ISSN 2158-0170 קהילה

Hanukkah Special 2011

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel!

Kehila קהילה

Hanukkah Special #1

Hanukkah 2011/5771

Editor & Publisher: Talisha A. Harrison

Published By: Talisha A. Harrison

P.O. Box 520392

Longwood, FL 32752

Printed by: Talisha Harrison

Editor: Talisha Harrison

Design: Talisha Harrison

Cover Photo: Photograph courtesy of Microsoft Clipart.

KEHILA is a quarterly online magazine that gives a voice to Jews of

Color while educating and informing the Jewish and non-Jewish

community as a whole.

© Talisha Harrison 2011

Printed in the USA, all rights reserved.

KEHILA welcomes comments from our readers. Please send

comments to:

Email: KehilaMagazine@gmail.com

Table of Contents

From the Editor’s Desk

Preparing for Hanukkah

Song Lyrics

Blessings & Dreidel Game Instructions

Recipes

Did You Know? Some Facts About Hanukkah

Crossword Puzzle

From the Editor’s Desk

Shalom and welcome to Kehila’s second Hanukkah special! It’s

been a while since the readers have heard from Kehila and

though this isn’t another issue, I can assure all of you that a new

issue will be debuting next year in the spring! A few changes have

occurred at Kehila and I’ll go through them later in this letter. But

first let’s talk a little about this special!

There are many things in here-old and new-to help you get ready

for the festival of lights. Here you’ll find helpful tips to prepare for

the holiday, as well as some picks for movies and songs, as well as

a few recipes. So I hope you will enjoy this special. Now about the changes occurring at

Kehila.

First off, Kehila has a new home at wordpress. As of right now the name of the site is: http://kehilamagazineofficial.wordpress.com/ (it will change to KehilaMagazine.org

next year).

Secondly, Kehila has a new logo! It’s not as streamlined as I

want it to be but it’s much better than the logo:

Thirdly Kehila has a new email address:

KehilaMagazine@gmail.com and is also on Google+.

Finally Kehila no longer has a Facebook group page as

there will be a forum on the new website. Instead now has

a fan page on Facebook which is:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kehila-Magazine-

%D7%A7%D7%94%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94/24277162576906

6

As always please follow Kehila on Twitter @KehilaMagazine and check out Kehila’s store

on Zazzle (http://www.zazzle.com/kehilamagazine).

Well now that you know what’s been going on during Kehila’s break, I hope that you’re

excited and that you’re looking forward to a new issue in the spring. I wish you a

wonderful Happy Chanukkah and enjoy this special.

Chag Urim Sameach!

Tali Adina

Preparing for Chanukah: Great Ideas for celebrating the Festival of Lights

Chanukah is finally here and you might prepared and all set to go. This might be you and your family’s very first Chanukah, or you might be a season veteran. Whatever the case may be, here are some tips for enjoying these eight crazy nights!

Getting Started:

If this is your first rodeo, then you might not know where to begin. First of, you’ll need the basics: a menorah, Hanukkah candles, and a driedel. Once you have these items, you can then build upon from there. If you need a Hanukah guide to help you get started and to learn about the holiday and/or to teach the youngsters, then Big Tent Judaism.org Has a nice guide entitled Hanukkah: A Guide for Newcomers that you can download for free from their website: http://joi.org/bigtent/?sec=find&page=hanukkah.

Party Ideas:

If you want to have a Hanukah party, then you should plan ahead. Get those invitations out early. The invitations set the mood and you should pick out the one that you feel suites you. You can buy invitations at a store or you can create them on your computer or via a website.

Christmas isn’t the only holiday where numerous decorations abound. Hanukkah also has them and they are important too. And whether or not you’re having a party, decorating your home helps to make the kids and you really get into the spirit of the holiday and plus it’s fun decorating! Party City has a whole lot of decorations, and there are many sites where you can order decorations.

Food and drinks are vital to having your party be a success and we have a few recipes that you can try in the Recipe section.

Activity Ideas:

To keep the party festive and upbeat instead of down and boring, activities are a great way to keep your guests or family entertained. Here are a few:

You can also make your own candles for the menorah. Many craft stores and online retailers sell candle kits as well as primed wicks and sheets of beeswax that you can roll into beeswax candles.

On www.familyeducation.com, there are many printable activities that keep kids involved and they are able to have fun at the same time. Activities such as a Menorah that you can print and color, a printable Hanukkah book, to a worksheet that explains the Hebrew letters on the dreidels and how to play two games with the dreidel, there are plenty of activities that you as a family can do!

Other activities that can be done are creating Hanukkah cards, singing Hanukah songs, reading Hanukah books and watching Hanukah movies. There are many songs, books, and movies to choose from and here’s a list of a few of them. Also listed below are song lyrics to a few of the songs.

Books:

For Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi and Susanna Natti (Illustrator)

Hanukkah Around the World by Tami Lehman-Wilzig and Vicki Wehrman (Illustrator)

Hanukkah Moon by Deborah Da Costa and Gosia Mosz (Illustrator)

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels by Deborah Heiligman

My First Chanukah by Tomie de Paola

A Picture Book of Hanukkah by David Adler

All About Hanukkah by Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler

Latkes and Applesauce by Fran Manushkin

The Miracle of the Potato Latkes by Malka Penn

Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel

A Hanukkah Treasury

Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes

The Trees of Dancing Goats

Movies:

Lambchop’s Chanukah and Passover Surprise Lambchop’s Chanukah and Passover Surprise’ is a highly entertaining presentation of the two famous Jewish festivals, Hanukkah and Passover. It is divided into two distinct parts, showing Hanukkah in the first part, followed by the Passover in the second part. It is full of melodious songs and engaging music. It presents a great theme with such simplicity that it wins over people of all age groups. The Hebrew Hammer ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ is a Jewish film that was released in 2003. The film was premiered at Sundane Film Festival and also many other film festivals. Jonathan Kesselman is the director of the movie and the main star casts include Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Mario Van Peebles, Peter Coyote, Nora Dunn, Sean Whalen, Tony Cox, Rachel Dratch, and Melvin Van Peebles.

Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah Released in the year 1987, ‘Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah’ is a blockbuster that is based on the festive occasion of Hanukkah. The entire movie is a reflection of the true spirit and mood of the festival. The director has very beautifully captured the essence of the event in all its glory. Colorful and bright animation, a strong storyline and mind-blowing set decorations - that’s ‘Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah’ for you. It is particularly a rage amongst kids, as they love to see the funny and amusing animated characters therein. A Rugrats Chanukah

‘A Rugrats Chanukah’ is a special animated series of the Rugrats. Written by J. David Stem and David N.Weiss, it revolves around the narration of Hanukkah story by Grandma Minkus, to the children. It was originally broadcast on Nickledeon, on December 4, 1996 and received high appreciation and large audience. The movie candidly brings out the stories and legends associated with Hanukkah. The presentation of the series is simple and lucid. Eight Crazy Nights This is a story of a troubled man who is forced to stay with his former basketball coach Whitey and his sister. As the story moves on, we watch the young man turn from a horrible person into a decent, caring human being. Adam Sandler voices the main character. Here are a few more: Shalom Sesame Chanukah Special, There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein Chanuka & Passover at Bubbe's Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah Chanukah on Planet Matzah Ball Lovely Butterfly: Chanukah

Songs: In the non-Jewish community, the most popular Chanukah song might be Adam’s Sandler’s The Hanukkah Song. However, there many more songs that are sung during the holiday and whether you prefer hearing the Barenaked Ladies sing their verison of Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah there are versions of the songs to choose from. Here are is a small list of some of the popular Hanukah songs:

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

Rock of Ages (Ma'oz Tzur)

The Hanukkah Song

I Have a Little Dreidel

Shalom Children

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov

Light One Candle

On Chabad.org you can listen to the audio as well as read the lyrics of a few Hanukkah songs that they have listed. There are many websites where you can find the lyrics and music to the songs listed here as well as other ones.

Gifts:

For the 8 day period of Hanukkah, parents give a one present each day to their kids, and oftentimes adults give other adults presents as well. Well what gifts should I get for someone? Here are a few great gift ideas:

On Be’Chol Lashon’s website you can order beautiful handmade gifts from Jews in Africa and China. http://bechollashon.org/cart/index.php?cPath=22 Not only are these great gifts, but the money goes to a great cause.

On Jewish Gift Place (http://www.jewishgiftplace.com/Hanukkah-Gifts.html), there many gifts for all ages. From beautiful necklaces, to candle holders there are gifts for everyone.

Another gift idea is to send a Hanukkah basket to a loved one, neighbor, or a friend. Gourmet Gift Baskets (http://www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com/Kosher-Hanukkah-Gift-Baskets.asp) has a variety of baskets to choose from.

There are many gift ideas out there and there are more websites to find gifts at a price that is right for you!

Chanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah, Hanukkah, no matter how you spell it, is a wonderful festive time that is meant to be shared with family, friends, neighbors and strangers. If you have any ideas about how to make this year’s Hanukah a special one to remember, share it on our Facebook or Twitter pages. You can also email us the ideas and we’ll post them on the website. Chag Urim Sameach. Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah Song Lyrics

Here are the lyrics to three of the songs listed above:

Chanuka, oh Chanuka

Chanuka, Oh Chanuka, come light the Menorah

Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora

Gather round the table, we'll all have a treat

Sivivon to play with, and latkes to eat.

And while we are playing

The candles are burning bright

One for each night, they shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago.

One for each night, they shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago.

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov

Chanuka, hu chag tov

Chanuka, hu chag tov

Sivivon, sov, sov, sov!

Chag simcha hu la-am

Nes gadol haya sham

Nes gadol haya sham

Chag simcha hu la-am.

(Translation)

Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.

Chanuka is a great holiday.

It is a celebration for our nation.

A great miracle happened there.

Maoz Tzur - Transliteration

Maoz tzur yeshua-si

Lecha na-eh li-sha-beyach

Tikone bais ti-fee-lasi

Vi-sham todah ni-za-beyach.

Li-ase ta-chin mat-beyach

Mee-tzar ham-na-beyach

Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor

Chanukas ha-meez-beyach

Az eg-more vi-sheer meez-mor

Chanukas ha-meez-beyach.

(Translation)

O Rock of my salvation, with delight we praise You.

Restore the Temple where we will bring offerings.

When You will eliminate our enemies,

Then I shall sing at the rededication.

I Have a Little Dreidel

I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then dreidel I shall play!

(Chorus)

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then dreidel I shall play!

It has a lovely body

With legs so short and thin

And when my dreidel's tired

It drops and then I win!

(Chorus)

My dreidel's always playful

It loves to dance and spin

A happy game of dreidel

Come play now, let's begin!

Lyrics from http://hanukkah.123holiday.net/hanukkah_songs.html

LIGHT ONE CANDLE By Peter, Paul & Mary

Light one candle for the Maccabee children

Give thanks their light didn't die; Light one candle for the pain they endured

When their right to exist was denied;

Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice

Justice and freedom demand;

light one candle for the wisdom to know

When the peacemaker's time is at hand!

chorus:

Don't let the light go out,

It's lasted for so many years!

Don't let the light go out!

Let it shine through our love and our tears!

Light one candle for the strength that we need

To never become our own foe;

Light one candle for those who are suff'ring

The pain that we learned long ago;

Light one candle for all we believe in,

That anger not tear us apart;

And light one candle to bind us together

With peace as the song in our heart!

(chorus)

What is the memory that's valued so highly

That we keep it alive in that flame?

What's the commitment to those who have died?

We cry out "they've not died in vain,"

We have come this far, always believing

That justice will somehow prevail;

This is the burden and This is the promise,

This is why we will not fail!

(chorus)

Don't let the light go out!

Don't let the light go out!

Don't let the light go out!

Hanukkah Blessings

For each night of Hanukkah, one candle is added to the menorah. The first night, you light only the shamus-the one at a different height-and one Hanukkah candle. By the eighth night, all of the candles will be lit. Candles are added to the menorah from right to left. The shammus candle is lit first. While holding the shammus candle, sing or recite the blessings below.

Blessings over the Candles:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein)

to light the lights of Chanukkah. (Amen).

Blessings for Hanukkah:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein)

Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time. (Amen)

For a menorah to be kosher, one arm must be separate or higher, with the other eight

all on the same linear plane. Circular menorahs aren’t kosher either because they may

look like bonfires, not individual flames.

Remember:

Jews are charged with publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah, and many do so by

placing a display menorah in their windows for the world to see. Lit candles should be

displayed for the perspective of the outside viewer.

Rules of the Dreidel Game:

1.Everybody puts an ante into the pot before each spin (pennies, nickels, dimes, etc).

2. Each person spins the dreidel. Results are determined by the face-up side of the

dreidel.

3. When one person has won all the coins, thegame is over. That’s right: winner takes all

in the high-stakes, cut-throat game of dreidel.

GIMMEL

take all the pot

HEY

take half the pot

NUN

take none

SHIN

put two in

Festival Foods for the Festival of Lights: Delicious Recipes for

Chanukah

Here are some festive recipes to light up your Chanukah meals!

Sweet Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

From http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=499

Ingredients

2 lg. cooked sweet potatoes, mashed

2 eggs, beaten

2 carrots, grated and lightly steamed

1 lg. zucchini, grated

6 tbsp. flour

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients except oil.

2. In non-stick large skillet, heat olive oil over low heat for 2

minutes.

3. Drop 2- tablespoons of the sweet potato mixture into hot oil. Use spatula to flatten

pancakes slightly.

4. Cook each pancake for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 1-2

minutes. Test for doneness.

5. Serve immediately or keep warm and crunchy in a 250 degree oven.

Hanukkah Sweet-and-Sour Brisket

From http://www.pastrywiz.com/archive/hanukkas.htm

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients:

6 lb Brisket

1/4 c Water

2 lg Yellow onions; 1/2" slices

4 lg Celery stalks & leaves1/2" slices

8 oz Chili sauce or spicy catsup

4 lg Cloves garlic; minced

2 Bay leaves

1/2 c Dark brown sugar; firm pack

1/3 c Dijon mustard

1/4 c Soy sauce

1/4 c Red wine vinegar

3 T Molasses

12 oz Beer

1/2 t Paprika

4 lg Baking potatoes; 1/2" slices

Salt/pepper

Photo courtesy: http://www.ingredientsinc.net/tag/jim-n-nicks/

Directions: This dish can be cooked two ways: it can be simmered on top of the stove as well as

cooked in a crockpot. You may make it 3 days in advance and chill or freeze for up to six

months. Wrap before freezing.

Simmered on top of the stove: Sear meat, fat side down for from five to ten minutes. When

brown, turn and brown on the other side. Remove brisket. Skim off any fat and discard, leaving

drippings in pan. Add water, onions, celery, chili sauce, vinegar and molasses to pan and mix

well. Return meat to pan, cover and cook over medium-low heat for 3 hours. Add beer, paprika

and potatoes. Re-cover and cook for an hour longer, adding water, if needed, to keep moist.

Crockpot: Seat meat as directed, then place all ingredients except salt and pepper in a large

crockpot set on high heat. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours or until tender.

Let brisket cook in liquid for 30 minutes, then transfer to a container. Pour the cooking liquid and

potatoes in a bowl. Discard bay leaves. Let cool for at least 2 hours, then skim off fat. Return

liquid and potatoes to pot with a lid.

Cut meat across grain into 1/4" slices; add to the liquid. Cover and reheat over low or heat in the

microwave. Adjust seasonings. Serve on warmed platter surrounded by potatoes and cooking

liquid.

Colorful Vegetable Latkes

From Lisa Katz, former About.com Guide

Ingredients:

4 large baking potatoes

2 large carrots

2 small zucchini

1 medium onion

1 egg

1/4 cup mitzvah meal

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. white pepper

1/4 tsp. dried rosemary

canola oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Shred potatoes, onions and zucchini. Be sure to drain for about 15 minutes, squeezing

down every five minutes. The shredded vegetables should be dry.

2. Shred carrots and add to above shredded and well-drained vegetables.

3. Blend with remaining ingredients.

4. Fry in minimum amount of oil (approximately 2 tablespoons per cake).

5. Serve with applesauce or sour cream.

Cranberry-Raisin Dessert Latkes

From http://www.caryn.com/store/hanukkah/recipes/cranberry_raisin_latke.html

Ingredients

12 oz bag cranberries

3/4 c. water

1/2 of a 15 oz box of raisins

1/2c. orange juice

2 c. sugar or sucanat

1c. flour

2 eggs

canola or peanut oil

Directions

In a large pot, simmer cranberries in water until they pop. Add raisins, juice & sugar, mix

well, then boil until mixture is thick (about 15 minutes). Let cool.

Add flour and eggs to cranberry mixture and blend well.

In a large skillet, heat oil over a low flame. Drop batter in by tablespoons, flatten with

spoon. Turn when latkes are golden, but keep turning often. Because of all the sugar,

these latkes will burn easily. Latkes are ready when both sides are golden brown, but

soft--figure about 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.

Happy Hanukkah!

Chag Urim Sameach!

Did You Know?

A FEW FACTS ABOUT

HANUKKAH

Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews all over the world. The global Jewish community is a diverse

one, a multicultural and multiracial assemblage, by no means monolithic, representing

millions of people throughout the world. Jews in China look like other Chinese, while Jews in

India resemble other Indians, as is the case with the Igbo Jews of Nigeria and the Lemba of

Southern Africa, and so on. They differ in their religious and cultural expression.

There are at least 17 correct ways to spell Hanukkah: Chanuccah, Channuka, Channukah,

Chanuka, Chanukkah, Chanuko, Hannuka, Hannukah, Hanuka, Hanukkah, Hanukka,

Hannukka, Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanukkah, Khanukkah

Hanukkah historically predates Christmas and has a very different origin.

It takes 44 candles all together to observe all the eight nights of the Chanukah festival.

Chanukah can fall anytime between the middle of November and beginning of January.

The exact dates are decided according to the Jewish calendar, which is Lunar-based. The 8-

day holiday starts on 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

The most distant celebration of Hanukkah took place twice in space-In December 1997

astronaut David Wolf celebrated the holiday aboard the Russian space station Mir with a

Menorah & chocolate candy his sister sent via a Russian supply ship & astronaut Jeff Hoffman

(the first male Jewish astronaut) celebrated aboard the shuttle Endeavor.

The world’s largest Hanukkah menorah is located in Jerusalem-the Jerusalem is more than

twenty meters tall; weighs more than 17 seventeen metric tons and spans 600 square feet.

Each night a cherry picker lifts a rabbi into the air to light its candles.

The letters on the dreidel are nun, gimmel, hey, shin ― the first letters of Nes Gadol Haya

Sham – "A Great Miracle Happened There." (In Israel, the last letter is a Pey ― "Here.")

The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication.

There are eight equally spaced holders for each of the eight days of Chanukah, along with a

ninth holder for the helper candle, called the Shamash. The Shamash holder is typically

separated from the other eight -- either higher up or off to the side. The role of the Shamash is

to light each of the other candles. The Chanukah lights are placed from left to right in the

chanukiah (menorah), but are lit from right to left.

Hanukkah wasn’t officially marked by a sitting US president until Jimmy Carter in 1979.

Hanukkah Special

Across

3. number of days we celebrate

Hanukkah

5. a song by Peter Paul and Mary

6. what Hanukkah means

8. take nun in

9. a holiday greeting Hebrew

12. put two in

13. candle we use to light the other

candles

14. chocolate candy we eat

15. the object the candles are placed in

Down

1. the total number of candles to

observe all eight nights

2. only place Jews don't live

4. what Maccabee means

5. a fried food we eat

6. a spinning top we play games with

7. take half

10. take all the pot

11. the festival of lights

Light One Candle