December 2, 2018 - Mystery, Wonder, and Chanukah

Theme: We introduced December's worship theme of Mystery/Wonder and learned the ASL sign for Mystery and for Wonder (Awe).   We mentioned that many of the December holidays have some Mystery and Wonder in them.   

Story: We read the book Eight Hanukkah Lights.  The children noticed each page is a different family with a different menorah.  We talked about how Jewish families may have slightly different ways they celebrate.  Some children knew a little about Hanukkah already, for some it was very new.   

Activity/Choice time:

• A traditional game associated with Hanukkah is the dreidel game.  Many kids were eager to play with pennies that Danner brought in.     
• Many kids made collage menorahs while I summarized the picture book The Christmas Menorahs, based on this true story from Billings, MT.  
• We all signed one collage menorah that read, "Happy Hannukah!  Love from your friends at the Unitarian Church."  I will bring this to Beth Jacob Synagogue this week.      

Above: The dreidel game was exciting.  

It was moving

how readily kids shared their gem pieces when other players were running out.

Above: Playing dreidel with pennies!

Want to continue the conversation?  

1.  I think the kids will be excited to share their new knowledge.  You could ask them:

• What is the sign-language for Mystery?  For Wonder?
• When does Hanukkah start?  (This year it starts tonight--Dec. 2nd.)
• How many nights does it last? (Eight nights, to remember the eight days the oil in the temple lasted, all those years ago.)
• What is the Menorah?  (The sacred candle holder used during Hanukkah. Menorahs come in many shapes and sizes.). 
• Why are there 9 candles if it only lasts eight nights?  (The 'shamash' candle is lit each night, and used to light the other eight.)  

2. Consider attending a local event:  

• At 5pm on Monday, on the Statehouse lawn, there will be a lighting of the Statehouse Menorah.  
• Our friends and neighbors at Beth Jacob Synagogue encourage anyone in the community to join them for a Hanukkah Party next Sunday, the last day of Hanukkah.  From noon-2pm. (see invite below) 

3. Here is a video, "What is Hanukkah" if you want to watch as a family.  It is pretty fast-paced but fun, and probably upper elementary age kids will get more out of it than younger ones.  I enjoy the closing question.