An Early Start to Chanukah

QUEENS, NY [CHI] — Despite the unexpected snow and cold weather, more than 60 children from public schools brought their parents and siblings to a pre-Chanukah exhibition.

The event was held in the Bukharin Jewish Community Center in Queens and was aided by Rabbi Yitzchok Wolowik.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

The brainstorm of Mendy Shanowitz and the head of NCFJC’s Release Time Department, Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, the program was intended to give the parents a taste of what their children are doing every Wednesday as well as giving them an opportunity to meet their children’s religious instructors. Further, with the holiday of Chanukah around the corner, the program served as a timely reminder of the ways to celebrate and properly observe the laws of this joyous holiday.

The event, in a word, was a hit.

The children, who don’t currently attend Yeshivah or Jewish school, depend on their weekly instructors for their Jewish education and information. Every Wednesday since 1941, Yeshivah students studying in Central Lubavitch Yeshivah – 770 volunteer to what has affectionately been dubbed as the “Released Time Program”; covering over 50 Public Schools in the Brooklyn-Queens area, the volunteers work to impart some of Judaism’s richness and meaning to the children, in a fun and exciting setting.

This Sunday’s program certainly attained that goal.

Starting of with a wide array of Chanukah themed Arts ‘n Crafts, the children were quickly caught up in the excitement. With a dash of paint here and a blob of glue there, the crafts quickly took the shape of creatively designed Chanukah Dreidels, necklaces, Jewish sand art themes and special Chanukah mugs. The budding artists were then given a choice between face-painting and a Chanukah video presentation.

At the center of it all stood a gigantic Dreidel filled with with hundreds upon hundreds of miniature Dreidels. The children received turns at guessing just how many smaller Dreidels this oversized spinning top contained. And to really bring Chanukah to life, the ancient Chanukah hero, Yehuda Maccabee paid the delighted children an unexpected visit; he kindly paused to pose for a picture for any kid who, like himself, was proud to be Jewish.

Following a resounding Davening (prayer session) and just when it seemed that the excitement had reached its peak, the participants were introduced to the highlight of the program: at the far end of the hall stood a genuine olive press. As you probably know, one of main reasons for the holiday of Chanukah is the “miracle of the oil,” which occurred when the Jews, having won a miraculous struggle against the mighty armed forces of ancient Syrian-Greeks, discovered a small jug of pure olive oil in the defiled Holy Temple. They needed this oil to rededicate the Temple by lighting the Menorah (candelabra); however, the small quantity of olive oil miraculously burned for eight days instead of the usual one day – a clear symbol of G-d’s affection for His people. In commemoration, Jews worldwide annually light a Menorah containing olive oil, and also eat food fried in oil, such as doughnuts and Latkes (potato pancakes).

At the olive press exhibit, the children watched olive oil being produced in the exact same manner as the Maccabees produced it. It was a real eye opener. With just a slight touch of modern technology – used to speed up the process – Levi Gajer captivated the audience with his clear step-by-step demonstration. Naturally, the children participated, some turning the wheel with others throwing in whole olives. At the end of the process, the participants were actually able to light their Menorahs with some of the oil they had just produced.

The fantastic event ended off with a raffle and piping hot Latkes & applesauce for all. As they filed out you could sense a deep appreciation for our heritage, with parents and children alike inclined to bring even more Jewish awareness into their homes and lives.