do any directions come with the Hanukkah items?

**dianasmama** · December 21st, 2004, 01:34 PM

I want to get these for next year, but need to understand them more, is there any pamphlet at all that comes with these?

I'll have to get a childrens book to learn/explain next year. Last week, Diana asked if we had a dreidel because she saw it on one of her children's shows and I told her we'd have to get one for Lindsey.

I then went on to explain to her that we were not Jewish, we were Christians and people worship God in many different ways and for next year we'd learn about Hanukkah. Ok, she was fine with that.

Now it gets funny. So then we go to my MIL's Sunday for pizza and she had a few xmax decorations up, including a set of light up candles in the window. She walks into MIL and says "oh Grandma, you're Jewish!". She thought it was the menorrah! My MIL is very strict Catholic and the look of shock on her face was just too funny! (dh is no longer Catholic) Let's just say that my MIL is not the most open person. I really expected her to freak out, but she recovered well in front of a 4 year old. I'm sure she doesn't approve of the way we openly encourage Diana to explore other viewpoints, but I just chalk it up to her coming from a different time.

Laurie

**lieu2** · December 21st, 2004, 02:05 PM

Laurie, I don't have this set but plan to get it for Kaitlin. Our Heather doll, which is a Magic Attic doll, is Jewish. So I went out and bought Shabbat candles for her. I unfortunately goofed because the candles are too small for an 18" doll. So we celebrate mini shabbat. But I would like to order the bread and some other play foods for our dolls. It is just a matter of time and money. But Ubarose and some other members of the board are Jewish and they can point you to some websites. I plan on teaching Kaitlin about different religions and cultures. I am a little surprised by your MIL, because Jesus was a Jew and if nothing else Diana should learn something about Judiaism because of Jesus. I do know that Hanukkah is not really a big important holiday for Jews. The candles represent the 8 days that the oil burned. But I am sure you can get a better explanation from a website devoted to this topic. I read an excellent book called The gift of the Jews. You should read it sometime. I think I should reread it.

**jrtmom3274** · December 21st, 2004, 02:50 PM

Laurie, I think that your MIL should be thrilled to have such a bright granddaughter! There aren't many 4yos out there who would recognize a symbol of a religion their family doesn't practice. The events surrounding Hanukkah are one of God's miracles; I certainly don't see anything wrong with Christians studying it and thanking God for this miracle. In fact, I think knowing about it can strengthen faith... but I digress!

I got Lindsey the Hanukkah accessories. They do have a little flier in them, but you'd be better off with a children's book from the library. There are several good ones, "The Story of Hanukkah," which seems to be written specifically for this purpose, and for the dog-loving Diana, there is even "Happy Hanukkah, Biscuit!" about a little dog who goes to a Hanukkah celebration.

Oh... by the way, one of my dogs ate Lindsey's dreidel!

**dianasmama** · December 21st, 2004, 02:54 PM

Thanks Heather, I'll look for that one, we have a couple of other Buiscuit books too!

**schallerwoods** · December 21st, 2004, 02:55 PM

I saw a wonderful, simple book at Borders the other day called my first Hanukkah. It is designed for young Jewish children and would be an excellent tool for explaining Hanukkah for non Jewish children.

It explains the Hannukkah oil, menorah, special foods etc. As well as gelt, dreidels and songs.

There is also this site, geared toward older age groups.
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibi...raditions.html

Nann

courtneysunshine · December 21st, 2004, 05:40 PM

Laurie, there are also some great educational websites for children that explain everything about Hanukkah and about the dreidel game. I think enchantedlearning.com is one of them. I don't have them bookmarked anymore, but an Internet search would find them for you. A few years ago when my daughter was three or four, we made our own dreidel from one of these websites and played the game. She really enjoyed it and every year we learn about Hanukkah, the history and traditions, and play the game. I think you would really be happy with the AG set. It is nicely made and I think you, your daughter, and Lindsey would love it. We finally found our set and played with it with the dolls this year. I have some pictures, but we are behind in getting them up.

Kim [img]smile.gif[/img]

**ubarose** · December 22nd, 2004, 03:43 AM

I usually refer people to websites, but since the question has been asked more than once, here are directions.

How to Make Hannukah, or Hanukkah, or Chanukah

We begin anytime after sunset, when family members and guests are assembled. Some prefer to eat dinner before lighting the candles some after. Mostly we eat before and after.

Put a candle in the middle cup of the hannukiah (menorah). This candle is called the shamash. It is used to light the other candles. On the first night, also put one candle in the far right cup of the hannukiah. On the second night put two candles in the two far right cups. On the third night use the three, far right cups, etc. A hannukiah is filled from right to left, but lit left to right, so the newest candle is always kindled first. It is traditional on the second night of Hannukah to get into a debate over the whole left to right, right to left thing, until someone has to go and look it up in a book to prove that they are correct.

Light the shamash and then used it to light the other candles. While lighting the candles two blessings are recited. This is important, we recite the blessings while lighting the candles, not before, not after. Everyone knows the first blessing by heart. No one can ever seem to remember the entire second one, so we sort of stumble through it. It's kind of like "Jingle Bells." Everyone knows the first verse, but who knows the second? One popular tradition is to have a cheat sheet for the second blessing, which you accidently light on fire around the third night. This makes for a little excitement, with much jumping up and down and beverage tossing.

On the first night only, a third blessing is recited, which not only does no one know by heart, but also includes the word "vihigianu," which most of us over the age of 25, but under the age of 50 can't remember how to pronounce. Therefore, on the first night of Hannukah, give the honor of lighting the candles to either a child who is Hebrew school, or your great uncle.

After the candles are lit, every one says Happy Hannukah, and there is much hugging and laughing. Then we open gifts and eat; or eat and open gifts, or eat while openning gifts.

So, maybe you are surprised that this seems perhaps a bit unorganized and lacking in solemnity. What can I say. We can't even decide how to spell the name of the Holiday, how can we expect to get through eight days of left to right, right and left, with the Hebrew, and the lighting things on fire with the children in a room full of gifts and candy with out a few mistakes. Not to mention the latka frying, with the grease, and the slipping and the fire extinguisher.

Anyway here is the first blessing:

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam asher kid'shanu bemitzvotav vitzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hannukah.

A rough translation is:

Holy One of Blessing, Your Presence Fills Creation, Making us holy with your Commandments and calling us to light the lights of Hannukah.