Edmonton Jewish News Digital Edition - December 2014

December 2014

Cover: Hannukah dreidels in Jerusalem's Mechane Yehuda Market. Photo: Adiel Lo, ccby3.0Publication Mail Agreement Number: 40050628

EDMONTON

NEWS

Volume 24, No. 11

Happy Chanukah!Happy Chanukah!Happy Chanukah!

Edmonton Jewish News December 2014

Aliza Asbell, Talmud Torah student

In October, the Grade 9 students of Talmud Torah Schooland Grade 9 students from Emek Hahula School in Israelgot the special opportunity to participate in a program calledP2G, which stands for Partner Together. Over the course often days, the Israelis and Canadians became a family,learned about being Jews in the diaspora and in Israel, andshared many fun and meaningful experiences. The Israelisenjoyed seeing Edmonton for the first time, and theCanadians enjoyed showing them our city and Jewishcommunity.

On October 5th, eight students and two teachers arrivedat the Edmonton Airport. After nine years of sending emailsand cards back and forth it was amazing to meet some of ourpen pals! The next day we got to show them our school, aswell as perform in and watch the Chagei Tishrei Assembly.The Israeli students also met the younger grades and ranfun activities for them. We spent the evening packing andgetting ready to go to Jasper, which we left for early Tuesdaymorning. Jasper was definitely a highlight of the trip -mountain hiking, seeing a canyon, swimming, hanging outin the hotel and driving were all great bonding experiences.On Erev Sukkot we drove back to Edmonton.

We all went to Beth Israel for services on the first day ofSukkot, followed by Sushi in the Sukkah at RabbiFriedman’s house. Rabbi Rose invited us to his sukkah thatevening. On the second day of Sukkot all the Grade 9’sparticipated in the community Sukkah Hop. Many Israelistudents said they appreciated how inviting our communitywas, and that they were really happy that everyonewelcomed them into their sukkot and to Edmonton ingeneral.

On Saturday morning, Matthew Dance led all the Grade9’s on a walking tour through the river valley and someravines on the way to Ross Goldsand’s Bar Mitzvah at BethShalom. Seeing the river was really beautiful. It was verynice of the Goldsands to invite all of the Israeli students to

the Bar Mitzvah. In theafternoon we got ready forthe party. Another really funpart of the trip was going tothe West Edmonton Mall.We all had lots of fun at thewaterpark, as well asshopping and walkingaround. On Thanksgivingwe all went to the CornMaze. The last full day theIsraelis were here they wenton a tour of Edmonton whilethe Canadians went toschool. After hanging outand doing fun activities, itwas hard being separatedfrom our friends and going toschool that day. In theevening we went to Robin’shouse to give her feedbackabout the P2G experiencethis year.

I’m certain that almosteveryone agrees with mewhen I say that P2G waswonderful. We all madefriends that will last alifetime. We’re all superexcited for April becausethat’s when theEdmontonians will go toIsrael. We’ll get to see EmekHahula school and visit thefamilies of the students webilleted. What we’re reallyexcited about is just to beable to see our friends again.

Israeli students visit Edmonton forP2G program

Talmud Torah grade nine students enjoyed showing off the Rocky Mountainsto Israeli students from their P2G sister school Emek Hahula. They extend aspecial thank you to the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for sponsoring thisannual visit (MIFGASH). The students are looking forward to reconnect withtheir friends this spring on their grade 9 Israel trip.

By Ben Sales, JTA

For the second time in about two years, Israel appears tobe headed toward elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at aDec. 2 news conference that he will support a bill to dissolvethe Knesset, leading to elections next spring.

Ahead of the announcement, Netanyahu fired two keyCabinet ministers, Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni, after theypublicly criticized his performance as prime minister.

"In this government it's much harder to do everything forthe security and welfare of Israel's citizens," Netanyahu saidat the news conference. "This government, from the day itwas born, was adversarial. That's because my party, theLikud, didn’t get enough votes. So from the first moment,there was friction."

The collapse heralds an acrimonious end to a coalition ofrivals ranging from the nationalist-right to the center-left.The unlikely coalition agreed early on about the need tointegrate the haredi Orthodox into Israel's economy andsociety but disagreed on almost everything else -- from thePalestinian-Israeli conflict to the relationship betweenreligion and state.

Should Netanyahu win another term, he has indicatedthat he will revert to a more stable coalition of right-wingparties -- including the haredi Orthodox factions -- thatpartnered with him before 2013 but were left out of thecurrent fractious coalition.

"The previous government, I believe, was one of the best,most stable governments in the history of Israel, a true unitygovernment," Netanyahu said. "We need to elect a newgovernment, a stronger government, a more stablegovernment."

As the coalition spats morphed into a full-blown crisis,Lapid, the finance minister and head of Yesh Atid, thelargest party in Netanyahu’s coalition, castigatedNetanyahu for playing politics instead of passing sensiblelegislation, including next year’s state budget.

“These elections are not about a particular issue -- notabout security and not about society -- but an electionbetween those who came to work and those who came toblock everything," Lapid said in a speech on Dec. 2. “Wecame to work. That's all we wanted, that's all we still want.”

The Knesset is likely to approve new elections in thecoming days, leading to a national vote in March or April.Opposition parties already have proposed bills to dissolvethe Knesset. The last national elections were held inJanuary 2013. Elections are scheduled now for November2017.

A poll conducted last month by the Dialog Institutesuggested that early elections would hurt Yesh Atid andbenefit Netanyahu’s Likud party. Yesh Atid would drop from19 Knesset seats to 11, while Likud would rise from 18 to 24,the survey showed.

The nationalist Jewish Home led by Naftali Bennett

would grow from 12 to 16seats, while two center-leftparties -- Labor and Hatnua-- would drop, according tothe poll. Labor, guided by

Isaac Herzog, would fall from 15 seats to 13, and Hatnua, ledby Livni, would slip from six seats to four.

The survey also suggested general disaffection withIsrael’s current leader: Only 35 percent of respondents saidNetanyahu is fit to be prime minister.

Israeli coalition crises sometimes have been averted at

the last minute. In May 2012, a vote to dissolve the Knessetwas rendered irrelevant after Likud joined with the centristKadima party in a short-lived unity government.

Given the divisions in this coalition, however, such a dealis less likely. Since this government formed, coalitionpartners have fought over everything from peace talks to theeconomy to religious issues. Rifts began to widen after thissummer’s war in Gaza, with Bennett blaming Netanyahu fornot hitting Hamas harder and Lapid accusing Netanyahu ofbringing relations with the United States to crisis.

December 2014 Edmonton Jewish News

Netanyahu moves Israel closer to early elections

Continued on page 7


On December 3, at theBeth Shalom Synagogue, theJewish Federation ofEdmonton elected a newslate of Directors at theirAnnual General Meeting.

It was announced thatEllery Lew will be leadingthe Board in the position ofPresident taking over foroutgoing PresidentStephanie Hendin. Lew is alawyer at Witten LLP. He

was admitted to the Alberta bar in 1991 after completing hisB.Sc. in Computer Engineering (1987) at the University ofAlberta and his LL.B. (1990) at the University of Toronto. Acivil litigator, he focuses on commercial litigation, specificallyintellectual property rights, licensing and franchise law, andclaims involving fraud or mortgage fraud. He is also atrademark agent. He has a long history of outstandingservice to the Jewish Community of Edmonton and has beena valued member of several boards, serving in a variety ofleadership positions at Camp BB-Riback, BBYO and mostrecently JFed.

Lew is enthusiastic about the new challenges that he willface as President of the JFed Board. "I am excited by thechallenge," he said. " I look forward to working with our CEODebby Shoctor, the staff, Dani, Joey and Daniel, the newboard, leaders from the Federation member agencies andcommunity leaders in the Jewish community. Federation isfacing some significant challenges, in particular a decision asto what facility or facilities will replace the former JewishCommunity Centre. This is an important decision. I amoptimistic that the process which the Federation is engagedin will lead to a good decision which will benefit the broadestspectrum of our community. In addition to this issue, mynext priority is to continue Federation’s role to promote unityof purpose within our community. This can createtremendous opportunities for success. Finding commonground can be a challenge, even within our Jewish

Community, but the effort iswell worth it."

Ellery is no stranger toEdmonton. He has lived inthe city since his earliestschooling. He grew up inEdmonton and returned tothe city when he started hisprofessional career. He is along time volunteer as a UJAcanvasser and in 2010 heserved as co-chair of the UJAcampaign. He is highlyregarded in both hisprofessional and personal lifeand will draw upon his vastexperience to guide hisleadership of the JFed board.“I will Iook to the boardmembers, communityleaders and communityorganizations for guidance aswell," added Lew.

Outgoing PresidentStephanie Hendin said shelooks forward to Ellerystepping up to assume therole of Federation President."He has continually provenhimself as a valuableExecutive member, UJA co-chair and recently chairedthe search committee forFederation CEO," she noted."I am confident that he willskillfully lead the Jewishcommunity as we plan forthe future."

"I take over a Federation which has never been in bettershape," asserted Lew. "There is a positive energy with our

new CEO and talented andengaged staff as well as a lotof new blood on the board. Iaspire to maintain the highstandards set by StephanieHendin the outgoing

president, Gillian Horwitz the immediate past-president,and the many capable and dedicated presidents whopreceded them."

"Committed, knowledgeable and extremely capable arehow I would describe Ellery," concluded Hendin. "We haveworked well together for a number of years and I know wewill continue to do so, as I move on to my next coveted role -Past President."

Ellery Lew

Incoming JFed president Ellery Lew and past-president Gillian Horwitz withHowie Sniderman and Edmonton Councilor Michael Oshry at the Art Galleryof Alberta opening of the Israeli Art Exhibit "A Moving Image, " sponsored bythe Jewish Federation of Edmonton. Barry Zalmanowitz, Chair of the AGAboard gave the opening remarks and many dignataries were in attendance. Thisexceptional exhibit will be at the AGA until January 4.

JFed announces new President of the Board: Ellery Lew


by Rabbi Kliel Rose

Congregation BethShalom

Historically, Hanukkahwas a public festivalcommemorating theconquest by the Maccabeesof the Greeks and the re-dedication of the Temple in165 BCE. The Hebrew rootof the word “Hanukkah”

means “to dedicate.”Scholars suspect that since the Maccabees were not able

to celebrate Sukkot during the war, they chose to celebratetheir victory and the re-dedication of the Temple for oneweek, parallel to the length of Sukkot. Central to the holidaywas each family’s obligation to light a hanukkiyah, a ninebranched candelabra, in the doorway or window of theirhome publicizing their dedication to Judaism. We are alsotaught that a key element of the Hanukkah story is thevictory of the small Maccabean group over the much largerand mightier opposition, considered to be an absolutemiracle.

It is interesting to note that the rabbis of the Talmudspecifically highlighted the miracle theme to the holiday ofHanukkah. However, it was not the one connected to victoryagainst the enemy. In tractate Shabbat 21 in the BabylonianTalmud, the rabbis explain that after their victory, theMaccabees rededicated the Temple but only had enough oilto last one night. A miracle occurred and instead of burningone night, the oil burned for eight nights.

According to the The Oxford Concise Dictionary miraclesare defined as: 1) an extraordinary event attributed to somesupernatural agency 2) any remarkable occurrence.

While not authoritative in quite the same way as thedictionary, Queen, one of Rock & Roll’s most well-knownbands, wrote a popular hit song with the title The Miracle.The song defines everyday things such as rain and birth asmiracles. One poignant verse, “Captain Kook and Cain andAble, Jimmy Hendrix and the Tower of Babel/ it's a miracle.”Maybe what the writer of this song is stating is that allthings of beauty that we can admire bring into questionwhether humans alone created these seemingly miraculousthings or whether we had help/inspiration from G-d.

A standard Jewish perspective within Judaism recognizesthat any natural event is the work of G-d. Quite the reverse,Judaism has no problem with explaining what seem to be‘supernatural’ events as part of nature, because they are stillthe work of G-d.

In the Hanukah story we see the interplay betweenhumans and G-d when it comes to miracles, everyday things

and our own lives. When wecompare the two “miracles” –the victory of the few againstthe many can be explainedby socio-political factors --and the oil lasting eight days,is understood assupernatural.

On Hanukah we add aspecial liturgical paragraphknown as the Al Hanissim.It is recited in the Amidah(said three times each day)and in the Birkat Hamazonor the Grace after Meals.This special prayer is notonly added on Hanukkah,but on Purim, and for manyJews on Yom Ha’atzmaut tothank G-d for the specificmiracles of each of theseholidays.

So if this prayer does notaffirm the miracle we allhave grown up to believe isessential to the holiday, thenwhat is the point of recitingthe Al Hanissim prayer onHanukah?

Perhaps the goal inreciting this prayer is tocultivate a sense of gratitude– thanking G-d for themiracles, reminding us not totake things for granted, tohelp us refocus Hanukkah, tomake us think aboutmiracles in our time.

As we recite the AlHanissim, the prayer givingthanks for the miraculousdeliverance of our ancestorswe reflect on the light thatburns so brightly for those ofus who live in a society thatvalues our right to celebrateour faith freely.

May we, in recalling the ancient miracles, as well as theordinary daily miracles we witness, strengthen our resolve topreserve Judaism. And may we come to understand thatthrough the practice of the particularism held within thesesacred traditions, we will foster in our hearts concern for all;our expression of the universal.

On behalf of my family and the entire Beth Shalom

Kehillah, I want to extend a joyous and illuminating holidayto the whole Edmonton Jewish community.

Chag Urim Sameach,Kliel

Celebrating miracles in our time

Rabbi Kliel Rose

The Edmonton Jewish Community commemorated Remembrance Day at theJewish Cemetery to pay tribute to the Jewish heroes who served Canada in theArmed Forces. Among those attending were several students representing BnaiBrith Youth Organization: Billy Sky, Tevyn Shadlyn, Sam Goldsand, EthanZwaigenbaum, Emma Zwaigenbaum and Zac Tankel.

Rememberance Day 2014

by Rabbi D. Friedman

Beth Israel Synagogue

The project of theNational HolocaustMonument is moving along.In terms of fundraising, wehave surpassed thegovernment’s generousmatching grant. We haveprocured the finest team inthe world, headed by GailLord and featuring world-

renowned designer Daniel Libeskind. We plan to light theeternal flame in the spring, with the completion of themonument scheduled for summer 2016. The message of themonument is one of memory of the victims but hope for thefuture.

Following the defeat of the Greeks by the Hasmoneans,we entered the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to find ourSanctuary in disarray. In an attempt to destroy the soul ofthe Jewish people, the Greeks had defiled everything. Wesearched and searched until finally one small cruse of oil wasdiscovered containing enough oil to last just one day. Wecelebrate eight days and nights of Chanukah tocommemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.

By the end of WWII, our people were utterly crushed. TheNazis had not only come close to our complete physicalannihilation, they had almost entirely destroyed the soul ofthe Jewish people. But while others might have languishedfor generations in self-pity, we picked ourselves up out of theashes and began to build families and institutions and makeincredible contributions to the new lands in which we found

ourselves. Our beloved country of

Canada had one of thehighest rates of acceptance ofJewish refugees, Holocaustsurvivors with nowhere toturn. They came withnothing and became some ofthe greatest contributors tothe Canadian economy and society. Despite their efforts todefile our soul, we refused to allow the Greeks or theGermans to destroy us. We searched and searched for thatlone cruse of oil that would bring light to the darkness wehad experienced.

Likewise, the citizens and leaders of Canada would notallow their future to be dictated by the attitudes of the past.Today, Canada stands at the forefront of combating humanrights abuses around the world. Our government recognizesthe challenges that Israel faces on a daily basis and hasbecome its strongest supporter and ally in the world,defending it from the constant onslaught of those who wishto undermine Israel’s legitimacy and ultimately destroy us.

The National Holocaust Monument reflects our past,present, and future. As one enters, one is overcome by theconcrete structure and confused by the unclear path to takethrough the maze of the configuration. During this journey,one comes face to face with the Holocaust through pictures,images and memories.

But as one climbs the stairs to the second level (there willbe a glass elevator available), one sees a ray of light shiningthrough the darkness. This one small cruse of oil is whatmakes our monument uniquely Canadian. Emergingthrough the cracks, one immediately encounters a clear viewof Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower. At this point, oneremembers how many Holocaust survivors came to Canada,built their lives here and became an integral part of thefabric of our nation.

At the same time, one is reminded that this monumentrepresents Canada’s commitment to the future, to ensuringthat such atrocities never happen again to any peopleanywhere in the world. One feels comforted by the thoughtof the haven Canada has provided for the Jewish people andcontinues to provide for persecuted peoples across the globe.There is not a nation on the planet that reflects these valuesthe way Canada expresses and acts upon the conviction touphold morality and welcome the stranger and the needy.The light of Chanukah, the light of hope and freedom, burnsbright in this country.

There are still opportunities to be part of this historicproject. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of theCanadian people and we appreciate every contribution,however small or large. Current donations range from tendollars to one hundred seventy five thousand dollars.Donations of twenty five thousand and up will be recognizedon the monument in perpetuity and may be paid ininstallments over time.

We have gone to great lengths to ensure that themonument is protected and accessible year-round. Yourparticipation in the project will enable us to have ongoingeducational resources and technological advances,maintaining the role and relevance of the monument forgenerations to come.

The monument and its message belong to all Canadians.Become a part of its eternal flame and encourage yourfamily, friends, neighbours and colleagues to take part! Formore information, go to www.holocaustmonument.ca.

Next Deadline: January 6, 2015

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Volume 24, Number 11, December 2014

PUBLISHER / EDITOR: Deborah ShatzADVERTISING: Dan MoserFOUNDING PUBLISHER: Barry Slawsky

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Rabbi Daniel Friedman

The Holocaust Monument and theMiracle of Chanukah

Holocaust Education Chair Gary Goldsand introduced Kristallnacht eventguest speaker Dr. Jeremy Maron, curator from the recently opened CanadianMuseum of Human Rights in Winnipeg. The program included a candle lightingceremony to honour the victims of the Holocaust.

Kristallnacht ceremony


by Rabbi Shimon Moch

Temple Beth Ora

This Hanukkah, wekindle our little lights in aworld that seems darkerthan any in recent memory.It is a world in which radicalbands of thugs havemassacred scores of non-Muslim miners in Kenya,

and dozens of young students in Nigeria. They havekidnapped hundreds of young women, selling them tosoldiers as child wives. A monstrous and evil Islamic statetakes shape consuming all the territory it can like a blackhole from which no light emerges. All of this evil comes fromthose who think they act as G-d’s champions when in factthey defile G-d and besmirch the name of G-d and do

grievous damage to religion in general.As dark as this world seems, it was darker still by far just

a generation ago. Yes, our world is impure, yet we continueto keep hope alive, to light little candles in the darkness. Tothe Jews at the time of the Hasmonean revolt of Matityahuand his band of rebellious Judeans, the world must haveseemed truly dark. The conquering Greeks did not merelyexert military control; they also outlawed the practice ofmitzvot, laboring to nullify the Jewish religion and theysucceeded to a considerable extent.

In the midst of this spiritual darkness, a revolution beganthat pitted these rag tag fighters against the mighty GreekArmy of Antiochus. It also pitted Jew against Jew. Whenthe Hasmoneans regained the Temple, they found it in acontaminated state, with pagan idols and the sacrifice ofswine to them in the Temple itself. Jews had beenparticipating in that defiling pagan worship.

In this context, we can see the miracle of one day’s oilburning for eight days as a sign of G-d’s continuing Presenceand protection of the people and of G-d’s acceptance of their

return from the pagan worship that had lured many fromtheir ancestral faith.

No matter how far we have strayed, the message of theHanukkah lights remains the same: we can always return,we can always rededicate ourselves -- and G-d always waitsfor us. That remains as true in our personal lives as in ourcollective life. No matter how far we feel we have fallen inlife, we can feel assured that G-d will accept us back.

From the opposite perspective, as a Jewish community,we must not only keep the light of hope alive for Jews whosuffer anti-Semitism and for others who suffer in this darkworld. We must also be present for individuals dwelling infear and darkness that we encounter along the way. Inoffering a helping hand and an encouraging word, we mightdispel a darkness that otherwise might have been passed onto a hundred generations.

May the message of the lights you kindle this Hanukkahbring you closer to G-d, to your heritage and to each other.May the light that you generate spread from individual toindividual until that light fills the world.

Kindling our lights in a dark world

Rabbi Shimon Moch

MONTREAL, QC –Canadian Hadassah-WIZO(CHW) is delighted toannounce that ClaudiaGoldman, of Vancouver, hasbeen elected as CHW’stwenty-second NationalPresident. The installationtook place at CHW’s AnnualGeneral Meeting in Toronto,November 16, 2014.

A second generation

Vancouverite, Claudia holds a Master of Library andInformation Science from the University of British Columbia(UBC) as well as a B.A. in Art History and Religious Studiesfrom UBC. Over the course of her professional career,Claudia held roles as a Law Firm Librarian, ReferenceLibrarian, and Library Technical Services Head. She notesthat her education has “led to a life-long fascination withcreative uses of technology.”

As she assumes the position of National President,Claudia, a multi-faceted and talented individual, brings withher volunteer experience from numerous boards and variouscharitable organizations. She has been a dedicated volunteer

for over 20 years. Notably, Claudia was the Assistant to theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordinator (TVand Audiovisual Rights) at the Vancouver Winter Olympicsin 2010. As an avid golfer, she has also served as a Marshalat the Canadian Open Golf Tournament.

A long-time member and leader within CHW for 27 years,Claudia aims, over her two-year term, to concentrate onpartnership through three components: Israel, volunteersand donors. She says, “My vision for CHW is based on thebelief that each child we help is a life changed. Each womanwe support is a life improved for the better. Each family weimpact becomes strengthened. CHW makes it possible tofulfill the dream of making the world a better place, and wewill continue to reach this goal by working hand-in-handwith our partners in Israel, our volunteers and donors.”

CHW elects 22nd National President

Claudia Goldman

Netanyahu said that hewants to avoid a repeat ofsuch battles and wouldpartner with Jewish Homeand the haredi Orthodoxparties, which helpedprovide him with a stablegovernment between 2009and 2012. Such a coalitionwould oppose makingconcessions to thePalestinians and likely

would seek to roll back laws passed last year that included

haredi men in Israel's mandatory conscription and cutsubsidies to haredi families.

Yesh Atid, which was elected last year to pass those laws,likely will fade along with the promise it made to representthe Israeli political center. The history of the Knesset islittered with consensus-minded centrist parties that rose inone election only to fall in the next.

Some of Yesh Atid’s losses would probably translate intogains for a new economically progressive centrist party ledby former Likud minister Moshe Kahlon that is predicted towin 13 seats. The as-yet unnamed party probably wouldcaucus with the right, further strengthening Netanyahu'sright-wing bloc.

Before any national election campaign gets under way,Netanyahu and Bennett face primary contests in their own

parties.Bennett must fend off conservative rivals within Jewish

Home, a coalition of several religious Zionist factions. InLikud, which is slated to hold a primary in January,Netanyahu faces a challenge from Danny Danon, a formerdeputy defense minister to Netanyahu’s right who was firedafter he publicly criticized the prime minister’s handling ofthe Gaza war.

Though the fight in recent weeks between Netanyahu onone side and Lapid and Livni on the other over a proposedlaw that would enshrine Israel’s status as a Jewish statehelped highlight the divisions within the coalition, thecurrent coalition crisis seemed weeks, if not months, in themaking.

The question now is what comes next.

Elections Cont. from page 3

Benjamin Netanyahu

by Penny Schwartz, JTA

Back in 1984, when Eric Kimmel was an up-and-comingchildren's book author, he tried his hand at a Hanukkahstory, one featuring goblins. Overly cautious Jewish editorsrejected the manuscript, not knowing what to make of it,Kimmel recalled.

“It was strange. It didn't look like any other Hanukkahbooks and didn't fit into any neat category. It wasn't a folktale and it was kind of creepy,” he told JTA with his signaturesense of humor and tell-it-like-it-is manner.

Kimmel tucked the story away in a drawer for a while.Years later, some keen-eyed editors, first at Cricket

magazine and later at Holiday House, took a chance onKimmel's offbeat tale, “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins,”illustrated by the late acclaimed artist Trina Schart Hyman.

The book was recognized with a 1989 Caldecott Honorand went on to win a place in the hearts and homes of Jewishand non-Jewish families, schoolteachers and librariansacross the country. "Hershel" has been in print ever since.

Now, in time for Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival ofLights that begins this year on the evening of Dec. 16,Holiday House has issued its 25th anniversary edition of“Hershel and Hanukkah Goblins,” with a new afterword byKimmel and Holiday House publisher John Briggs, whobrought the book to light.

And Kimmel has a new Hanukkah tale out this year,“Simon and the Bear.”

As "Hershel and Hanukkah Goblins" opens, a wanderingpoor Jewish man named Hershel arrives in a Jewish villageon a snowy day at the start of the holiday. For years, thetownsfolk have been scared off by goblins from celebratingHanukkah, they tell him. The evil doers blow out theHanukkah candles, break the dreidels and throw the latkeson the floor, they bemoan.

But Hershel tells the rabbi he is not afraid.“If I can't outwit a few goblins, then my name isn't

Hershel of Ostropol,” Hershel says.Each of the eight Hanukkah nights, Hershel outwits the

goblins, one more menacing than the next. In the end, withclever maneuvers and quick thinking, he breaks their evilspell and returns the Festival of Lights back to the townsfolkwith a triumph to match the holiday's own miracle.

Growing up, Kimmel enjoyed hearing stories of Hershel ofOstropol from his storytelling grandmother. He sees the folkcharacter as a hero among the people, the opposite of thefools of Chelm.

Hershel has street smarts, is practical and takes on the

mighty and powerful.“He's surviving day to

day and using his wits,”Kimmel says.

The book was hailed as aperfect match between the master storyteller and SchartHyman, whose vibrant paintings set the tone with darkenedscenes illuminated by the golden glow of the Hanukkahcandles and shiny gelt coins.

In addition to the strong pairing between art and story,“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” is considered a classicbecause of Kimmel's ability to tell a mesmerizing story, saysAnita Silvey, the author of “100 Best Books for Children” and“Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Children'sBook.”

“Readers from different backgrounds learn about Jewishculture, but what pulls them along is a story,” Silvey wrotein an email.

Kimmel, 68, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.,has gone on to win two National Jewish Book Awards andthe Sydney Taylor Award for Jewish children's books.

He recalls a letter from a young reader with a Latinobackground who said Hershel was his favorite Halloweenstory. Kimmel says he receives many requests for permissionto turn the story into theatrical productions.

“I am always flattered,” he says.Kimmel says “Simon and the Bear” (Disney Hyperion;

ages 3-6) may be his best work. It's a charming, witty, feel-good adventure based on a sad story that Kimmel read aboutthe sinking of the Titanic. The book was illustrated byMatthew Trueman.

Here are some other new Hanukkah books for children:Beautiful Yetta's Hanukkah KittenDaniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Jill PinkwaterMacmillan ($17.99), ages 3-8A fun-filled collaboration between the Pinkwaters -- the

humorist Daniel and his artist wife, Jill -- will enlivenHanukkah in this new Yetta the Yiddish-speaking chickentale. Yetta's flown the coop from a Brooklyn poultry marketand takes up with a cast of nest mates who jest in Englishand Yiddish translations. A lost kitten in need of care leadsthem to celebrate Hanukkah with a warmheartedgrandmother. The large-format pages sparkle with brilliantand entertaining color illustrations.

The Dreidel That Wouldn't SpinMartha Seif Simpson; illustrated by Durga Yael BenhardWisdom Tales ($16.95); ages 5 and upIn this beautifully illustrated tale set in the old world, the

keeper of a toy shop offers a mysterious dreidel to a youngboy from a poor family. The boy's humility emits a smallmiracle from the special dreidel. An author's note explains

the holiday, dreidelsand how to play thedreidel game.

Here is the World:A Year of JewishHolidays

Leslea Newman;illustrated by SusanGal

Abrams Books forYoung Readers($18.95); ages 4-7

A lavish andbrightly illustratedbook by the award-winning writer Leslea Newman lyrically rhymes its waythrough the Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah. Endpages explain Jewish customs and holidays andinclude recipes, including fried potato latkes for Hanukkah.A perfect Hanukkah gift for young readers.

Latke, the Lucky DogEllen Fischer; illustrated by Tiphanie BeekeKar-Ben ($17. 95 hardcover; $7.95 paperback); ages 2-7A newly adopted dog from a shelter is a family Hanukkah

gift that delights a young brother and sister. Latke, the dog,feels very lucky to be living with the loving family, but ininnocence he gets into mischief and threatens to spoil theHanukkah celebrations. The story, told from Latke'sperspective, will delight dog-loving kids.

The Night Before HanukkahNatasha Wing; illustrated by Amy WummerGrosset & Dunlap ($3.99); ages 2-5This rhyming Hanukkah story for young kids is Natasha

Wing's newest entry in her best-selling series of “night-before” books. Rhymes and illustrations are lively as thestory follows a family celebrating Hanukkah and retelling asimple version of the holiday story.

Miracle for Shira: a Chanukah StoryGalia Sabbag; illustrated by Erin TaylorAvailable on www.shiraseries.com ($12; also ebook

through Amazon.com); ages 4-8This entry in a series by Galia Sabbag, a longtime Jewish

educator, features the spunky and curious Shira searchingfor her new unusual dreidel sent by her aunt in Israel that islost at school. Hebrew words, written also in English, aresprinkled throughout the text. Erin Taylor's large format,animation-like illustrations enliven the story that's a goodread for kids in Jewish and religious schools.

Celebrating Eric Kimmel's Hershel,meeting new characters



Edmonton Granite Memorials is moving! Owned and operated by three generations of the Kokolski

family, the familiar landmark on 97th Street in Edmontonhas outgrown its original location.

After more than 29 years at 11023 – 97 Street, EdmontonGranite Memorials, which has been proudly servingEdmonton’s Jewish community for 55 years, is relocating itsoperation to a new home at 13615 – 149th Street in January,2015.

The new location, at more than 9,000 square feet, will beone of Canada’s most prestigious monument companies.

The new, large manufacturing plant will accommodatestate of the art equipment, and an expanded graphic anddesign dept with advanced computer and laser technology tocreate personalized monuments displaying memories offamilies’ loved ones.

Families will be able visit a new, much larger showroomwith wall displays featuring laser design, photo options andother memorial accessories that can be added to a FamilyMemorial. They can tour the manufacturing plant to viewthe process involved in completing their family monument,and view computer generated renderings on large TVscreens in private family rooms.

The indoor location will accommodate a large onsiteinventory for quicker completion and installation of familymonuments

Finally, the new Edmonton Granite Memorial location isconvenient and easily accessible from all areas of the city,with ample customer parking.

“Leaving our current location came with mixed emotions,”says Garry Kokolski. “However to better serve ourcommunity and customers, it was a necessary decision thatis very exciting for our company.”

A company’s biggest asset is its’ employees and EGM has14 staff members with a combined 250 years experience.

The Kokolski Family has been involved in the MonumentIndustry in Edmonton since 1960.

The company founder, Peter Kokolski had a passion fordesigning monuments and for assisting families of everyethnic background. Peter innovated the design of uniquestyles of monuments that are standing in the manycemeteries throughout Edmonton and surrounding areas.

Peter was well known throughout the community for hiskindness and for giving back to the community with hismany sponsorships of events and sports teams.

His son Garry has carried that tradition on since joiningthe industry in 1973 to the present day.

Garry’s wife Bernadette has been a very important part ofthe company’s growth and success.

Bernadette’s cheery presence and assistance in all

business aspects have beenessential to their success.

Garry’s son Kelly joinedthe business in 2006. He hasworked in all areas of themanufacturing andinstallation process, anddoes an outstanding job asbusiness manager.

Edmonton GraniteMemorials is more than abusiness – it is a familytradition where personalservice and loving care areprovided to the families theywork with.

Customers all over Alberta can expect the same care andattention they have always received from the Kokolski’ssince the business started in 1960.

“We are thrilled to have the space and facilities to betterserve the needs of our customers who are the most importantpeople in our business. To be able to provide the space andcomfort to consult with them and to provide a quickerturnaround from the time they order to the time we deliver

is a dream come true for us,” says Garry.Edmonton Granite Memorials sells and manufactures the

finest quality headstones and memorials at the samelocation – they guarantee the highest quality product andservice through every stage of the process.

For more information, call (780) 425-6311, [email protected] or visit: edmontongranite.ca

Edmonton Granite Memorials getsa new home

Family and staff members eagerly broke ground at the new Edmonton GraniteMemorials location which will be open next month.


The Menorah Academy students have been very busy and certainly didn't let the cold weather slow them down. The grade 7/8 boys have started an ambitious uniton soapstone carving. Centre: The school celebrated reading with its annual Pajama Reading Night. Children came in pajamas with a stuffed animal in hand, andjoined in groups for an exciting array of books, crafts and reading activities. Right: The eldest and youngest students participated in a cooking lesson to create adelicious traditional Jewish dish as part of the Rosh Chodesh celebration.

Menorah Academy Grade 4/5 students took a trip to Fort Edmonton Park despite the unexpected cooler temperatures outside. As part of the grade 5 social studiescurriculum students were able to study the fur trade and how people survived back in 1864. Right: Daycare celebrated snow’s arrival by bringing it indoors! Thecool temperatures prevented many Edmontonians from venturing out, but our daycare students had a blast collecting snow to build an indoor snowman.

Recent Activities at Menorah Academy

To advertise your business or community event call Dan780.421.7966 or email [email protected]


After many years of using the "synagogue" style kippahs, Talmud Torah has introduced the new Klipped Varsity kippah for the staff and students. 250 schools acrossNorth America have switched to the new kippah. The Klipped kippah is designed with built in clips that securely stay on the head during play and sports activities.Students were so excited about the new kippah that some have come to the office to buy additional kippahs for home.

November was cold and snowy in Edmonton but there was a lot of warmth, laughter and learning taking place at Talmud Torah School. One of the special activitieshosted by the school was an 80's Day at Talmud Torah. Staff and students had a great day of nostalgia celebrating the hair, clothes and culture of the 1980s.

This month's update for Talmud Torah School


by Zachary Tankel

From the night of thesixteenth of Decemberthrough to the twenty-fourth, Jews around theworld will be celebrating thefestival of Channukah onceagain. During Channukah,special readings from theTorah are recited in thesynagogue. Included in the

Torah reading for the eighth day of the chag is a line fromParashat Beha'alotcha, chapter eight, verse two of Numbers,in which G-d instructs Moses, "speak to Aaron, and say tohim: When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of themenorah shall the seven lamps cast light."

The medieval French rabbi commonly known as Rashiexpounds on this verse, explaining that, of the seven lampsof the original menorah, each of the three lamps on thewestern side and the three on the eastern side would all bepointed toward the centremost lamp, the wick of whichwould then be pointed toward the Holy Ark.

American rabbi David Feinstein brings forward animportant insight in his Torah commentary Kol Dodi, basedon this description. We understand the menorah to representwisdom and knowledge. All areas of study, whether they bereligious or secular, have value to them. But to truly enhancethe value of all this knowledge, we can direct it toward ahigher purpose- toward having a relationship with ourCreator.

But this concept is certainly not limited just to knowledge;any situation or factor in our lives, whether it be in the formof thought or action, can be used to work toward a single,greater goal, enhancing the meaning of and spirituality inour lives. A thirteenth-century book titled Sefer HaChinuchrecords that there is a constant commandment to have faithin G-d. Belief in G-d is not simply an intellectual exercisereserved for the synagogue or other occasions on whichreligious rituals are performed. Rather, it is also meant toenter our minds throughout our daily lives, as well. Belief in

the divine can often betterhelp us cope with life’schallenges; it provides adeeper meaning to our mostvalued relationships, and itultimately enriches themeaning and direction ofthe life paths we choose forourselves. To fulfill thismitzvah, one should believethat everything thathappens in his/her life ispersonally set up by G-d.

Therefore, given that allcircumstances in our livesare G-d's will, and it is alsoG-d's will that we shouldfulfill our purpose in thisworld, it only follows thateverything in our lives ismeant to- and can- bedirected back to Him. Allelements and factors of ourlives are meant to be takenadvantage of in workingtoward having this relationship with our Creator.

However, it is vital to first understand how to properlyhave a relationship with G-d. Ultimately, to form ameaningful connection with G-d is to live by those valueswhich are closest to our hearts. In his book MesillasYesharim, eighteenth-century Italian rabbi Moshe ChaimLuzzatto writes that our role in this world is to come closerto G-d by perfecting ourselves, in every area of character.This can include using frustrating situations to work onpatience, or joyful situations to increase our gratitude.Ultimately, to come closer to G-d, one must emulate Hisattributes as such, including kindness, compassion,patience, and generosity, to name a few. As we work onvarious character traits, we'll find that we slowly get nearerto the 'perfection' which we don't have to completely achieve,but certainly are meant to work toward.

Our lives seem to becomposed of countlessdifferent and randomelements, and it may oftenbe difficult for us to organizethem all in our minds. But

just as the menorah was constructed from one single block ofgold, G-d intends everything in life and in the universe to bein sync, as one. This is a difficult concept to internalize andaccept. But as we begin to acquire a mindset cognizant ofthis fact, slowly, the many pieces of our lives will begin tocome together to form the greater puzzle. As is stated in theShema, G-d Himself is One. Likewise, we can acknowledgethat all His creations are actually one large creation, as well.We can take the opportunity to channel all our knowledgeand all elements of our lives to achieving this one, singlegoal. As we focus on this concept of oneness, so too will themany and confusing elements of our lives slowly cometogether in sync.

Zachary is a grade twelve student at Ross Sheppard HighSchool, and lives with his family in the West End. Zac is anactive participant in Edmonton NCSY, and among otherthings, enjoys reading, cycling, and socializing with hisfriends in the Jewish community. This year, Zac will beparticipating for the second time in the CJPAC GenerationProgram, which expands Jewish teenagers' knowledge onCanadian politics and Canada-Israel relations, and is activein his fourth and final year of both BBYO and NCSY.

It may have been cold outside but NCSY members were jumping for joy at theLaunchpad trampoline park last month. For information about the NCSYprogram for students in Grades 9-12 call Beth Israel Synagogue 780-488-2840.

Zac Tankel

Oneness in the Menorah NCSY Launchpad event


Chanukah is a special time and the Jewish Senior Citizen's Centre isgearing up for a wonderful Latke Lunch on Thursday, December 18 at 11:30am. Members of the Young at Heart Choir, who have not gone south to thewarm weather, will entertain at the event with their wonderful melodies.Bozena together with a great volunteer team will be serving time honouredpotato latkes with sour cream, apple sauce & berries. Everyone has a favoritetopping. What is your preference? This has become a big deal at the centre.Last year over 120 latke lovers participated in the event. This year, they areexpecting many more!

Their limited edition Traditional to Modern Cooking: IntergenerationalCookbook is now for sale. It has become the centre’s historic legacy as well ascollection of favourite recipes from members and friends. Each recipe isillustrated by a picture of ingredients or dish and complemented by the photoof members attending the different events. How many of the members andfriends can you recognize? The cookbook is a bargain at $25 and is availableat the centre. This book makes a great Hannukkah gift!

Programming at the centre is becoming more and more popular. Hebrew forBeginners starts December 1 at 11 a.m.; Dr. Tony Fields, oncologist, speaksabout colo-rectal cancer on December 3 at 10:45 a.m.; come for lunch and tourat the Winspear Centre December 4 at 12 p.m.; learn about Financial forSeniors from Government of Canada specialists on December 10 at 10:30 a.m.;visit Niagara Falls with Svetlana December 11 at 10:45 a.m. and many otherexciting programs.

Monday through Thursday a homemade soup is served followed by salad,main course and a lovely dessert made fresh each day in the kosher dairykitchen at noon. It is definitely, the best deal in the city at $6 for members, $9for non-members.

Stop by our centre, enjoy lunch and visit with old and new friends. There isno better way to spend a winter's day in Edmonton. Come soon, we are herefor you.

Chanukah and more at theSenior's Centre

Members and volunteers were served a delicious RemembranceDay lunch at the Jewish Senior Citizens' Centre. Their famous LatkeLunch will be held on December 18 at 11:30 am. Come for lunchand buy their new cookbook.


by Rabbanit B. Friedman

Beth Israel Synagogue

I have never been big on titles.For years, I insisted thatpeople call me Batya –honestly, I was not into thewhole rebbetzin appellation.But one day I was talking toan Israeli woman in town andshe referred to the femaleReform rabbi as ‘rabbanit’. Iwas taken aback and thought,

‘Hey wait a minute, I’m the rabbanit – the Orthodox rabbi’swife’. Ever since, in an effort to set things straight, I now callmyself Rabbanit (don’t worry, I won’t correct you if you callme Rebbetzin or even Batya for that matter).

A few months ago another title caught my attention, thistime in the Jewish Journal of LA, “Orthodox Shul TakesFirst Step to Hiring Female Clergy” (Sept 11, 2014). Onceagain, I felt I had to set the record straight, this time not onlyin Edmonton, but everywhere. The article is about how anOrthodox synagogue in LA hired a Maharat. A new so-called“Open Orthodox” institution “ordains” women as clergy,referring to them as “MAHARAT”, an acronym that standsfor manhiga hilchatit ruchanit toranit, which means afemale teacher, legal scholar and spiritual leader. There arecurrently two Maharats in Canada, both at ShaarHashomayim in Montreal.

My own professional body where I have attended manyconferences, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), issueda clear statement in 2013, stating “we cannot accept eitherthe ordination of women or the recognition of women asmembers of the Orthodox rabbinate, regardless of the title.”Now which category do rebbetzins fall under? Are we notpart of the Orthodox rabbinate? Let’s be honest. The RCAcertainly recognizes the role of rebbetzins. We are all invitedto attend the RCA annual conventions and there are evenseparate rebbetzins’ sessions. So how could they issue sucha statement? The Orthodox rabbinate entails a partnershipof rabbi and rebbetzin. There is no successful Orthodox shultoday that will hire a single rabbi, i.e. a rabbi without arebbetzin. There is an unwritten two-for-one deal; indeed,some shuls even go as far as to place expectations on the

rebbetzin in the jobdescription, all the whilestating that they are justhiring a rabbi! So whenB’nai-David Judea in LA

made news because they were hiring a female clergymember, what do they think happened to the role of therebbetzin? In their mind, are we meaningless? Or worse yet,are we being swept under the rug? Or maybe I have it allwrong; maybe they have expectations of her husband?(What do we call him – Mahar?)

The problem, sadly, is that many confuse gender equalitywith gender homogeneity. Liberal feminists want women todo everything exactly like the men. And they are hell-benton pushing their agenda onto traditional Jewish life. If themen can be rabbis so can the women. But just trying to beone of the guys is not true feminism and is a futile andridiculous exercise, says Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook:‘We need our own toilets!’ In Lean In, she writes, “All of us –men and women alike – have to understand andacknowledge how stereotypes and biases cloud our beliefsand perpetuate the status quo. Instead of ignoring ourdifferences, we need to accept and transcend them.”

We need to accept the different roles men and women playin every aspect of our lives – in the workplace, in the home,in the shul, and yes even in the rabbinate. The way toachieve equality is by recognizing that every individual isdifferent. And traditional Judaism has always recognizedthe different roles that men and women play. Females andmales are different and have different needs and roles in life.

The rabbinate has always required the dual spiritualleadership of a rabbi and a rebbetzin. So when SaraHurwitz declares, “Having a woman in partnership withmen is becoming a necessary part of Jewish communal life,”I say to her: Of course it is necessary and that’s why it hasalways existed! We already have a “female leader of Jewishlaw, spirit and Torah” – she is not called maharat, she iscalled rebbetzin, or in my case, rabbanit. And just like notwo people or leaders are the same, every rebbetzin plays adifferent role that represents her character type as well asher respective husband’s. Recognizing and embracing thedifferent roles men and women have in the clergy will onlycontribute to the congregation’s spiritual growth.

Just to be clear, I am not trying to minimize the years oflearning and training these wonderful women have investedin their incredible zeal to dedicate their lives to Klal Yisrael.But what maharats need to recognize is that while theremight be a place for them in the Orthodox rabbinate, it isdefinitely not a new place. In your attempt to assert your

position, please do not squash or sideline today’s rebbetzins,or the hardworking, volunteer rebbetzins of yesteryear.This new movement unfortunately fails to recognize all thewomen who have given their hearts and souls to OrthodoxJewish congregations, while having children, careers, andgiving up their nights and weekends for communal life, longbefore these marahats were born! I come from a long line offemale Orthodox clergy, who served in Lithuania; actually itgoes all the way back to the original “Rabba Sara” – ourmatriarch who, our Sages tell us, converted the women tomonotheism, while Avraham converted the men.

Baruch Hashem, there is a glimmer of hope as attitudesappear to be changing. I want to thank Yeshiva University’sCenter for the Jewish Future’s (CJF) recognition of our rolein the Orthodox rabbinate, hosting an annual rebbetzins’conference. Secondly, on behalf of all rebbetzins, I want totake this opportunity to wish a hearty mazaltov to RebbetzinElana Stein-Hain and say yasher koach to Yair Rosenbergfor acknowledging her contributions to Jewish life in his listof 15 American Rabbis You Haven’t Heard Of, But Should.It was a real breath of fresh air to see that all our hard workwas not in vain. We rebbetzins are honored to serve in theOrthodox rabbinate and proud to dedicate our lives to KlalYisrael.

Batya Ivry-Friedman

Should We Invite Maharats to theRebbetzin’s Conference?

Join the fun. Shabbabies runs every Fri. from 11-11:30 a.m. at Talmud Torah.

Fun for Everyone

By Shannon Sarna. JTA

There’s nothing quite like that first night of Hanukkah: aplatter full of hot, crispy latkes and the accompanyingapplesauce and sour cream. It’s classic, delicious and abeloved comfort food for so many American Jews.

But by the third or fourth night, I need a change of pacefor my latkes. Or to be more specific, I crave some othertoppings.

While I love dipping my latkes into a healthy serving ofrich sour cream, I also relish serving meat with latkes,specifically pulled brisket. You can use any beloved recipe ofchoice. After the brisket has finished cooking and cooled,shred it with two forks.

Throw a "top your own" latkes party and make an arrayof creative toppings -- like the brisket or spicy cranberryapplesauce recipes offered below -- or tell your guests tobring their favorites. It’s fun to see how creative people canget.

Some other potential latke toppings: grilled pastrami andmustard, sauerkraut, salsa, pickled jalapenos, beef chili andcaramelized onions. The sky's the limit.

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES Ingredients:12 medium-large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into

large chunks4 small onions, or 1 medium-large

onion, cut into large chunks4 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole3/4 to 1 cup flour4 eggs, lightly beaten1 1/2 tablespoons salt1/2 tablespoon pepperVegetable oil for fryingPreparation:Using the shredding attachment of a food processor or a

hand grater, coarsely great potatoes, onions and garlic. Placein a large bowl.

Add flour, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly untilcompletely combined. Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes. Drain

excess liquid.Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Using your hands, make a small latke patty and squeeze outexcess liquid again. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, untilgolden brown. Remove from pan and place on wire coolingrack placed on a baking sheet, which you can place in awarm oven until ready to serve. Makes 4 dozen latkes.

PULLED BRISKETThis pulled brisket also makes for an amazing sandwich

on a challah roll. You can cut the proportions in half, too. Ingredients:2- to 3-pound brisket 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon dried parsley 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 can beer 1 can ginger ale 1 bottle red wine 4 ounces tomato paste 4 medium carrots, cut into medium size pieces 2 onions, cut into quarters Preparation:In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion

powder and parsley. Spread dry rub on both sides of brisketevenly. Preheat the oven to 300F degrees.

Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot on mediumhigh heat. Sear the brisket on both sides "until the smokedetector goes off." Remove meat and set aside.

Using the remaining oil and "good bits" on the bottom ofthe pan, sauté carrots and onions, scraping the bottom untilthe veggies are soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomatopaste and stir until thoroughly mixed.

Put the brisket back in the pan, and cover with the bottleof red wine, beer and ginger ale. Place the entire pot withbrisket into the oven, and cook for at least 3 to 4 hours, untilmeat is completely tender.

When the meat is fork tender, remove the meat and setaside on a large cutting board.

Let the sludge rise to the top of the pot liquid and skim itoff. Strain out the carrots and onions and using a foodprocessor, blend them with 1-2 cups of the cooking liquid,then return the blended mixture to the rest of the liquid andsimmer to reduce slightly.

On the cutting board using two forks, carefully shred thebrisket into small strands. Add 1 to 2 cups of the pureed

cooking liquid to the pulled brisket for additional moistureand flavor.

Serve in a large bowl and allow guests to top latkes, orspoon small amounts of brisket on each latke for a moreelegant presentation.

SPICY CRANBERRY APPLESAUCELike it really spicy? Add more chilies or 1 tablespoon of

Sriracha hot sauce for more heat. Ingredients:6 apples, peeled and diced12 ounces fresh cranberries1 cup water2 tablespoons orange juice2 tablespoons orange zest1/3 cup sugar2-3 small dried chiliesPreparation:Combine all ingredients in a saucepan on medium-high

heat. Bring to a low boil and cook for 3-4 minutes, untilcranberries have softened and released juices. Reduce heatto low and simmer for 15-20 minutes covered. Allow to coolslightly.

Place applesauce in a food processor fitted with bladeattachment. Process until desired consistency. Serve chilled.Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

Shannon Sarna is editor of The Nosher blogon MyJewishLearning.com.


Top your own' partygives latkes a lift

Recipes

Best wishes toall our readersand advertisersfor a happy

Chanukah. Thankyou for

welcoming usinto your homeseach month!

From the staff atEdmontonJewish News


Talmud Torah Society thanks the EdmontonJewish Community and the Edmonton JewishNews for supporting this Holiday Greeting

fundraising project. The proceeds will be used tosubsidize special events for the older students.

Happy Chanukah!From

Leor, Melissa and Zoe Benjamin

HappyChanukah!

FromAlan, Alyssa, Eli and Mikayla Arnstein

Happy Chanukah!From your 2014 Edmonton Jewish Hockey

League Champions: The HeAtBaGs

Happy Chanukah!from

Jean and Aaron Oshry

HappyChanukah!From

the Galante family

Best wishes to our friends andfamily for a happy Chanukah,

from Sandy and Moe Litman

Best wishes to our friendsand family for a happy

Chanukah,from Ron and Naomi Wolch


from the Katzeff family

Best wishes to my friends and

family for a happy Chanukah,

from

Isabel Rodnunsky


from

the Buck family

Best wishes to our friends and family fora happy Chanukah,

from Jacqui, Mettannah and Sasha Jacobson


from Frida, Greg and Misha Pesin

Best wishes to my friends andfamily for a happy Chanukah,

from Esta Karpulis

Best wishes to our friends and familyfor a happy Chanukah,

from Yefimas and Roza Karpulis

Best wishes to our friends and family for ahappy Chanukah,

from

Joy-Ruth and Ed Mickelson

Best wishes to our friendsand family for a happy

Chanukah,from Freya and Lewis Wasel

Best wishes to my friends and familyfor a happy Chanukah,

from Dan, Mona, Zale, Aron and Caleb Rosenberg


from Robert, Krista, Daniel

and Aliya Brick

Wishing the Jewish community ahappy and healthy Chanukah

FromFarrel and Cara Greenspan


From

the Lieberman family


from Cantor David Mannes and Sandra Ghitter-Mannes

Wishing the Jewish community a happy and healthy Chanukah

from Clive, Heidi, Max and Sam Oshry

From the Bushewsky family

From

Howard & DebbieAnson and family

From Paul Polushin

From Tslila, Gershon and Yuval Barzel

From the

Broitman family

Chag Sameach from David Eisenstat,

Janice Richman-Eisenstat, Davina and Jacob

Happy Chanukah to the entire Jewishcommunity from

Valda Levin

Fromthe Wine family

FromShelley Weinstein

and Bruce Bradley

Happy Chanukah!From

Leah and Dylan Muscat

Happy Chanukah!From Fred, Libby,

Josh and Jacob Katz

Best wishes to our friends and

family for a happy Chanukah,

from

Sue and Alvin Winestock


from Roberta and Norm Hanson


from the Brown family

From the Soifer

family From Jonathan, Zac and Gabriella Tankel


Happy Chanukah to ourbeloved community, love

Hannah and Jared Paull


From Erica and Jeff Winterstein


From

Clive and Luba Allen


From Shane and Rebecca Asbell and family


From Maya and Hillel Goldberg


From Stacey, Erin, Jordyn, Abby and Zoe Wright


From Gary, Marina and Matthew Marcus


From

the Drelich family


From Jodi, Michael and Rebecca

Zabludowski


From Jane, Hersh, Corey and Derek Sobel


From Reisa, Josh and Shayna Segal


From Gabe, Sonia, Ian and Quinn Goldbergand Dr. Karen Matejka


From Irving & Diane Marcovitch andfamily

Happy Chanukah!From Chloe & Felix

Soibelman and family

Happy Chanukah!From

Jerry and Miriam Cooper


From Leon Miller and family

From Ari Sniderman

and Faren Hochman

On November 6, three grade nine students fromNellie McLung School attended the No Stone LeftAlone ceremony at the Jewish cemetery inEdmonton to honour the Jewish servicemen andwomen who lost their lives serving theircountry. The students - Shoshana Bernstein, ShiraGabriel and Sophia Cairns - joined the TalmudTorah junior high class in commemorating thisevent. The rest of the Nellie McClung studentsattended a ceremony at Beachmount cemetery.

No Stone Left Alone


by Mark Mietkiewicz, Canadian Jewish News

Chanukah humour? Is this some kind of joke?Actually, yes. Chanukah may certainly be a very

enjoyable holiday, but we don’t usually associate it withhumour. Purim, of course. But Chanukah? Well, if you lookhard enough, you can find a lot that’s funny about theFestival of Lights. Here are a few ways to brighten somelong, dark nights.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: “A woman went to thePost Office to buy stamps for her Chanukah cards. ‘Whatdenomination?’ asked the clerk. ‘Oh, good heavens! Have wecome to this?’ replied the woman. ‘Well, give me 50Conservative, 2 Orthodox, 37 Reform and 11Reconstructionist.’”

I nearly choked on my chocolate dreidel when I cameacross “Latke vs. Hamantash: A Materialist-FeministAnalysis,” penned by the obviously erudite Robin Leidner ofthe University of Pennsylvania’s sociology department. Shetries to settle once and for all, the age-old question: whichfood is more liberating for women – latkes or hamantashen.Let’s just say that things don’t come out too well for ourfavourite pancake.

“After peeling, grating, frying batch after batch inspitting oil, the cook is exhausted and sweaty, her hairhangs in greasy clumps, her knuckles are scraped raw, herarms sting from the continual splatters of oil. When at lasta heaping plate of latkes is ready, she brings it to the table,where every one is snatched up immediately. Stoically, sheheads back to the stove to begin frying the next batch.”

Leidner concludes that “for women, it is clear thathamantashen offer far more scope for self-realization,egalitarian relations and social progress than do latkes.”

Actually the Latke-Hamantash rivalry has a storiedhistory dating back to 1946 (not quite as far as the foods, butstill pretty impressive). Over the years, some impressiveacademics have invested a great deal of time in their foodfights.

In a 2007 debate at Harvard Hillel, criminal lawyer AlanDershowitz accused the latke of increasing the UnitedStates’ dependence on oil. Retorted psychology professorSteven Pinker, “The poppy industry supports drugs,terrorism, inner-city crime and civil war in Latin America.”

He called on latke lovers to sign his petition calling onHarvard and MIT to divest from companies that buy or sellpoppy seed hamantashen.

Because of the proximity to Passover of the 2012 debateat St. Mary’s College of Maryland, physics professor JoshuaGrossman suggested a third contender: matzah. Thoughwith some further consideration (matzah is flat, dry,crumbly, and tastes somewhat like “burnt glue”), he decidedto drop it from the mix.

And in a “Can’t we all just get along?” moment, Universityof Chicago president Hanna Gray stated in 1991 that “boththe latke and the hamantash are simply wonderful. Wewelcome them to our diverse, pluralistic and tolerantcommunity of scholars.” (She then shattered her veil ofindependence by declaring herself a card-carrying latkesupporter!)

It just wouldn’t be Chanukah without Adam Sandler’s

modern classic The Hanukkah Song in which he reminds theworld about prominent Jews in movies, music and sports. Inthe process, he finds some interesting rhymes for theholiday: “Put on that yarmulka/ It’s time for Hanukkah;Two-time Oscar winning Dustin Hoffmanaka/ CelebratesHanukkah.”

Although Sandler has updated his oeuvre, some of thereferences are feeling a tad old (O.J. Simpson!). So a semi-anonymous scribe named Davshalom penned a new versionthat includes: “Queen Amidala’s/ Not Jewish for sure/ ButNatalie Portman/ Sings Maoz Tzur.”

Let’s leave with a vintage Dry Bones from 2000: “TheHanukkah miracle is that our little lights of freedom stillshine … in spite of all the nations through the ages whichtried in vain… to blow them out!”

Chappy Chanukah!Reprinted from Canadian Jewish News

Chanukah Chumour

Fifty-four cyclists from Toronto, Vancouver, New Jersey and New York City participated in Beit HalochemCanada, Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel’s annual Courage in Motion bike ride in Israel recently. Theorganization is devoted to helping the more than 50,000 Israeli disabled veterans and victims rehabilitate.For 5 days, the group cycled from Jerusalem to Eilat, raising much needed funds to support the ongoingcycling programs and purchase much-needed equipment for the state of the art rehabilitative sports andcultural centres in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Nahariya and Beer Sheva. Over 50 members of the Israelicentres joined them. They rode hand bikes and tandems, and inspired everyone with their strength,determination, and positive outlook.

Courage in Motion 2014


By Nina Badzin

MINNEAPOLIS (Kveller.com) -- The Hanukkah I see inchildren’s books demonstrates families playing dreidel andeating latkes while the menorah shines brilliantly in thewindow. Then there’s the inevitable illustration of the kids’utter elation when the parents unveil a bag of gelt nightafter night.

The scene sounds delightful, but I can’t imagine it’srealistic in all Jewish homes. Let’s be honest: Starting inOctober, lots of Jewish kids obsess over the “holiday” (akaChristmas) catalogs that arrive daily in mailboxes across thecountry.

Right or wrong, at some point this tradition of eightnights of gifts as influenced by Christmas has become part ofthe Hanukkah many of us know and love.

And yes, yes, yes, I know that letting Hanukkah resembleChristmas undermines the main message of Hanukkah. Idon’t need the lecture. My kids go to Chabad every Shabbatmorning. They love Shabbat dinners, decorating the sukkahand attending ice cream parties for Shavuot. They evenknow thatHanukkah celebrates the war story of theMaccabees‘ unlikely defeat of the Greeks (and not just the oillasting for eight days).

Nobody would accuse my husband and me of neglecting topass on a healthy dose of serious Jewish tradition to ourchildren.

Nevertheless, instead of completely trying to fight thisChristmas imitation during Hanukkah, I’ve come to embraceit by adding my own practical and reasonable twist to thenightly celebrations. I mean, just because I let my kids opengifts during every night of Hanukkah, it doesn’t mean thatthe toy section of Target needs to take up temporaryresidence in my living room.

Trust me, you can do eight nights of gifts without creatingspoiled brats, even if it seems like on a couple of the nightsthe only thing missing is the eggnog and the tree.

Here are some ideas for a festive but practical Hanukkah:First night: Games and puzzlesUse the holiday as a time to take stock of the games and

puzzles it’s time to retire due to the kids’ increased skill level

or their propensity tomisplace essential pieces.

Second night: BooksGive the kids all those

books you were guilted intobuying at the school’sScholastic book fair. (This isalso the perfect opportunityto sign up for PJ Library toget a free Jewish book in themail every month.

Third night: Clothes youwould have bought anyway

Think pajamas or funsocks and tights. Anotheridea is hats and gloves thatthey already lost in earlyNovember. (I live in Minnesota.)

Fourth night: Family party!If at any point during Hanukkah we’re having a party

with members of our extended family, I do not give the kidsanything from us. They seem to get their toy fix on thisnight.

Fifth night: ReplenishConstruction paper running low? Markers are dry? It’s

the perfect time to restock the art supplies.Sixth night: Gifts from out-of-town familyHopefully you have some grandparents or aunts and

uncles that live out of townand like to send a gift to thekids.

Seventh night: Creativepracticality

My kids are packrats.This year I’m trying to teachthem the art of keeping onlytheir favorite projects andother junk -- I meanmemories -- which is whyeach of the kids will receivea plastic box with theirname and the word

“memories” on the cover.Eighth night: Giving backAt the end of Hanukkah we discuss where we want to

donate money and time as a family in the upcoming fiscalyear. It’s also a great night for siblings to exchange presentsand to give something to Mom and Dad (maybe using the artsupplies they got earlier in the week).

Nina Badzin is a columnist for The HerStories Project andfor Tcjewfolk.com. She tweets at @NinaBadzin and blogsregularly at http:/ / ninabadzin.com. Visit Kveller.com formore articles about Jewish parenting.

How to do 8 nights of Hanukkahwithout creating spoiled brats

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TT Kindergarten students enjoy library time with their Grade 6 buddies.

Reading with a Buddy


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Edmonton Jewish News Digital Edition - December 2014

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