Shabbat: Why It's So Important

It's Friday and we're all getting ready for Shabbat. In an unusual departure from my posts on holiday customs, I am providing you with a link to a wonderful and insightful article written by Shoshana Michael Zucker, a self-educated Jewish scholar living in Kfar Saba. This article clarifies why Shabbat is a much needed day of rest, and why it is the glue that keeps the Jewish people together.

Shabbat Shalom to all.
Tami


Photo credit

From Cochin to Vancouver -- Candle Lighting Customs that Bridge Shabbat & Hanukkah

Wherever we look on the Jewish calendar we always seem to be lighting a candle or two. Shabbat candles, Havdallah candle, festival candles (e.g. Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot) and Hanukkah candles. Since Shabbat is our weekly mainstay for recharging our batteries (these days, that too is a source of light) and Hanukkah is just several weeks away, it's nice to know that some candle lighting customs bridge the two.

Less than a hundred years ago the Jews of Cochin maintained the custom of welcoming the Shabbat by lighting stone lamps called kallu vilakku located at the entrance of their homes. It wasn't the woman who lit the candle but the synagogue Gabbai. Using a torch lit from the Ner Tamid -- the Eternal Light hanging in front of the ark inside the synagogue -- he would go from house to house, lighting each lamp. What did a kallu vilakku look like? This is my hunch based on a Google search.

While this clearly is an adaptation of an Indian custom, it's the Jewish Cochin way of saying Hey, it's Shabbat!

I haven't found a Cochin Hannukiah that resembles the above, but let's examine the Hanukkiah lighting custom in the Israeli community of Meah Shearim, and as I've just discovered with this photo, the Jewish community in Vancouver.

The Hanukkiah is also found outside, positioned near the home's entrance. This custom is found in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b) where it is stated that Hanukkah lights should be placed outside the doorway of the house. In other words, a way of announcing Hey, it's Hanukkah!

My question to you: Where are you going to light candles on Shabbat Hanukkah and how are you going to connect the two?

My craft suggestion: In addition to the Hanukkiah usually made in class or at home, how about making two clay oil lamps for Shabbat candles?

Any other suggestions? Send me an email and I'll post it.


Shabbat Candles photo credit
Hanukkah candles photo credit
Kallu Vilakku photo credit
Vancouver Hanukkiah photo credit

Book Time for Experiential Learning

Even though I live (at least) 6,000 miles away, I do travel to the States every year, keep up with many of you through email, and read about Jewish educational trends. While the PEW survey is the latest talk of the town, a careful examination of the results shows that there's a direct tie-in to another discussion -- the need for experiential learning in Jewish education.

I've heard from many of you about the latter and the need for it. All I can say is: you are so right! To make a positive Jewish impact on your children/students' lives you need engaging activities.  So, please excuse me if I take a week off from posting customs or interesting news from Israel for kids, and use this opportunity to plug my books. Much more than just a library title, they are alternative textbooks for the classroom, not to mention fun books to have at home.

I'll start with the Bible.

Tasty Bible Stories offers a delicious way of bringing the Bible to life. Read each story in the book (every one is written in a breezy, hip tone) and combine it with a cooking class by whipping up the matching recipes following each tale. It's definitely a way to get your students to sink their teeth into Bible stories.



Green Bible Stories for Children brings the Bible to a different level, making it relevant to 21st century ecological concerns. From bio-diversity to noise pollution, this eye-opening book shows that even long ago the Bible provided the original blueprint for environmental protection. This book consists of eight engaging stories told in a kid-friendly fashion, each of which is followed by 2-3 relevant, easy-to-do experiments or projects.

Next on the list -- Jewish Holiday Customs

My love for holiday customs did not start with this blog.  It all began with this book.

By reading Passover Around the World together with your students/children you will be able to create an unforgettable model seder in school or family seder at home. Take a trip across the globe by reading stories dealing with playful customs created by Jewish communities from as far as Iran to as close as your own backyard in North America. Can a child in the 21st century experience what it was like for the Children of Israel? In virtual terms, yes, if you follow the traditions in this book. And don't forget the delicious recipes accompanying each custom!

Hanukkah Around the World puts a different spin on this holiday that is so often referred to as the "December Dilemma" (fortunately, not this year). Why connect Hanukkah with Ho, Ho, Ho gifts when it has a story all of its own rooted to Israeli soil? Even better -- a variety of interesting, fun-loving customs created by Jews as far away as Australia and Italy. I especially love the Italian custom because it literally ties in with Tisha B'Av -- an important memorial day that never makes it to the Jewish school curriculum because it occurs during the summer. Finally, you will have a chance to make a meaningful connection but you'll have to get the book to find out how and why. Is there a food angle as well? Yum, yum, yes, with a recipe for every story.


Family Stories -- The Glue that Binds the Jewish People

Last week a friend of mine brought up an article recently published by the New York Times. Dealing with family stories, it reinforced the importance of giving children a sense that they are part of a larger family. Family tales ground children by giving them a feeling of stability and continuity -- exactly the ingredients we Jews need for the continuity of our people. For the past six years I have been going around the United States, giving presentations on my Jewish Heirloom Stories.

Each of these books -- Lotty's Lace Tablecloth and Mayer Aaron Levi and His Lemon Tree -- deals with a specific Jewish value revolving around an unconventional heirloom and the story behind it.  My presentation on these books is one of my most popular "talks" because I give kids an assignment -- bring in a family heirloom and tell the story behind it. It's not just the kids who love doing this "homework." It's the parents as well. They are eager to tell family tales.  These books provide them with the perfect venue by offering pages at the back of each book to write down a personal story. How do I know these books are valuable additions to every child's personal library? Lotty's Lace Tablecloth was recently made a PJ Library selection.

Find out about my other books by taking a virtual book tour. Interested in a presentation on Shabbat Customs Around the World? Perhaps a virtual author visit? I offer these as well. All you have to do is contact me to get more information.

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to explain how I can be part of your experiential learning program.
Bye for now. I'll be back next week with a new holiday custom.
Kol Tuv.
Tami

Rally Round this Simchat Torah Flag Custom from Poland

An apple for Simchat Torah? Never heard of that one, but I just found out that it's the choice fruit of Polish Jews, who stick it on top of every Simchat Torah flag handed out to children.

Why an apple? No, it has nothing to do with the fact that we're getting ready to read the story of Adam and Eve (BTW: they didn't eat an apple; more likely a date). It's a metaphor for the words spoken by the Israelites when they received the Torah on Mt. Sinai (maybe we should be baking apple cake for Shavuot?) -- first we will do, then we will listen. Apparently, an apple tree bears its fruit first and then the leaves come out. In more contemporary terms we could say that for Jews, the Torah is the apple of their eye.

In short, this Polish custom proves that from Rosh Hashanah to Simchat Torah, the apple gets to the core of our being.

Chag Sameach.


Apple photo credit

Pass on an Important Jewish Value Through This Moroccan Sukkot Custom

Looking for a social action/mitzvah project for your class, or for you and your family? A Moroccan Sukkot custom proves that sometimes you don't have to look further than your own backyard to do a good deed.

Sukkot is a time for Ushpizin -- the Aramaic word for guests. A widespread tradition for Jews around the world -- be it in the United States, Eastern Europe or the Middle East -- is to virtually invite a different Biblical guest (e.g. Avraham, Moshe, King David, etc.) during the seven days of the holiday to "join" the meal. While this is a wonderful learning opportunity (and a great custom to follow as well), many Moroccan Jews push the envelope by inviting a different poor person into their Sukkah every night as a replacement for a Biblical celeb. Not only do they reach out to the needy, but they make him feel like a king, placing him/her at the head of the table and providing a lavish feast.

The way I see it, this is an example of Jewish living at its best. Together, a family celebrates. Together, a family reaches out. Together, a family feels pride in belonging to the tribe.

Chag Sameach!

























Sukkah photo credit

Before Rosh Hashanah Begins Tunisian Jews Get Ready for Yom Kippur

For Tunisian Jews Yom Kippur is not for the Faint-Hearted! That's precisely why they have developed a unique pre-Rosh Hashanah custom. It will remind you of the post Succot tradition of tacking full cloves into the Etrog in order to turn it into a creative Havdalah spice.

Here's the deal. Tunisian Jews are mindful of the fact that fasting can affect one's physical well being, to the point of dizziness and fainting. Therefore, before Rosh Hashanah they take a quince fruit, roll it in ground spices, wrap it in a towel and let it sit covered until Yom Kippur. By the time Yom Kippur rolls around the same beautiful yellow quince is now brown, and let's face it, pungent! The strong odor helps people get through the fast day, and makes the day go by fast.

I have no idea what becomes of the quince once the fast is broken. Perhaps it becomes part of a pile of compost? Maybe it's used for Havdalah? But that's not the point. What's wonderful about this custom is that it can provide children with a meaningful and fun activity. It will make them feel part of the Yom Kippur tradition, even if they are not fasting. Seeing that they are creating a home-made "revival" fruit for the adults they love so much -- be it parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- they will also inadvertently tap into the ancient tradition of viewing a quince as the fruit of love.
You gotta love this custom. Happy quince hunting.



Quince photo credit

The Jews of Rhodes Have Different Symbolic Foods for Rosh Hashanah

Don't be fooled into thinking these are cherry tomatoes. They are superbly crafted marzipan cherries, similar to the marzipan treats that the Jews of Rhodes make for Rosh Hashanah.

They are part of the Rhodes recipe for a sweet year. In fact, the Jews of Rhodes eat a variety of symbolic foods quite different from the menu we are accustomed to. In addition to marzipan they make a white, lemon-flavored fondant to symbolize purity (and I assume sweetness). Several foods are made in a round shape to represent continuity and wholeness. The lineup includes a festive ring-shaped bread, savory pies, pastries and round, stuffed vegetables.

Salt on the table for Rosh Hashanah? Never. Only sugar. I don't have to explain why. And then there the foods that the Jews of Rhodes avoid eating.  Anything sour or bitter is shelved until after the holiday. Similarly, food goods like dark raisins, black olives and eggplants are scratched off the list since their color is associated with mourning.

While I normally hesitate to write about the cooking customs of different holidays, I couldn't resist this time around. I love the symbolism of the Rhodes Rosh Hashanah table. Tell your children and students about it.  Maybe they can come up with additional ideas.




Marzipan photo credit