What Are You Doing for Rosh Chodesh Adar?

Are you leaping for joy because this year is a leap year on the Jewish calendar? Have you thought about the fact that one week from this coming Friday you can start singing the Doublemint chewing gum song Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun...?

Yup. This year we've got the twin Adar months of Adar Aleph and Adar Bet. Since Adar is the happiest month on the Jewish calendar, that means we can double our fun. And since Purim is celebrated during Adar Bet, we have an expanded heads up for planning this joyous celebration.

But first, what do you have planned for Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph? Don't forget, it's the prelude to your Purim festivities.

Have you thought about a combined Rosh Chodesh-Shabbat feast?
Hmmm...let's play with this idea. Originally Rosh Chodesh was an important monthly holiday. The shofar was blown, followed by family festivities -- meaning yummy food. On Shabbat we welcome the Sabbath Queen with a sumptuous meal. So, a mini Friday/Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh banquet sounds like a natural. Here are some kosher kid-friendly recipe ideas.

Next, let's welcome Rosh Chodesh Adar with a little fanfare. Blow the shofar please.

This is beginning to sound like a royal procession -- which ties in as well since Rosh Chodesh Adar falls on Friday, and on Friday nights we welcome the Sabbath Queen. Before a royal monarch enters a banquet hall trumpets are blown and a royal flag parade precedes the monarch. A flag for this year's Sabbath Rosh Chodesh Adar Queen? With a coat of arms? Have a look at this. Not only will it get you in a Rosh Chodesh Adar celebration mode, but it will also get you thinking about Purim.

All of this is just for starters. The rest is up to you. Remember: It's your Purim rehearsal and the beginning of two joyful, happy, fun months.





Rosh Chodesh Graphic Credit
Shofar Blowing Photo Credit

Create a Personal Connection to Tu B'Shvat

Here's a question for you -- can you create a personal connection to Tu B'Shvat? Something that centers around trees? Perhaps you (and your students) are working on family trees? Even better, there's a surname in your family rooted to the word tree. For instance the last name Baum is a German Jewish name that literally means tree. Similarly, the name Nusbaum stands for nut tree and Baumgarten means a tree garden.

Why this question? It evolved from the fact that this year Tu B'Shvat has added meaning for me. With the recent birth and naming of our second grandchild I commented to my husband that "we now have two trees!"

Our grandson Alon is named for the mighty oak tree rooted to many stories in the Bible -- starting with a tree named the Oak of Abraham, where legend has it Abraham hosted the three angels. The saga continues today, with the trunk of that strong, impressive tree still standing -- with some help.

Four weeks ago our granddaughter Elah made her entrance into the world. The name Elah is associated with oak, pistachio and terebinth trees. Sounds like a multiple choice test, but this tree 

has a formidable presence as well. After all, the Valley of Elah -- where David fought Goliath -- is named after it. 

While I'm writing this post I'm smiling to myself. Our two grandchildren's names unintentionally continue a family tradition of naming progeny after Biblical trees. It began with my parents naming me Tamar -- the palm tree under which Deborah sat when she carried out her duties as a judge, and the same tree providing us with palm leaves for Sukkot. 

Am I barking up the right tree with my original question -- can you create a personal connection to Tu B'Shvat? There may be a new Tu B'Shvat custom that you can create around it.

Oak of Abraham Photo Credit

Elah Tree Photo Credit 

Palm Trees Photo Credit

A Reader-Friendly Hebrew Lesson for Tu B'Shvat

Every Monday afternoon I hold an English story hour for 8/9 year olds at the Kfar Saba Children's Library. Since none of the kids are native English speakers I've decided to do bi-lingual readings of favorite books that are not too childish in content for this age level. This past Monday I read The Giving Tree, or as they say in Hebrew, עץ הנדיב, followed by a discussion and a DIY story project about a tree.

With a ninth grade volunteer by my side, the book was read page-by-page, first in Hebrew then in English, bringing the "audience" up to speed with the meaning of each page's words. The children loved it, smiling and joining in. When I saw their reaction, it hit me that this could be a great tie-in lesson for Tu B'Shvat. You read in the reverse order that I did, and then take advantage of this Hebrew quizlet that relates to the book. With this quizlet in hand, I'm sure you'll branch out with numerous creative ideas.

Am I barking up the right tree? I hope so. While you probably have The Giving Tree in your library, the Hebrew edition can be easily purchased through Amazon.

Tu B'shvat is less than a month away. Hope this helps you with your lesson plans.

The Custom of Singing Shabbat Songs Sets the Tone for a Warm, Family Atmosphere

Yes it's Sunday, the day after Shabbat. Still, I want you to start thinking about how you can help your students and their parents create the ultimate family experience on a weekly basis -- a sing-along around the Friday night table.

Singing Shabbat Zmirot -- songs -- in between the yummy food served on Friday night is a tradition dating back to the Talmud, where the custom is first mentioned (Megillah 12b). It has continued over centuries wherever Jews are located, which is why you can find lyrics sung in Hebrew, Aramaic, Ladino and Yiddish.

Before I give you a taste of some traditional Shabbat songs, I want to share this Shabbat sing-along song list compiled by the Denver JCC. I like it because it shows how this custom has evolved in America by including some English songs. I looked for them on YouTube. Here's I've Got A Shabbat Feeling. I also found an additional song -- Shababa sung by Karina. Looks like a lot of fun. Speaking of which, how about this song -- Shabbat Shaboom sung by the Mama Doni Band. Looks like Mama Doni and I are on the same wavelength. She also starts her Shabbat countdown with Sunday -- and as a lover of puns I can tell you that she also has created one of the best word twists around. She insists that Shabbat is a Challahday and you know what? She's right!

Have you enjoyed the music so far? Has it given you some good family programming and song sheet ideas? Let's transition to Hebrew with these two simple words for Shabbat sung by the FunkeyMonkeys. Now add the words מה יפה היום -- Mah Yafeh Hayom -- and you have this easy song.

Ready for some classics with a different twist? Try Dror Yikra sung by the Maccabeats or this Yemenite variation sung by Boaz Sharabi. But first and foremost, the overture to every Friday night meal -- Shalom Aleichem.

True, we have to face the music that another jam-packed, fast-paced week is about to begin. Still, there's a light at the end of the 6-day tunnel called Shabbat.  By striking the right note its glow will create a warm family atmosphere. Please pass that message on.

Shavua Tov



Music Notes Photo Credit

Travel Hanukkiah/Menorah Custom: From 18th Century Germany to Today's Apps

If you think today's apps for lighting Hanukkah candles while on the go is a modern invention, you're in for a big surprise. Yes, the Jewish Museum's Light My Fire app for the iPhone is very clever, as is Menorah for Android. But considering that we are a wandering people, Jews must have developed a travel Hanukkiah/Menorah custom way before hi-tech set in.

Sure enough, they did. Have a look at this 18th century German folding menorah. It's perfect for the merchant making many sales miles. 

What prompted me to investigate this custom is a beautiful travel Hanukkiah made by the late Josef Fleischmann, father of my friend Rochelle Treister. 

Josef Fleischmann hailed from Czechoslovakia, where at the age of 14 he apprenticed as a silversmith. Josef eventually married and began to build a family. The winds of war brought him to Canada in 1939 along with his wife and two sons. Apparently economic considerations forced him to pursue other professional avenues; still, he did not abandon his love for creating beautiful and unusual silver Judaica. So, when Rochelle turned to him to create a travel Hanukkiah after airport security took apart her bag because she had an old, battered long tin Hanukkiah inside, he was more than happy to activate his creative juices and golden hands.  This is what he came up with.

On the outside it looks like an elegant pressed powder case from days of yore.  Open it up, and voila!

A tidy travel version. No student, sales person or average traveler  could ask for more.

So...hmmmm....is there a way that you can make your next craft project a travel Hanukkiah?



Hanukkah Candles Photo Credit

Hanukkah Around the World at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Charna Schakow via email. Charna is a teacher at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California. She is a teacher with a mission and that mission is to introduce her students to the different traditions of Jewish communities around the world.

That certainly is up my alley! I was delighted to find out that Charna is using my book Hanukkah Around the World as one of her references, as well as this blog. What particularly thrilled me is the poster project that Charna developed around different Hanukkah traditions.

For Charna's students, getting these posters together is a Hanukkah version of playing Beat the Clock. With the time ticking during a 45-minute lesson, the students are engaged and love every second. Kol Ha'Kavod!

How does Charna do it? Read all about it in her latest blog post. In the meantime, thanks to Charna I'm able to share some of the fabulous posters her students made and give you an idea for a different approach to a Hanukkah lesson -- if not this year, then next!  And don't forget, Passover is just 5 months away. My book Passover Around the World will help you adapt Charna's project idea to your Passover curriculum.

For now, presenting some of the posters made by Charna's students. Enjoy every one.

If you have a holiday project idea that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Start Your Own Dreidel Collection

Here's a custom that will get your head spinning -- giving yourself a new dreidel every year.

That's what I do. I love collecting unusual dreidels, so much so that I had a carpenter make this wood case for my collection. I've opened the door so you can have a peek, but let me show you a few of my favorites.

I adore this colorful dreidel. It looks like it could be the prototype for a home/class arts and crafts project.

In our house, Shabbat Hanukkah has a special spin, thanks to this dual purpose dreidel that also serves as a spice box. 

Speaking of combinations -- this is the best! An all-in-one Hanukkiah/dreidel/Hamsa, the latter for extra luck in playing dreidel. 

Salt and pepper shakers for the festive Thanksgiving/Hanukkah meal? A little bud vase for the table as well? Have a look at the trio on the second shelf.

But the dreidel with the best and longest spin?

You got it. Nothing beats the old fashion wood models on top. Which leads me back to an arts and crafts project suggestion: this year's wood dreidel model with a painted turkey motif. 

It's bound to be a collector's item! 

Another oldie but goodie? Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. Have fun listening while you make this year's model.