Your gift list solutions

KATHARINE HAMER

Last week, we gave you some thoughts on where to find the perfect Chanukah gift. In the second part of our series, we have even more – giving you the chance not only to find something unique for your loved ones – but to support the community at the same time.

• The Beth Tikvah Synagogue gift shop, operated by the synagogue's sisterhood, has a large selection of menorot in the Lower Mainland. The latest are by Israeli artist Doris (one name only – "she's like Cher," explained gift shop operator Elaine Nixon) and Montreal artist Rachel Yane. Both women work with glass – and also make mezuzot and challah plates. Nixon has a wide selection of gifts for children: games, stickers, Chanukah decorations and a number of unique dreidels.

Beth Tikvah is at 9711 Geal Rd. in Richmond, and the gift shop is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call Nixon at 604-271-6262.

• At The Perfect Gift, you can find many different chanukiyot, coffee mugs and other festive items. This year, the store is also carrying the Gary Rosenthal collection of Judaica from the United States, including mezuzot and decorative matchboxes. Located at 5687 Balsam St., The Perfect Gift can be reached at 604-261-1501.

• The Judaica shop at Beth Israel will open for selected hours from Sunday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec. 5 (for more information, call 604-731-4161). The store carries candles, dreidels, gift wrap and toys and gifts for children and infants. They also stock works by local and Israeli artists, plus a selection of books and CDs. Beth Israel is at 4350 Oak St.

• Krayna Feinberg, rebbitzin of Beth Israel, has been making her own designs from home for almost 20 years. At www.kraynaskreations.com you'll find a cornucopia of soft sculpture, needlepoint and appliqué Judaica. Feinberg offers infant bibs, blankets and pillows, as well as towels, challah covers and jewelry boxes. Each can be personalized for gifts or special occasions.

• Myra Samet also maintains a personal touch at Yoffi Creations. She makes decorative platters and plates with both Jewish and non-Jewish themes – including several marked with Chanukah symbols. She also makes personalized photo albums for b'nai mitzvah, weddings and other special events. Her work can be purchased at the Bohemia Gallery, 3423 Main St., or by calling 604-737-9940.

• You can mail order Chanukah gifts direct from Israel at the Gans Jerusalem website, www.gans.co.il/index_hun.html. They offer menorot in resin, glass, ceramic and metal, as well as candles, hand-painted dreidels and latke plates. The company also sells a wide range of Judaica, jewelry, decorative art and personalized gifts for all ages.

• At Pacific Judaica, Marnie Greenwald has the perfect gift for the customer who just can't find that "special something." She carries "modern and funky Judaica" – items for many holidays, including Chanukah. She has a wide selection of kippot for weddings and b'nai mitzvah, as well as ketubot – and for Chanukah, a selection of menorot and platters, as well as a knife set enclosed in a dreidel. Pacific Judaica can be reached at 604-737-1854, or by e-mail at pacificjudaica@telus.net.

• If you're looking for Chanukah artwork or other Jewish holiday art, or some unique works of photography, visit www.orchiddesigns.net. It's the creative website of Jewish Bulletin editor Baila Lazarus, on which she sells prints of her watercolors. She also has an extensive collection of scenic and abstract photography from around the world, which she sells framed or unframed. Her work has been exhibited at the Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. She can be reached at baila@orchiddesigns.net or at 604-873-2530.

Katharine Hamer is a Vancouver freelance writer.

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