• The Kid’s Family Tree Book by Caroline Leavitt
• Roots for Kids: A Genealogy Guide for Young People by Susan Provost Beller
• The Great Ancestor Hunt: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are by Lila Perl Yerkow

I have done several interactive presentations revolving around my Heirloom Stories, asking kids to bring in family heirlooms and tell the tales behind them. What I’ve seen is an enthusiastic involvement on the part of both kids and parents. For instance, what did Gavi bring in? Photos of the needlepoint made by his great-great-grandmother showing the story of “The Judgment of Solomon”. He proudly explained the story and how this needlepoint has been handed down from generation to generation. Telling stories like this is another wonderful way to trace family roots. Visit my website to find out more about my Jewish Heirloom Stories: Mayer Aaron Levi and His Lemon Tree, and Lotty’s Lace Tablecloth. Each has a separate section at the end where the reader can write his/her own heirloom story.

“Holiday” is the British term for vacation. How appropriate. Now is the time to turn the upcoming summer vacation into a Jewish genealogy holiday.
May your students have an interesting and happy “holiday.”

A Shavuot Custom That’s a Cut Above the Rest

Many of us have seen a lot of papercuts in the form of a Mizrach or Ketubah hanging on walls in Jewish homes. Papercutting is not something new to Jewish life. It began in the Middle Ages when in 1345 Rabbi Shem-Tov ben Yitzhak ben Ardutiel’s ink froze while he was writing a manuscript. A resourceful fellow, he did the next best thing – cut the letters into the paper. Around the 17th century, papercutting became a popular form for small religious artifacts like mizrachs, and guess what – Shavuot decorations too! By the 18th century, Eastern European Cheder and Yeshiva students were creating intricate lace patterns of flowers that they called Shavuoslekh (little Shavuot) which they displayed in the windows of their homes.

If you’re looking for a creative Shavuot classroom activity, this is it! Of course, no one expects you to come up with an intricate Shavuot papercut like the one above that I found on Google Images.

Try adapting these snowflake papercut instructions by transforming the flakes into flowers. Don’t wrinkle your nose and tell me to cut it out – you can do it!

Speaking of cutting it out, I know I can be a nudge, but don't forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers. Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order at their online bookstore. Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

That's all the cutting up for now.
Have a Chag Sameach...Tami

Shavuot & Jewish American Heritage Month

Let’s put customs aside this time and focus on history. An article appearing in today’s Jerusalem Post reports how President Obama praised Jewish American Heritage Month -- a May event for the past three years. Having recently visited the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, my curiosity was immediately piqued: could there be some type of historic event connected to Shavuot?

Surf, Google and ye shall find… sure enough, on May 28, 1773, Rabbi Raphael Chayyim Isaac Carregal of Hebron (pictured above along with the poster announcing his sermon) gave a Shavuot sermon at the Touro Synagogue that attracted the attention of Reverend Ezra Stiles, who was Minister of the Second Congregational Church of Newport, Rhode Island. Reverend Stiles eventually became President of Yale University. This was not the first time that Reverend Stiles went out of his way to hear the visiting Rabbi. In fact, the two became close friends.

Ask your students to become detectives. Find out what these two close friends talked about. What important words are found on Yale University’s seal? Is there a connection to Rabbi Carregal? Is there a connection between all of this and President Obama’s reflection that “Jewish American history demonstrates how America's diversity enriches and strengthens us all.”

Speaking of President Obama, in his proclamation he also notes that the Jewish American community has demonstrated that “Americans can choose to maintain cultural traditions while honoring the principles and beliefs that bind them together as Americans.” That brings me back to holiday customs. I’ll see you next week with one more quick and fun Shavuot custom you can do in the classroom.

Le’Hitraot…Tami

Shavuot Is The Original GREEN Holiday

One of the customs associated with Shavuot is decorating the synagogue with branches and leaves. I remember when I was a child my father applied this custom in our home, adorning framed artwork with branched leaves during the two-day holiday. There are several reasons we do this: among the holiday’s many names are Yom ha-Bikkurim – the day of the first fruits, and Hag ha-Katsir – the harvest holiday. Some Biblical commentaries add an additional twist to this custom. Since another name for Shavuot is Zman Matan Tora'teinu – the time we received the Torah (actually the 10 commandments) – it’s our way of remembering that the Torah was given to Moshe on Mount Sinai, a mountain with greenery. Another explanation is that baby Moses was hidden among the river reeds and we recall the way he was saved by using greenery for decoration.

A more relevant 21st century reason is that Shavuot was the original GREEN holiday. We read about our ecology-minded ancestors every year in the Book of Ruth. It is Ruth’s idea to glean the leftovers. One of Boaz’s servants explains to Boaz that Ruth is the Moabite woman who returned with Naomi and requested: “I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves." While the story then revolves around Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, beyond the message of tzedaka and helping one’s kinsmen, there is another lesson to be learned. Are the leftovers in the field Grade B harvest? Not at all! They are simply grain that has not been collected during harvest time. Both Ruth and Boaz understand that the grain should not go to waste.

Can we create a contemporary custom for this holiday? Absolutely. Just look to the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (JCDS). When we first came to Providence this year I read about an edible garden using a mixture of store bought and composted soil being planted at this school under the supervision of fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jamie Woods. In an article published by the Jewish Voice and Herald, Mrs. Woods explained that “Judaism teaches us to be shomrei adama, guardians of the earth.” Mrs. Woods continued by elaborating on a very important Jewish law: “Bal tash’hit, which means not to destroy, is the concept that teaches us not to be wasteful, but to protect our natural resources. The establishment of an edible school garden has been a vision of mine for more than a decade…With the help of a dedicated garden team made up of teachers, parents and community members, the JCDS edible garden will become a reality this spring.”

What perfect timing for Shavuot – the original Bal tash’hit holiday. Planting a garden in the Fall so that students will harvest its produce in the Spring, making sure nothing goes to waste. Ruth and Boaz would be proud. It’s something for all of us to think about come next year. In the meantime, this year plant the seeds of this idea by discussing it with your students so that they will be ready to take part in a new Shavuot custom. As for Mrs. Woods and the JCDS, all I can say is Kol Ha’Kavod and Todah Rabah.

See you soon with more existing customs and new custom ideas.In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for Tami Lehman-Wilzig Kids Books readers. Go to Kar-Ben Publishing’s online bookstore and get 10% off your next order. Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Chag Sameach

Yom Ha’Atzmaut with the Author

This past Sunday I had the privilege of participating in a live video “Q&A with the Author.” These twelve 5th graders attending the Congregation Har Shalom Religious School located in Fort Collins, Colorado, appeared on my computer screen (and I on theirs) in order to engage in a pre-Yom Ha’Atazmaut celebration that entailed asking an Israeli-American children’s author why she moved to Israel 31 years ago, what she likes the most about Israel, which holiday she likes celebrating the most, plus a host of other well thought-out questions dealing with life in Israel, as well as my writing. This live electronic event was one of the more memorable episodes of my sabbatical year here in the States and it has prompted me to create my own Yom Ha’Atzmaut custom. From now on I will do up to five live “Q&A with the Author” on life in Israel during the days around Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

Perhaps it’s the Shaliach inside of me, but when school librarian Judy Peterson (pictured here with the class) told me how hard it is to get kids to connect with Israel, I spontaneously suggested we hold this live meeting using Skype. The truth is she wasn’t the first to express this concern. I’ve been hearing it all year, wherever I go. This time around I instinctively felt that a small school so far away deserved attention. I was right. Here’s what Judy emailed me later that day:

Hi Tami,
It was such a pleasure to meet you "face to face" today! The kids really enjoyed the conversation, as did I. You answered their questions so thoughtfully and fully and really gave them some things to think about. I hope you enjoyed the conversation as well and that it gave you an idea of what kind of misperceptions these kids have about Israel.
It's so wonderful when we can employ modern technology in the education of our children, and for our kids to "meet" good Jewish role models such as yourself. If you’re willing, maybe we can do something similar again next year.
Best regards…Judy Petersen

I’ve already told Judy that she’s on for next year. There will be new fifth graders with new questions about Israel. If you’re interested in helping me get this custom more widespread contact me:tami@tlwkidsbooks.com

In the meantime, Chag Sameach….Tami

Celebrating Independence

As I mentioned in my last blog, we have now entered the “Freedom & Remember” season. When it comes to Independence Day, Israel does it back-to-back. Fallen soldiers are honored on Memorial Day, which like Yom Ha’shoah is marked with sirens and on-the-spot, standstill attention. In typical Jewish time, as soon as the sun sets uncontrollable happiness breaks loose over having an independent state.

We all know that Israelis are openly expressive. They show off their joy through some goofy customs – like hitting people on the head with a plastic hammer, or squirting their neighbors’ faces with shaving cream. But, they do have another side connecting today with the Jewish yesteryear of long ago.

Like what? Here are two examples you might want to adapt to your classroom:

• On cue, all Israelis take part in a Yom Ha’atzma’ut barbeque. “Big deal,” you’re saying to yourself, “Americans do that too on July 4th.” So here’s the BIG DEAL connecting Israelis with yesteryear. Remember all those Temple sacrifices that the Israelites offered for every holiday? While modern Israelis don’t engage in that ritual, barbequing fresh meat on Yom Ha’Atzma’ut can be viewed as the contemporary way of expressing thanks for having a modern Jewish State.
This is literally food for thought for you and your students. Have the cooks in your kitchen, or your PTA, grill some hamburgers and hotdogs and serve them alongside Israeli salads that the students can help prepare. Need some recipes? I found these variations of the classic Israeli salad:

• Another custom that bonds modern Israelis with their past is the annual televised Bible Quiz held on Independence Day. This is a VERY BIG DEAL, as the contestants are not only from Israel – they are young students from all over the world. So here’s another idea: hold your own Bible quiz and connect it with today’s modern Jewish State. How? Let’s say you ask a question dealing with King David. Have a map and picture presentation ready to show where the City of David is located and what it looks like today. You can do this with dozens of Biblical events and personalities. Let the Bible stories they’re learning about come alive through a virtual tour.

Customs aside, throughout this year I have been told by numerous teachers, librarians and parents that it is getting harder and harder to connect kids with Israel. They feel it’s a dangerous place. They have a good life in America and they don’t understand why they have to worry about having a Jewish State. There are numerous answers, but I’ll just give you a few.
• Dangerous? Yes, I’ll agree that Israel is not located in the best of neighborhoods and terror is a threat. HOWEVER, throughout our 31 years living in Israel I don’t ever recall any Israelis going on crazy shooting rampages in schools or public places. Even better, by the time my kids were 5 years old they were going to the local grocery by themselves, sent there by me with a short shopping list. From first grade on, once they finished their homework I never saw them until suppertime because they were outside with their friends, playing without any adult supervision. Did I worry? Not at all.
• The Good Life: We’ve got it as well. The country is dotted with malls, country clubs, and all types of entertainment venues – from movies to extreme sports. Plus, we have all the technology you have. In fact, you can thank us for some of that technology. Pass this on to your students: thanks to Israel, you have mobile phones and you text message on them. “WHAT???!!” you’re asking. That’s right, “Made in Israel.” And that’s just a tiny example of what Israel has given the world.
• One BIG Mishpacha: Israelis certainly don’t behave like Americans. More like relatives who never hesitate to tell you what to wear, what to eat, why you should do this or that. And that is exactly the point. We are all one BIG mishpacha – family. You don’t need a direct blood link in Israel to feel like family. The warmth and hospitality is overwhelming…and if you need help, let me assure you that you will never feel at a loss.

I could go on (most Israelis tend to do that). But I’ll stop here and with unbridled pride wish you a Chag Atzma’ut Sa’me’ach!

What You Can Do for Yom HaShoa – Holocaust Memorial Day

Yom HaShoa – Holocaust Memorial Day – is neatly tucked in between the last day of Passover and Israel’s Memorial/Independence Day celebrations. I call it Jewish precision planning, revolving around the Jewish mantra “REMEMBER.” Remember that we were once slaves in Egypt. Remember that the Nazis tried to destroy us.

In Israel it’s a lot easier to remember. Like clockwork at 10 a.m., air raid sirens blare forth for two minutes. The whole country literally comes to a standstill. Schoolchildren stand at attention next to their desks. Even cars on the highway brake to a halt; drivers get out and solemnly stand still on the road.

You could try simulating a moment of silence in your classroom and school. Better yet, Yom HaShoa is a wonderful opportunity to read a relevant book to your students. With today’s elementary school students being third and fourth generations away from the Holocaust, they don’t share the same emotions we did at their age. It is our job to connect them with this major event in the not so distant past that almost destroyed most of the Jewish world.

I have been doing interactive presentations on my book Keeping The Promise ever since it came out in 2003. The photo above is the beautiful display created by Elayna Weisel, the librarian at The Rose and Jack Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education of Broward County, who arranged a wonderful author's tour for me this past November. Presenting Keeping The Promise was part of that tour. I can tell you that kids are spellbound by Holocaust stories. Whenever I finish reading this timeless tale of a Bar Mitzvah secretly celebrated in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp I always get the same response from every group of students. First they applaud and then they immediately ask: “Is that a true story?” I have yet to do a presentation on this book where this question is not asked, and right away. That says something. Kids want to connect. They want to feel that there is a direct link between their Jewish history and where they are today. Once I answer “yes”, inevitably there is always one student who gets the ball rolling by stating: “my grandmother/father (or great-grandmother/father) escaped the Nazis”. Then the discussion begins.

There are so many wonderful, true Holocaust stories for children. Pick the one you feel best suited for your class and give it your all when you read it out loud. The sirens don’t have to blare to get them to be quiet. You will appreciate the sounds of silence in your room as your students absorb every detail.

If you’d like to find out more about my book Keeping The Promise please visit my website and click on the book tour section.

I’ll be back next week with some Yom Ha’Atzmaut customs from Israel. In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers. Go to Kar-Ben Publishing’s online bookstore and get 10% off your next order. Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

LET THE PASSOVER FUN CONTINUE

After the Seder, then what?
Yes, the Seder is the main event, but we don’t want children to lose sight of the Passover message after the Seder is over. How can we get across the concept of freedom during Hol Hamoed, or if we want to stretch it, on the first day of school after the Passover vacation?

Here’s a quick, cute and fun way. It’s one of the most creative Passover customs that I’ve come across. On the 7th night of Passover the Ger Hassidim in Jerusalem get together in their shteibel (small synagogue) to reenact the crossing of the Red Sea. They throw a barrel of water on the floor, lift up their long coats and “wade” through the water, calling out the different names of towns on the way to Ger. In contemporary kid terms, they create their own mini water park. What and how you do it in your class or at home, are up to you. One thing is certain: it will be a splash!

Chag Sameach.
Have a wonderful and meaningful Passover.

Play-Full Passover Customs for the Seder

With Passover right around the corner, we’re all asking: “how can we make this year’s Seder different from all Seder nights in the past?” The answer is simple if you incorporate a few Sephardi customs plus one from Hungary, and tie them all together.

If you’re familiar with my book Passover Around the World you know that Turkish Jews literally have a first act to their Seder. As the Seder leader breaks the middle matzah in half and covers one part for the afikomen, a designated guest leaves the table, slips into a costume, returning as an Israelite – much like the illustration above from my book.

They then put on a little play that goes like this:

A knock is heard at the front door.

Seder Leader: Who could that be?
The Seder leader gets up and opens the door wide so everyone can see the guest.
Seder Leader: Where are you coming from?
Guest: The land of Egypt
Seder Leader: What!! You’re no longer a slave?
Guest: No. Now I am free.
Seder Leader: And where are you going?
Guest: To Jerusalem

At that point everyone sitting around the table applauds and the guest is invited in.

I’ve discovered two more customs that sound like a lot of fun and easily complement the Turkish script. The first one comes from Yemen, where in many households it was the Seder leader who pretended to be one of the Israelites. Using a wood cane, he would walk around the table, telling everyone about his life as a slave and the miracles he witnessed. Let’s say we stick with the Turkish script and give it a Yemenite twist. After everyone applauds and the guest steps in, the guest circles the table, recalling life as a slave. When s/he finally sits down, a custom practiced by some Egyptian Jews can then be incorporated – tying a piece of Matzah into a small sack made out of a napkin, placing it on one’s shoulder (the same way a slave would carry an object), then passing it around the table from shoulder to shoulder. My suggestion here is to continue the play. Have everyone say something as the matzah “sack” is placed on his/her shoulder. Finally, let’s get the Ashkenazim into the act with a custom practiced by some Hungarian Jews. They decorate their Seder tables with gold and silver jewelry as a way of remembering the precious metals the Egyptians gave the Israelites, hoping that the plagues would stop. My suggestion: when you reach the 10 plagues, stop either before or after the 10th plague and have some of the Seder participants pretend they are Egyptians offering their jewels to the Israelites, begging them to end the plagues.

If I’ve gotten your creative juices flowing, write up the entire script and try it out in the classroom, at your home Seder, or both. Want to share it with me? Send your script to tami@tlwkidsbooks.com and I’ll post it.

Interested in more customs? Please visit my website to find out about my book Passover Around the World.

Finally, a quick reminder: Don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers! Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order. Go to their online store and use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Purim Stands for Precipitation

What’s the meteorological connection with Purim? Coming from Israel, I can tell you that the rule of thumb is it always rains on Purim – it’s the last winter downpour. Now that I’m in Providence for the year, and we’ve just experienced a classic, major snowstorm, I’m beginning to wonder if it will snow on Purim. If it does, ironically I just stumbled on a Bukharan Purim custom that will fit the bill. Since Purim always coincided with the snowy season, Jewish Bukharan children built a snowHaman next to the synagogue. His head was large with charcoal eyes, a carrot nose and a beetroot mouth (sound familiar?). His hat was made out of a broken pot. Meanwhile, his physique was equally odd -- funny-shaped torso with long thick elephant-like legs. This snowHaman was not meant to melt naturally. After the meal, the whole community got together and surrounded their snow creation with wood, rags and paper – all of which were used to light a large fire. With the fire lit, they sang Purim songs while watching snowHaman melt in the heat. So if Mother Nature decides she wants to give us one last blast of freezing snow this Purim, you might consider this fun way of keeping warm outdoors.
For your classroom: Explain the origins of Bukharan Jews

True, I did say one custom per holiday, but I just couldn’t resist sharing this with you.

I’ll be back after Purim with an unusual Passover custom. In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for Tami Lehman-Wilzig Kids Books readers. Go to Kar-Ben Publishing’s online bookstore and get 10% off your next order. Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Purim Same'akh!

This Purim, Let’s Take a Look at the Country Where the Holiday Began

Iran and its President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are making headlines all the time. Having a modern-day Haman bent on the destruction of the Jewish State feels like déjà vu. It also makes me curious as to how Iranian Jews celebrate Purim. Here’s what I’ve found:

When Israel was established in 1948 the Jewish population in Iran numbered 100,000. By 2006 that number had dwindled down to a little under 11,000. For obvious reasons, I can’t tell you exactly how Jews in Iran observe Purim today, but I can tell you what happened in the past.

While Purim provided Iranian Jews with a reason to celebrate, by and large it was considered a serious holiday. The story of Purim was so much a part of the Jews' consciousness, that they traveled to Esther and Mordechai’s tomb throughout the year. The tomb – located in the city of Hamadan – still stands and is considered an important shrine thanks to Esther’s status as Queen of Persia. Want to see the tomb?

If Iranian Jews couldn’t make it to Israel and the Kotel HaMaaravi (Western Wall), this was the place to go to cry and pray.

For the Jews of Iran, Purim was very much a part of their persona. Religious and secular Jews kept “Ta’anit Esther” – the Fast of Esther observed the day before she revealed her Jewish identity to Akhashveirosh and told him about Haman’s plot to kill the Jews.

Jewish children in Iran did not get dressed up in carnival costumes. They did make a Haman puppet with a triangular hat and pull the puppet on the floor behind them, as though he were their slave. Since the date of Purim was very close to that of the Iranian New Year, children often received gifts and coins. That certainly sounds like the same influence Christmas customs have had on the way we celebrate Hanukkah!

What about Hamentaschen? That’s another Western invention. The favorite Purim dessert for Iranian Jews is halva with the consistency of a Mexican flan. Halva is associated with events of happiness – such as weddings – and sadness, such as a shiva. Purim is the perfect bridge. It begins with the misery of Haman’s evil intentions but ends with the merriment of victory. Nothing honors the holiday better than mouth-watering halva carved into different theme designs and decorated with almonds, saffron, pistachios and other goodies.

If you want to go all the way, do a web search for an Iranian Halva recipe. Here's one I found.


Try whipping it up with the kids in your class; have them also make a Haman puppet and enjoy an Iranian-style Purim!

In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for Tami Lehman-Wilzig Kids Books readers. Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order at their online store: Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.

To find out more about my books please visit my website
See you soon...

Jewish Holiday Customs Around the World for the Classroom

Shalom:
As many of you know, I am in Providence, accompanying my husband on his Sabbatical at Brown University. I am using this year to travel the country, giving presentations on my books at JCCs, Jewish Day Schools and Hebrew Schools. What has struck me is the year-round interest in my book Passover Around the World. This Sydney Taylor Honorable Mention (2008) has 8 original stories revolving around Passover customs in America, Israel, Gibraltar, Turkey, Ethiopia, India, Iran and Morocco. It also has a “Potpourri” section that includes an additional six customs from around the globe. From the moment this book hit the bookstore shelves, the enthusiasm has been tremendous. So much so, that my publisher Kar-Ben/Lerner commissioned me to do a second book – Hanukkah Around the World – which is scheduled to appear Fall 2009. As my book writing credo is “Added Value”, I have decided to extend it even further by creating a blog dedicated to Jewish Holidays Around the World. Approximately a month before each holiday, I will describe and explain one unusual custom from a foreign land. Interested? In order to automatically receive my blog, all you have to do is contact me: tami@tlwkidsbooks.com
Do you have colleagues that might be interested as well? Send them either my email address or the address of this blog: http://www.tlwkidsbooks.blogspot.com/
To automatically receive blog updates, please subscribe to my RSS feed.

Exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers! Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order at www.karben.com! Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.