Youngsters at Chabad Prepare for Chanukah by Giving

MONROE, NY [CHI] — At Chabad Of Orange County, children of all ages are busy getting ready for the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. At Chabad Hebrew School, students collected kosher canned items and dry goods to send to Jewish soldiers in Iraq. The children loved designing dreidel-shaped cards with personal messages for the soldiers and packaged the cards and food with chocolate Chanukah “gelt” (coins). “This project flows with the holiday spirit of giving and sharing,” says Chana Burston, director of Chabad Hebrew School. “On Chanukah we add an additional candle to the Menorah each night, signifying that we must always increase in good deeds. It’s empowering for the children to feel that they can send something special to thank the soldiers who are helping our country.” Brendon Pearlman, age 12, of Chester was excited about the idea of this project. “It’s cool that we can send kosher food and Chanukah treats to soldiers across the ocean, and that they will see that kids over here made them cards and care about them,” he said.

At Chabad’s Torah Trooper preschool program, ages two through five, children learned to make potato latkes, pretended to be latkes jumping on a giant frying pan, danced inside a “magic dreidel”, enjoyed Chanukah parachute fun and designed beautiful Menorahs. At Chabad’s “Mommy & Me with a Jewish Twist”, age infant through two years, babies and mommies enjoyed Chanukah songs with instruments, playing with giant stuffed dreidels, and tasting Chanukah treats.

Children of all ages are looking forward to Chabad’s exciting Chanukah events, including public Menorah lightings throughout the County and a grand Chanukah Bowl party and show. For more information on Chabad’s programs and Chanukah events, call 782-2770, write Rabbi@ChabadOrange.com, or log onto ChabadOrange.com.