Happy Hanukkah! by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

y p p a H ! h a k k u n a H Supplement to Jewish News December 9, 2019

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Hanukkah Dear Readers,

he first Hanukkah candle is lit this year on the evening of Sunday, December 22, which means of course, the fourth will be lit on Christmas.

While some might say that the Jewish holiday’s overlap with the most major of Christian days might result in less attention paid to Hanukkah, others may argue that it will have increased celebration time since school’s not in session and the rush to get through each night won’t be as intense. I vote for the latter. One thing for certain, celebrating this rather minor holiday gets easier each year— with more events, films, music, stuff to purchase, and crafts to make. For example, on page 21, Shalom Tidewater has compiled a list of Hanukkah events taking place in Tidewater. Latkepalooza on Sunday, December 15 at the Sandler Family Campus, will be one Hanukkah celebration for the books! (Pun intended, as three children’s book authors are part of the festivities.) The article on page 16 about latkes is dripping with fun—not oil. Everyone has their own method of cooking, as you’ll read. We have articles about staying safe and preventing fires (page 20) and about

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Hannukah films to watch (page 26). Other articles suggest alternatives for ways to celebrate and observe the eight nights. Whether your tradition of Hanukkah is big or small, all of us at Jewish News hope that your holiday is filled with plenty of light, health, happiness, and, mostly, peace. Happy Hanukkah!

Terri Denison

Editor

HAPPY HANUKKAH! jewishnewsva.org | December 9, 2019 | Hanukkah | Jewish News | 15

Hanukkah

Tasty Hanukkah twists and turns the house from smelling like oil for three days.” “My wife may make the best matzo brei, but my latkes…stand back,” he says with a smile. Rule # 1. Mise en place. I have all my tools and ingredients together before cooking. Tricks: • Canola oil, not olive oil. Taste the potatoes, not the oil. • Grate a little carrot with the onion for color contrast and firmer texture. • Add something green like zucchini or spinach, or sprinkle some parsley. • Use russet potatoes “On Christmas Day we go to our friend’s home for a beautiful dinner. It’s a tradition,” says Budman. “A couple of years ago, Hanukkah overlapped with Christmas and our friend called with a request. ‘Hey Steve,’ she said, ‘please bring your skillet and make some latkes.’ Of course, I complied. “Last week we were together and, as she noted, the holidays converge again this year. Guess what she assigned us to bring.” Have skillet, will travel.

Lisa Richmon

veryone loves latkes. Making them is another story. Is buying frozen potato pancakes at Trader Joe’s selling out? Some say, ‘most definitely.’ This is the first artice (of two) featuring serious cooks who ‘play with their food’ and riff on the universally revered potato pancake. Look for the next installement in the December 23 issue of Jewish News.

Jack Siegel—A decade of Happy Hanukkah extras Dr. Jack Siegel cops to going behind his mother-in-law’s back and feeding his late father-in-law extra latkes. “It was a Hanukkah tradition in our house,” says Siegel. “The man loved to eat.” Siegel is referring to his father-in-law, Marino Bertini who was 85 when he passed away in February. “Marino Bertini was Italian, but he hated pizza! Boy did he love Jewish cooking, he couldn’t get enough potato pancakes. Every year, my mother-in-law would cut him off at four latkes to safeguard his health. And every year he’d circle back to the kitchen, hit up the frying pan and pop more latkes in his mouth.” What makes Siegel’s latkes so good? “They’re pretty basic,” says Siegel. “The one oddity is that I sautée celery with the onion, which I think makes it more flavorful. You just have to make sure to drain all the liquid from the potatoes and the celery onion mixture. Another thing I do is fry them in peanut oil and olive oil.” Siegel’s recipe is his late mother’s mother’s, dating back to late 1800s. Steve Budman— Latke road show Steve Budman has his own take on making latkes—and taking them on the road. “Here’s what I don’t do,” says Budman, a local photographer and home cook. “Everyone says to wrap the potatoes up in a clean dish towel to get moisture out. It’s such a pain. I tried leaving that step out one time and couldn’t tell the difference. They were still crispy. So now, I don’t bother squeezing the mixture.” Another Budman twist: “I don’t cook them in my kitchen. Instead, I use an electric skillet on our back porch to keep

Steve Budman and his traveling skillet.

16 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | December 9, 2019 | jewishnewsva.org

Jack Siegel’s latkes.

Janie Jacobson Craig— A grandmother’s gold anie Jacobson Craig is a Jewish juxtaposition. She is uniquely skilled in traditional, Jewish comfort food, as well as farm-to-table-fresh, and simply prepared whole foods that mark her passion as a teacher, author, and healthy lifestyle pioneer. Her grandmother, Elizabeth Snyder, “Gram” who passed away at 101, filled her granddaughter’s Hanukkah heart with love and latkes. “We always had a Hanukkah party at my grandmother’s house,” says Jacobson Craig, “For one thing, she loved her grandchildren and was very accepting. Her home was always open to us. She LOVED latkes, especially with sour cream. I personally like the shredded potato latke well done, while my family liked them almost burnt.

Elizabeth Snyder, and Janie Jacobson Craig.

If you have a Hanukkah-with-a-twist story to share, submit to lrichmon@ ujft.org or call Lisa Richmon at 757-576-5472.

Hanukkah

How to have eight nights of Hanukkah that aren’t just about presents Kveller Staff

f your kids become greedy gift monsters around Hanukkah, you have failed miserably as a parent. Relax! We’re only kidding! The truth is, if your kids are all about the presents during the Festival of Lights, you are so not alone! We’ve been there, and we’ll help you through it. If you’re looking to avoid eight nights of gift-related mayhem, we asked fellow Kveller moms about their methods for striking a balance between presents (giving and receiving), spending some quality time as a family, and doing some good deeds. Check out these tried and true alternative options that fellow Kveller mamas have used:

1. Small gift night Give something simple, like a book, pajamas, or a puzzle—whatever inexpensive but meaningful gift works for your little ones. 2. Pick a charity night Choose a charity with your kids and make a donation with their input. This can be to a worthy children’s charity such as Toys for Tots, agencies collecting for families that lost everything in the wildfires or other disasters, or a Kiva micro-finance gift certificate. Letting your kids choose can be fun and empowering for them and an insight into other families’ realities. 3. Visiting night Take your kids to celebrate Hanukkah in at Beth Sholom Village or other nursing home. They can light candles with the residents, and bring cards or drawings.

4. Animal night Ask your kids to pick an animal to “adopt” via the World Wildlife Federation. They’ll even send you a stuffed animal! Or you could give to Heifer International and explain how giving an animal not only provides food to a family but can change the course of a family’s life. 5. Make a gift night Pick a night to create gifts for their friends and family. Some ideas include soap, cookies, hand warmers, or dog toys. Whatever you think they’ll enjoy making the most! 6. Experience night Give them the gift of an experience. For instance, this can be a museum membership, manicure date with mom, or a visit to a rock-climbing gym. It doesn’t actually need to happen that night, but pick a date so they know it’ll happen soon. 7. Collect and share night Have your kids clear out old toys they no longer want and then donate them to a children’s home or a school. Giving is better than receiving!

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(Alma via JTA)—Hanukkah season means latkes, menorahs, and the retelling of the classic story about Judah and the Maccabees. But there’s a woman from a few hundred years before Judah was around who is just as important to this story. This Hanukkah, let’s bring this forgotten biblical badass back into the spotlight. She’s not mentioned in the Torah. Her earliest known stories aren’t even in Hebrew; they’re in Greek. And she’s on the fringes of medieval texts, at best. And though her story is interwoven with quite a few fictional elements, the story of Judith is too important not to celebrate and share. She is the feminist activist we need right now—she just happens to be from antiquity. Judith’s story starts in Jerusalem centuries before Judah’s story of the Maccabean revolt. A widow of three years, she has been in deep mourning, only wearing rags and ashes. And her children are on the brink of starvation, as her city is under siege by the evil Holofernes and his armies, who have been sent by King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian 18 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | December 9, 2019 | jewishnewsva.org

Empire to conquer the city and convert the Jews living there. Though they had fought back against Holofernes as best they could, the Israelites were ready to surrender.

Determined her city will not fall, she devises a plan and convinces her people that she can singlehandedly defeat their enemies.

But Judith is not. Determined her city will not fall, she devises a plan and convinces her people that she can singlehandedly defeat their enemies. Judith is disgusted by the faithlessness of the leaders of Jerusalem and tells them that God will act through her. That night, Judith sheds her mourning clothes, dresses herself in her finest jewels and, with wine and her maid, she leaves the city in the dark. Alone, the two women walk into the enemy’s camp and straight up to the royal tent (that’s not something you just, like, did back then). Struck by her beauty, Holofernes asks, “Who are you? Where do you come from and where do you wish

Hanukkiah Building contest at Beth El

Hanukkah to go?” Judith responds, “I have heard of your wisdom and skill, and since Israel has sinned, I know that you will conquer the city and take possession of it, so I came to save myself and my father’s household when you take the city.” She promises to help Holofernes conquer the city from the inside, and he invites her into his tent intending to seduce her. She follows him. Inside, Holofernes indulges in a feast and drinks more than he ever has in celebration of his near victory, with Judith feeding him cheese and pouring him more and more wine. Yes, my friends, cheese and wine are the weapons of choice in this story. RESPECT. Judith feasts, too, but only on what she has brought with her. Holofernes soon falls asleep. Turning her thoughts to God, Judith grabs the sword on his bedpost, and in one swift motion, beheads Holofernes as he sleeps. (OK, so the sword was a weapon, too.) Judith then takes the head of

Holofernes in her bag and swiftly leaves the tent with her maid. The two return, unnoticed back to the city walls, where she commands the guards to put his head up high for all of Holofernes’ armies to see upon sunrise. When they wake, Holofernes’ men see what has become of him and flee. Jerusalem is safe, thanks to Judith’s actions. The Israelites enter the camps and plunder them for their invaluable riches, much needed after years of living under siege. Judith is given Holofernes’ tent and all his possessions. She is blessed by every woman and leads them in song and dance. She praises God for giving her the courage and strength needed to save her people. Judith is celebrated for three months. Though many offer, Judith chooses not to remarry, instead living her life as a free woman. She frees her maid before she dies at the age of 105.

This story was once told alongside the more well-known story of Judah and the Maccabees each Hanukkah. Both Judah and Judith’s names come from the same root and both stories are about military victories that seemed impossible. But mostly, only Judah’s story is recounted and celebrated today. There has been a movement to place Judith back in the forefront of the Hanukkah story. Some even eat dairy on Hanukkah to commemorate the cheese Judith fed Holofernes before taking his head (cheese latkes, anyone?). Her story is gruesome. She is a lone woman, determined not to let the children of her city starve or be converted. But instead of cowering and surrendering like the male leaders suggest, Judith decides to take a stand, taking matters (and heads) into her own hands.

he Hanukkiah is one of the oldest Jewish ritual items still in use. To commemorate its beauty and brightness, Congregation Beth El is having a Hanukkiah Building contest. First place winner will be awarded a $100 gift card. Other prizes include movie tickets. All entries must be received at Congregation Beth El by Friday, Dec. 20. For information, call 757-625-7821 or go to www. bethelnorfolk.com.

Steph Black is a women’s studies major at American University.

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Hanukkah

Know these Hanukkah fire safety tips before you light the menorah of fry latkes Lior Zaltzman

(Kveller via JTA)—While Hanukkah is a favorite on the Jewish calendar, there is no holiday as dangerous with its open flames, boiling oil and sharp graters for making latkes. So we’ve compiled these helpful tips to help minimize the risks and have a safe and bright Festival of Lights.

Menorah safety tips Don’t leave menorahs unattended. Never leave a room where a menorah is lit. Either wait for the candles to go out, or put them out yourself if you need to leave the room or house. Put menorahs on a nonflammable surface. If you’re putting your menorah on a wooden window sill or any other wooden surface, make sure to lay down aluminum foil or another nonflammable material. An even better idea is to put menorahs on a stone or marble counter. Glass and metal surfaces also work. Put menorahs on a sturdy surface. Is your dining room table a bit wobbly? Don’t put your menorah there! Any piece of furniture with wheels is also a bad idea. Opt for a sturdy, safe surface. Keep menorahs away from pets. This might be easier said than done, especially with adventurous cats around, but it’s better not to put that menorah anywhere your pets are known to reach.

Keep menorahs out of reach of little kids. It may be obvious, but make sure your menorahs are away from edges and are high enough. Don’t walk around with a lit candle. No running with scissors, no walking with fire are some basic rules to live by. Keep candles in a contained space. Take precautions when letting children light the menorah. Make sure they are standing on a sturdy surface, and are close enough and high enough to safely light it —a stable stool is good, so they can see what they’re doing. Have an adult present there for support and intervention. Keep decorations, papers, and fabrics away from your menorah. Put decorations far from where you’ll be lighting your menorah. If you’re putting your menorah by the window, make sure there’s no way for the flame to touch the curtains. Keep any papers (including paper towels) away from where the menorah is placed, and out of your hands when you’re lighting candles. And, when you’re lighting candles, make sure they are far from your clothing and hair. Don’t light your kid’s arts and crafts menorah unless you are 100 percent sure they aren’t flammable. These handmade menorahs may be super cute, but they can also be fire hazards. Make sure to only light menorahs you are certain are nonflammable. Keep the ones you’re not sure about away from the lit menorahs, and

instead consider using electric candles with them.

Frying safety tips Make sure fire and carbon monoxide detectors are working. This is pretty self-explanatory but easy to forget. Do this a week before the festivities to have peace of mind. Never fill the pan with too much oil, and keep it from getting too hot. Being burned with splashing oil really, really stinks. Make sure the oil doesn’t get too hot. It’s a good idea to use an oil with a high burning point, like canola oil or olive oil. Keep pan and pot handles facing the inside of the stove. It’s a good way to keep them from getting knocked over. You DO NOT want that boiling pan falling on the floor. Keep young children away from the stove. Total Family Care suggests creating “a 3-foot safety zone around the stove when the latkes are frying” or using “the further burners so children cannot reach the flames.” Keep flammable materials away from the flames. Keep hair and shirtsleeves pulled up and away from the flame. Make sure paper towels are away from the

Still time to contribute to make Hanukkah happy for area kids

ewish Family Service’s 27th annual Chanukah Gift Project for local Jewish children and teens is still in progress. The community response thus far has been spectacular. JFS has 75 local children whose financially struggling families need help with gifts. Gifts received are enjoyed at Chanukah, and then used throughout the year. Although the initial deadline has passed, JFS can still use more help to purchase gifts. Contact Maryann Kettyle at JFS at 757- 459-4640 or MKettyle@jfshamptonroads.org to contribute to this wonderful, local tzedakah project. Gifts are piling up at Jewish Family Service.

20 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | December 9, 2019 | jewishnewsva.org

flames, too. Never try to extinguish a fire with water, and keep water away from your frying pan. In case of a grease fire, turn off the stove and use a pot lid or a baking pan to extinguish a grease fire. If that doesn’t work, douse it with lots of baking soda. Keep a good burn cream around and treat any burn right away. Accidents happen. If you do get burned, immediately run your burn under cold water. Dispose of oil properly. Don’t throw that oil down the drain! It will clog pipes. Instead, let it cool and put it in a closed container that can be thrown away. Lior Zaltzman is the social media editor for 70 Faces Media, Kveller’s parent company. She is also an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator. Kveller is a thriving community of women and parents who convene online to share, celebrate and commiserate their experiences of raising kids through a Jewish lens. Visit Kveller. com.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah in Tidewater Compiled by Shalom Tidewater

idewater is fortunate to have so many great Hanukkah events taking place around town this year, Check some of them out here.

Saturday, December 14 Ohef Sholom Temple OSTY Chanukah Party Sunday, Dec. 15, 11:30 am–2:30 pm Simon Family JCC Latkapalooza A day filled with fun and a light latke lunch, music, crafts, three visiting authors, and games and activities with visiting camps. RSVP to 757-965-6107. See page 29. Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 pm Temple Emanuel: The True Story of Hanukkah Think you know why we celebrate Hanukkah? Think again. Come learn the four stories of Hanukkah. The festival they tried to get rid of. RSVP for the address. 757‑428-2591 or office@tevb.org.

Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30 pm Dinner starts at 6:45 pm Ohef Sholom Temple Chanukah Dinner Community Hanukkah dinner, for the entire family. Ohef Sholom Temple, 530 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk RSVP and for tickets and prices, ohefsholom.org.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 5:30 pm Temple Emanuel: Latkes, Lights, & Legos Join for the first night celebration with latkes, ice cream, and the largest Lego brick Hanukkah menorah in Virginia. RSVP by Dec. 19 to Gail at 757-428-2591.

Sunday, Dec. 22 9:30–10:30am Chabad at the Oceanfront: Mommy & Me For moms and tots, 0-3. Jewish adventures, interactive circle time, music and movement, bubbles, parachutes, and more. Delicious brunch served. 718-207-7185 or email at chabadvb@gmail.com.

Monday, Dec. 23, 6 pm Chabad at the Oceanfront: North End Giant Menorah Lighting At the home of Dr. Mark Lipton, 232 43rd Street, Virginia Beach Virginia.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 5 pm Chabad of Tidewater/Chabad at the Oceanfront Annual Chanukah Extravaganza at the Giant Mount Trashmore Menorah! At the Mt. Trashmore parking lot near the Y. Featuring Chanukah treats, crafts for kids, and more. www.chabadoftidewater.com/menorah.

Saturday, Dec. 28 Congregation Beth El Beth El will recognize and honor the elders (ages 70 and older) in the synagogue family on Shabbat morning, the sixth day of Chanukah. Following the special service, potato latkes will be served at the Shabbat kiddush luncheon. 757-625-7821.

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Hanukkah

EASY LATKES by Ina Garten Makes 12 (3-inch) pancakes 1½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled 1½ tablespoons grated yellow onion 1 extra-large egg, beaten 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, divided 2 tablespoons good olive oil, divided Sour cream and/or applesauce, for serving Grate the potatoes lengthwise on a box grater, as you would grate carrots. Spread the potatoes and the grated onion out on a clean kitchen towel and roll it up like a jelly roll. Squeeze the towel to remove as much liquid as possible without breaking the potatoes. Transfer the potato mixture to a medium bowl, add the egg, flour, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and combine well.

Heat a large (12-inch) cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and heat until sizzling. Drop a scant ¼ cup measure of the potato mixture into the pan and repeat to make 6 latkes. Using a small metal spatula, lightly flatten each latke. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Turn the latkes with the spatula and cook on the other side for 2 to 3 minutes, until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan and heat until sizzling. Repeat to make 6 more latkes with the remaining potato mixture and transfer them to the plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle all the latkes lightly with salt, if desired, and serve warm with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce.

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ook for Ina Garten’s recipe in Goodnight Bubbala, her friend, Sheryl Haft’s, book. Haft will be at Latkepalooza and Camp Extravaganza. A light latke lunch will be served. See page 29. Presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Tidewater Jewish Foundation, along with PJ Library and One Happy Camper Foundation. Free and open to the community with RSVP (required) to JewishVA.org/Latkepalooza.

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(My Jewish Learning via JTA)— Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas can complicate the holiday. For those who try to make Hanukkah more like Christmas, it inevitably seems to fall short. Still, while Hanukkah was traditionally not one of the most central holidays of the Jewish calendar, it can offer opportunities for fun and joyous celebration. Here are some suggestions for how to make this Hanukkah memorable, while staying true to its essential meaning. Bring light out of darkness There are many ways to make this year’s Hanukkah a real “Festival of Lights.” As Rabbi Arthur Waskow writes in his book, Seasons of Joy, “Hanukkah is the moment when light is born from darkness, hope from despair.” Historically, this was reflected in the unlikely victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, in the oil that brought light for eight days instead of one, and in the very act of lighting candles during the darkest time of the year. Before lighting candles, consider taking a family walk. Go outside together and feel the darkness. Even in the city,

the month of December has a special darkness to it. Then, come in from the cold, light the hanukkiyah, and feel the contrast. The oil in the Temple menorah can be understood as an early example of energy conservation. In keeping with that theme, try using environmentally sustainable candles this year. According to Hazon, a Jewish environmental organization, “beeswax, soy, and palm oil provide more natural alternatives to the traditional paraffin Hanukah candles.” Several vendors sell beeswax Hanukkah candles, and GoodLight Natural Candles’ Hanukkah candles not only claim to be “clean burning and non-toxic,” but the company “contributes to sustainable palm farming.” Hanukkah is also a wonderful time to bring light into the lives of those around us. The winter months can be especially difficult for those who need help. Why not volunteer as a family at a local soup kitchen, shelter, or any place that is personally meaningful? Get creative Hanukkah can be a great time for simple and fun family art projects. There is a

Hanukkah custom for each member of the family to have his/her own hanukkiyah. This year, why not make one? Buy lots of small votive candles and decorate the glass with a collage of colorful pieces of tissue paper. When the votives are lit, light shines through the tissue paper like stained glass. This is a great hanukkiyah for the Friday night of the holiday, when the candles are supposed to burn for at least two hours— as long as Shabbat candles burn. No matter what kind of hanukkiyah you use, try to place it in as visible a spot as possible to fulfill the mitzvah of “pirsumei nisa” (publicizing the miracle). And don’t forget the decorations. Judaica stores sell lots of colorful Hanukkah decorations that make the house feel more festive Make each night special One of the wonderful things about Hanukkah is that it lasts eight days. Giving each night a special theme can increase the excitement and take some of the attention away from presents. Themes might include “Tzedakah (charity) night,” “Sing-Off Night,” “Party Night” and, of course, “Presents Night.” I know a family that eats a different kind of potato latke (pancake) for dinner each night. Apples, cauliflower, or even meat can be delicious

additions to the traditional potato latke. Cheese is also a great Hanukkah food, as it recollects the heroism of Judith, who cleverly fed Holofernes, a general fighting the Maccabees, salty cheese, and wine. When the general promptly fell asleep, Judith cut off his head and thereby saved her town from his tyranny. Hanukkah is also an ideal time for fun activities such as playing music, taking pictures, or making home movies documenting the year’s celebration. Celebrate uniqueness One of the miracles of Hanukkah is that the Jewish people were able to rededicate the Temple. Hanukkah today presents the opportunity to reconsecrate our own uniqueness as a religion, a people, and a culture. Hanukkah is a time to discuss as a family some of the blessings and challenges of being Jewish in a predominantly Christian country. One way to spark discussion on this subject is to watch a movie that in some way tackles the subject of assimilation. Some suggestions include My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Avalon, Keeping the Faith, The Jazz Singer, Monsoon Wedding, and American Desi. Have a joyous and meaningful Hanukkah!

HAPPY HANUKKAH

FROM YOUR PADDLESPORT SPECIALISTS

Hanukkah

A movie marathon for all 8 nights of Hanukkah Elana Spivack

(Alma via JTA)—Fry up some latkes and fulfill the 11th commandment by observing a movie marathon for each day of Hanukkah. Here are some suggestions perfect for the occasion:

Night 1: Little Fockers This third installment of the Meet the Parents saga is a phenomenal way to start the holiday for five reasons: 1. Barbra Streisand 2. Barbra Streisand 3. Barbra Streisand 4. Barbra Streisand 5. The classic trope of neurotic Jewish family meets Waspy family for the holidays, and chaos ensues. (Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

Night 2: An American Tail Steven Spielberg’s first animated production tells the story of plucky young Fievel Mousekewitz. The film opens with a Hanukkah celebration where Papa Mousekewitz gifts Fievel his hat before they embark to America. Oh yeah, and it’s a musical. Bring latkes and tissues. (Available on Amazon Prime and Netflix) Night 3: Full-Court Miracle This Disney Channel Original Movie should have reached the heights of High School Musical or Cadet Kelly. Based on a

Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi and Alma & Howard Laderberg present

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Collage by Alma

true story, this uplifting 2003 movie puts a modern-day spin on the story of the Maccabees as a Jewish boys basketball team search for a coach to lead them to victory. (Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

Night 4: Hitched for the Holidays Would any holiday season be complete without a Hallmark TV movie? This cheesy romance from 2012 shows yet another Hanukkah-meets-Christmas, but with a twist: Julie finds a temporary boyfriend, Rob, to placate her Jewish mother for the holiday season (#relatable). Will the nice Jewish girl really fall for a Catholic schoolboy? Yes. Obviously. It’s a Hallmark TV movie. (Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube) Night 5: The TV specials Binge these excellent holiday specials and skits all at once! Here is the absolute correct order in which to watch them: Saturday Night Live: Hanukkah Harry Saturday Night Live: Adam Sandler’s

Hanukkah Song Friends: The One with the Holiday Armadillo The OC: Best Chrismukkah Ever Rugrats: A Rugrats Chanukah

Night 6: Hanukkah the Movie Consider this the experimental day of Hanukkah. Give the gift of funding the Indiegogo for this bizarre Hanukkahslasher film. Then go call your parents. Night 7: The Hebrew Hammer This Jewish sendup of Blaxploitation films gives us the perfect Hanukkah hero. Or at least a Hanukkah hero. (Available on Amazon Prime) Night 8: 8 Crazy Nights You knew this one was coming. It sums up the last eight days: animation, basketball, Adam Sandler, Hanukkah and lots of grownup humor. (Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube) Elana Spivack is a New York City-based writer.

Hanukkah

The quest for annual Hanukkah stamps Ronald Scheiman

he United States Post Office is not producing a new Hanukkah stamp this year. According to the USPS, sufficient quantities remain from last year. This means there will not be an automatic shipment to post offices. Each individual post office will have to order the Hanukkah stamps. Past history has shown that many do not. So, in order to have Hanukkah stamps in time to mail Hanukkah cards, go to a local post office and ask them to order Hanukkah stamps as soon as possible so they will have them in time for the holiday.

Disney’s Elena of Avalor is introducing a Latina Jewish princess who celebrates Hanukkah Marcy Oster

(JTA)—Disney introduced a Latina Jewish princess who celebrates Hanukkah. The princess, still to be named, appears on the Disney Channel series Elena of Avalor this month. The Hanukkah-themed episode features a visiting princess who is from a “Latino Jewish kingdom,” the Disney Channel announced. The series centers on Princess Elena Castillo Flores, a 16-year-old who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress. For the past two seasons, the teenager has

been learning to govern Avalor. The third season launches in October. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, the Jewish actress who played Meadow on The Sopranos, will provide the voice for the new princess. “I am so excited to voice Disney’s first Jewish princess,” she tweeted. This, despite the fact that actress Sarah Silverman asserted last year that her character in Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz, is a Jewish princess. Walt Disney, the company’s late founder, is infamous for having held anti-Semitic views.

May light, health and peace fill your home this Hanukkah.

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Hanukkah

Haim, Jack Black, and more record songs for a Hanukkah album

Gabe Friedman

(JTA)—Adam Sandler is finally getting some competition in the Hanukkah music world. Haim, Jack Black, the Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo, and other prominent artists have recorded songs for a Hanukkah album titled Hanukkah+, the record label Verve Forecast announced. The album also features contributions from folk singer Loudon Wainwright III, Adam Green (of the band Moldy Peaches), Alex Frankel (of the electronic group Holy Ghost and a founder of the Jewish deli Frankel’s in Brooklyn) and more. Rolling Stone reported that the record is a mix of covers and original songs. Haim’s contribution is a cover of the late

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Leonard Cohen’s If It Be Your Will. Black wrote two originals, and the Flaming Lips and Wainwright also penned new songs for the album. The project is the brainchild of Grammy-winning music supervisor Randall Poster, who was inspired by Yo La Tengo’s annual run of Hanukkah concerts. “When our old friend Randy Poster asked us to contribute to an album of Hanukkah songs he was putting together, we were kind of stumped,” Yo La Tengo, which is led by singer Ira Kaplan, said in a statement. “As non-practicing Jews (and non-Jews), truthfully, the holiday has little meaning for us (that’s the meta joke behind Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah shows), but we were open to inspiration.”