Oh Chanukah

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arrrgylesocks

Oh Chanukah

Tags:

chanukah

happy chanukah

latkes

jewish mother

Well it's official - I'm a Jewish mother.

As you all know, this week we are celebrating Chanukah. Candles, presents, Latkes, songs, dreidels, fun.

When I went to pick up the boy from school last Friday, one of his teachers (who happens to be Muslim) asked me when Chanukah started. They wanted to teach the kids about holidays other than Christmas. So I told her the start date, and told her I'd see what we had to bring in to teach the kids about Chanukah.

On Monday, the head teacher of his class asked me if I could bring in stuff about Chanukah - a book, coloring pages, she wanted to make a food dish w/the kids. So we brought in Av's "Blue's Clues Chanukah" book (did you know that Orange Kitten is Jewish - now you do) and suggested frozen latkes w/applesauce for the kids. I explained that you don't pronounce the "C" in front of Chanukah (she'd never seen it spelled that way before). Unfortunately I haven't yet had the chance get all the kid dreidels & gelt. As one of my friends recently put it - Chanukah is awesome - food, gambling, & presents - what's not to love?

When I was the same age, and also the only Jewish kid in my preschool class, my parents asked the school if the kids would learn about holidays other than Christmas. Even though it was a secular school, they said "Oh yes!" So a few weeks later, they called my parents to tell them that the school's theme this year would be "Christmas around the world" but my class would be "Chanukah". Nice.

So my parents contacted the local JCC for educational materials that would be preschool appropriate. Someone from the JCC came in w/my parents to teach us all about Chanukah. My parents made latkes for the class, played dreidel. It was all good. There was one boy in the class who was plain clueless, my father recalls that this kid just had a blank look on his face. Until it came time to light the Chanukiah. At that point his face lit up - he got it. And as soon as they were done lighting the candles - he exclaimed at the top of his voice "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

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sandyquill on

Re: Oh Chanukah

I thought it was official, like, when Avi was born?

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nomad on

Re: Oh Chanukah

Awesome stories. =)

Sounds like Avi's school is cooler than yours' was in terms of cultural awareness.

And that "Happy Birthday"-kid. Awesome.

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laughwithme on

Re: Oh Chanukah

Hehe, I loved the "Happy Birthday" kid.

My daughter's school is doing the opposite, and I'm a little upset about it. They're teaching the kids about all the other celebrations except Christmas. I was perplexed when she came home with Chanukah information and recipes for latkes (which they made at school, too), but then announced that they wouldn't be covering Christmas. I'm rather annoyed, but I'm also keeping my mouth shut; after all, we're Atheists and Christmas to us is all about gift giving.

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arrrgylesocks on

Re: Oh Chanukah

See - now that's not right either. If you're going to teach about Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and at least this year Eid, then you should learn about Christmas too. That doesn't bother me at all. In fact, on Friday I was commenting to one of the teachers about how cute the classroom wreath they made was (they cut out green construction handprints for each kid). Av's teacher told me that they were going to do that but each kid, but didn't have time so they made "seasonal trees". I laughed - because come on, it's a Christmas tree. But she said they called them something different because not everyone in the class celebrates Christmas. I'm all for being inclusive, but call it what it is. (Besides, I'm just going to put it in the "art we're not keeping pile" anyway.) My kid knows what Christmas is, we don't live in a bubble, and I've never stopped him from singing the Christmas carols that he learned courtesy of The Wiggles. He just knows that we celebrate something different. I appreciate that his teacher this year has gone out of her way to teach about Chanukah, but it's nothing I ever worried about in the past. Next year will be different, since the plan is that he'll be going to a Jewish school.

What's the worst thing that would happen if you were to say something? (I can't imagine you not speaking your mind!) Have you asked other parents what they thought?

...socKs.

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Andieland on

Re: Oh Chanukah

YES, I did know that orange kitten was jewish, but until this time or passover time not many children ask about it. My son is 3 and he asked me about a "spinny thingy" the other day. It took me awhile to catch on that he was trying to tell me about the dreidel. It has been quite awhile since I celebrated with my jewish friends ( we had a falling out years ago) but that history is still so important, especially so the children understand that rich differences in culture and traditions. Thank you so much for sharing and reminding us of good will and blessings for everyone. Oh and if you have a good "matza ball stuffing" recipe I would love to have it!

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arrrgylesocks on

Re: Oh Chanukah

Matzah ball stuffing? Never heard of that, but it sounds yummy!

...socKs.

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Andieland on

Re: Oh Chanukah

a girl I used to know-- her mom made it, it was awesome but that was a lifetime ago.