Local spots to buy gifts

RON FRIEDMAN

With Chanukah rapidly approaching, the Jewish Independent offers a short round-up of local venues where you can purchase holiday gifts.

• The gift shop at Temple Sholom offers a wide variety of chanukiyot made of silver, bronze, pewter, glass or stone. Among them this year is a uniquely designed sports chanukiyah, including a hockey player shammash. You'll also find everything you'll need for planning a Chanukah party, including paper plates and napkins, vinyl tablecloths, latke and snack plates. They also have both milk and bittersweet chocolate coins from Israel, as well as dripless candles from Safed.

The gift shop is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to noon. To view what the shop has to offer, go to the synagogue's main page at www.templesholom.ca. For more information, call 604-266-1957.

• The Beth Israel Judaica shop is also open for business. They have in stock a variety of chanukiyot and menorot, as well as beautiful pieces of Judaica from the Gary Rosenthal Collection and, for the busy-body in the kitchen, Judaica-themed cookie-cutters.

Beth Israel is located at 4350 Oak St., and the shop is open Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.

• Pacific Judaica sells unique and beautiful Judaica that is perfect for all occasions. They searched near and far to carry the most exciting and contemporary Judaica goods at affordable prices. Their items are modern, artistic and stylish and have been crafted by Canadian, American and Israeli artists.

This year, they have stocked up on many different styles of chanukiyot, from blown glass to aluminum to metal to ceramic. They also carry Chanukah-themed latke platters, candles, fun dreidels and kippot. To make the party even better, Pacific Judaica is offering a new trivia game focused on the holiday and its meaning.

To view all of these items and more, come to the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver's marketplace on Dec. 9, 11 and 15. Pacific Judaica can be reached at 604-737-1854 or www.pacificjudaica.com.

• The Hadassah-WIZO gift shop, located in Suite 304 of the JCCGV and also operating out of the Burquest JCC in Coquitlam, sells all types of Chanukah items, including a wide selection of platters, candles, toys, books, decorations, cards and more. The gift shop is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 9 a.m.-noon on Fridays. For more information, call 604-257-5160.

• At Mazal Judaica, Na'ama Laniado imports from Israel and sources her wares directly from the producers and artists to keep prices down. She offers a line-up of chanukiyot, dreidels, pendants and Chanukah platters. Featured currently on her website, www.shopmazal.com, are handmade iron chanukiyot and menorot, along with an array of other chanukiyot, mezuzot and Judaica. Visit www.shopmazal.com to look through the available merchandise and call 604-783-5455 to set up a meeting with Laniado. Laniado will also be displaying her products at the JCCGV on Monday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.

• If you're more in the mood for trendy gifts, try going to www.moderntribe.com, where you can browse the website for gifts ranging from the groovy menorah bus to the pita pocket ladies bag. The site also has gift ideas for him and her and a special section for Chanukah gifts under $35.

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