Connecting Hanukkah with an Important Jewish Value

Ever since we were strangers in the land of Egypt, we Jews have been taught to always accept the other in our midst. The term other is a broad one, encompassing more than community newcomers. It incudes the needy, all types of handicapped people, as well as emotionally and mentally challenged individuals.

As the mother of a challenged son I know up close that the fight to be accepted is an uphill battle. That's why when Nicole Katzman -- the mother of an autistic boy -- told me of the unpleasant situations she was exposed to and asked me to co-author a book on an autistic child, I identified with her plight and picked up the baton. I knew she was right when she said the Jewish community needs a book like this. The issue was finding the right peg for a story that would speak to children and adults alike. The minute I discovered that in previous years her son blew out the Hanukkah candles, I yelled out "BINGO!"

This Hanukkah I urge you to read my new book Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles to your children and students. Use this compelling story as the opening for a discussion on how to accept challenged children into your midst. It's the miracle they are waiting for and it will light up their lives.

You can purchase this unusual Hanukkah story through Kar-Ben's online bookstore, Amazon,  B&N, other online bookstores, or ask your local Judaica store.

Wishing you a meaningful Hanukkah.
Tami

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You have to be as Fit as a Fiddle for this Hanukkah custom

Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zuckerman, Joshua Bell, step aside. Come Hanukkah, you'll be playing second fiddle to the Rebbe of the Premishlan Hasidic court in B'nei Brak, Israel. Once the candles are lit and the familiar Hanukkah songs of Hanerot Halalu and Maoz Tzur are sung, he will dance by himself in front of his Hasidim in an increasingly frenzied whirl while his followers enthusiastically sing. Despite the frantic pace of his dance steps he won't collapse. To the contrary. He will prove that he is as fit as a fiddle by picking up his violin and transforming himself into the court musician.  It's the moment everyone waits for and it's a Hanukkah custom dating back a couple of centuries to the Nadvorna Hassidim of Ukraine.

I can understand the frenzied whirl. It parallels the fast spins of the dreidel. But playing a violin? According to Bar-Ilan University professor, Menachem Friedman, an expert on ultra-orthodox society, Hanukkah is a time for lighthearted behavior. No work is permitted while the candles are lit, but the time has to be filled with some type of content that celebrates the victory of the Maccabees. Music is synonymous with many Hassidic sects and the violin is their favorite musical instrument. Why the violin? Maybe because it's portable and as close as they can get to King David's harp. Whatever the reason, playing it on Hanukkah is a custom that strikes the right chord.

While we're talking about notes and chords, enjoy the Maccabeats version of the Hanukkah story.  Compare the classic dreidel song with this contemporary version.  Or, open the piano, get out the violins and start creating your own Hanukkah musical. Make it a class custom that you do every year.


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Iranian Jews Know How to Make Strangers Feel at Home

It's that time of the year when we read about Abraham, the 3 angels and how Hachnasat Orchim -- welcoming guests into our midst -- became an integral part of the Jewish way of life. But are we practicing what we preach?

While none of us go to the pains that Abraham did by washing our visitors' feet, there are Jewish communities around the world who have their own special touch in making guests and strangers feel at home. This past January I brought up a unique custom practiced by Turkish Jews. After seeing a recent CNN Fareed Zakaria GPS piece on Iran, I decided to find out if there is a specific custom practiced by Iranian Jews. Sure enough, there is and it revolves around a tea ceremony.

Iranians use a samovar to heat and boil water, with the tea essence brewing on top. The water is carefully poured into small glasses. If foam appears in the water, it is not served. It must be crystal clear -- a sign of respect for the guest. Rose water -- which has a distinctive flavor and is an important ingredient in Iranian cuisine -- is provided in a separate glass for those who want to add it to their tea. Cookies are served as well. Sugar cubes are placed in a small glass server and handed around, with everyone taking a cube and placing it in their mouth. The tea is now ready to be drunk. All of this is done as soon as a guest enters the house. It's the Iranian way of showing guests they are wanted and respected.

This charming custom should get you thinking. Are you doing enough to welcome new members into your community.  Are you teaching your children the importance of this value? What about new students in a class? Are you making them feel wanted and part of the group? Have you dedicated a specific time and day for a welcome party? Think about how you can create your own Hachnasat Orchim custom that's your cup of tea.


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