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Dec. 23, 2005
Of latkes and lighting
Authors share their joyous Chanukah memories.
RAHEL MUSLEAH
Just about this time every year, I start to feel like a Maccabee:
besieged, not by the Syrian army, but by Chanukah itself. As the
25th of Kislev inches closer, the pressure increases to squeeze
more commercialization out of Chanukah than the oil from a latke.
So here's my vote to simplify Chanukah and restore its inherent
values: freedom, conviction, dedication, hope, continuity, peace,
rebuilding, community, family. To help achieve Chanukah's miraculous
retransformation, we need help – lots of it. That's why I asked
children's authors who've written Chanukah stories to describe the
simple joys of their own celebrations and offer some suggestions
on how to make Chanukah more meaningful.
Jane Zalben, author of almost 50 books, including Pearl's Eight
Days of Chanukah (Simon & Schuster), Beni's Family Cookbook
for the Jewish Holidays and Papa's Latkes (Holt): "When
my children were young, we all fought over who would set up the
candles. I still love to pick out the colors of the candles, setting
them in the menorah each night and watching them glow in the window.
My husband, an architect, made a modern menorah out of brass plumbing
parts and another one out of copper tubing. They stand alongside
the one from Israel with oil and wicks, and the home-made ones from
hair curlers and empty spools of thread.
"A tradition that was a hold-over from my parents was the search
for the presents. They would leave little notes throughout the house
until we finally found the little gift. Our traditions have also
evolved: one year, we did a latke bake-off, where everyone made
their own personal recipe. My husband's blackened Cajun latkes with
bits of jalapeno peppers were a hit. Since the children are now
older, Chanukah has less significance than Passover and Rosh Hashanah,
when they return home. To me, Chanukah celebrates a group of people
who stayed true to themselves. That's an important lesson in today's
world."
David Adler, author of more than 150 books, including Chanukah
in Chelm (Lothrop) and The Kids' Catalog of Jewish Holidays
(JPS): "I grew up as one of six children. Along with our parents,
our grandmother lived with us. We called her Mutti, which is German
for mother. On Chanukah, we all lit candles together, made and ate
latkes together, and played dreidel together. The most fun was watching
my brother Eddie and Mutti. Eddie was strict about doing everything
the right way and after a few rounds of dreidel he often complained,
'Hey, Mutti's cheating.' He was right. She did cheat. She cheated
to lose. She wanted us, her beloved grandchildren, to win."
Adler says he, his wife and three sons each have their own chanukiyot,
but light the candles together and follow the family tradition of
making latkes together.
"Whatever you do," he advised, "do it together."
Eric Kimmel, author of more than 50 books, including Hershel
and the Chanukah Goblins, The Chanukah Guest and The
Magic Dreidels (Holiday House), also remembers his grandmother,
who lived with the family in Brooklyn: "Chanukah was my favorite
holiday, bright and warm. My grandma spoke Yiddish and told stories
about Galicia as if it were Paradise Lost. Her old brass menorah
had these two big lions standing on their hind legs holding up the
shamash candle. She used old-fashioned orange candles that gleamed
off the polished brass and then flowed down into rivers of melted
wax. I'd gobble down her latkes, made with shmaltz (chicken
fat).
"Chanukah is a time to touch base with who we are. It's a roots
holiday. But if it's the only Jewish holiday families celebrate
in a year, it's meaningless. Copying presents is the Christmas spirit,
not the Chanukah spirit. To families, I say, 'Nobody can make you
do anything you don't want to do. Think about why you're celebrating
Chanukah. Is it as a Jewish holiday or as a substitute for Christmas?'"
Joanne Rocklin, author of more than 20 books, including The Very
Best Chanukah Gift (Random House): "Good food and good
stories have nourished my family during Chanukah. The power of stories
gives us strength from the past, helps us enjoy the present and
enables us to pass down our tales to future generations. Creating
rituals that are individual to your particular family reinforces
family memories and togetherness.
"Siblings can craft handmade gifts for each other or write
'promises to share,' like helping with math homework, making the
bed, or sharing the top bunk – the favorite – as I did.
Make latkes from unusual vegetables, like zucchini. Invite neighbors
and relatives to enjoy our festival of light, especially non-Jews."
Here's some advice from Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler, founders
of Kar-Ben Books, which has published more than 150 books for Jewish
children and their families, including All About Chanukah,
which they wrote together: "Get away from the gifts and go
towards the mitzvot," Wikler suggested. "It's tough, but
try going from getting to giving. One year, for example, my family
went to a nursing home on Christmas so others could celebrate their
holiday."
Groner told the story of her son, Ben, who moved from day school
to public high school at the age of 16 and decided to have a Chanukah
party: "His guests included an African-American and a boy from
India. While I served teenage-boy-portions of latkes (the house
smelled of oil for weeks), he regaled his friends with the history
and customs of the holiday, taught them dreidel and led them in
song. I realized the Jewish tradition had become a part of him.
The amazing thing is that had I said, 'Gee, why not have a Chanukah
party and invite your friends,' he never would have agreed. It came
from him, spontaneously. So let your kids call the shots. Let the
ideas come from them."
Rahel Musleah, author of Sharing Blessings: Children's Stories
for Exploring the Spirit of the Jewish Holidays (Jewish Lights)
– oops, that's me: We didn't have latkes in Calcutta, where
I was born, but to reflect the miracle of the oil, I often make
the classic Indian delicacy of piaju – thinly sliced onions
and cilantro coated with chickpea flour and deep-fried. My most
beautiful image of Chanukah is symbolized by my Indian chanukiyah.
Shaped like a Magen David, it has nine brass holders that encircle
the red glass cups we fill with oil. As is our custom, after the
blessings we chant Psalm 30, "Mizmor Shir Hanukat Ha-bayit
Le-David" ("A Song at the Dedication of the House
of David").
As I watch the flames dance and shimmer in the red glasses throughout
the evening – for the oil usually burns until midnight –
I think of my favorite line from the psalm, addressed to God: Hafakhta
mis'pedi lemahol li (You have turned my mourning into dancing).
May Chanukah be a holiday of light, blessing and dancing.
Rahel Musleah is a journalist and author who offers programs
on the Jewish communities of India. Her website is www.rahelsjewishindia.com.
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