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Celebrate Hanukkah

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B jtnews n friday, december 11, 20092celebrate hanukkah

Melody Amsel-ArieliSpecial to JTNews

One cold, drizzly Hanukkah morning, our bus slowly wound its way toward the far-thest reaches of Jeru-salem. As it emptied out, a couple of elderly women drew together, for both warmth and warm conversat ion. After dwelling on their children and grand-chi ldren, t heir ta lk touched on Hanuk-kah goodies. When I caught the word “sfinj,” my ears perked up. I moved in closer to hear.

Sfinj (which rhymes with fringe), are the North African Jews’ answer to Ash-kenazi potato latkes and Israeli jelly doughnuts. Like these two treats that commemorate Hanukkah’s miracle, sfinj are fried in oil. Like jelly doughnuts, sfinj are leavened. But here all resemblance ends. Whether coaxed into plump pil-lows or crowned with rings of decorative holes, sfinj never contain jelly. Moreover, whipped up flour, yeast, a bit of sugar, and a splash of water, sfinj are far less sweet and far lighter than most other tradi-tional Hanukkah treats.

Although all sfinj are as light as air, sfinj recipes vary widely.

“I f r y my sf inj in extra-hot oi l,” announced one bus passenger, “to keep them extra light.”

“Try making them with soda water instead,” observed her neighbor dryly, “and they’ll be even lighter.”

At this, a bevy of women sitting across the way joined the fray.

“In Algeria, we made ours with milk,” said one.

“We Tunisians add orange juice,” replied another.

As each woman revealed her sfinj secrets, feelings ran high. Despite the

cold, the conversat ion turned hot and heavy.

T he word sf i nj, so strange to Western ears, is evidently Mugrabi, the Judeo-Arabic dialect still spoken among Moroccan Jews. Although its mean-ing, as well as its culinary origins, has been lost over t ime, these doughnuts remain popular eating. Who eats sfinj? Anyone blessed to light Hanukkah candles alongside North African family members, friends, or co-workers.

Jaqueline Alon, born in Casablanca, Morocco,

learned the fine art of pastry making at her mother’s k nee. Although she has spent most of her life in Israel, she still devotes long hours creating tradi-tional Moroccan sweets. Her family and friends enjoy an ever-changing assort-ment of homemade almond macaroons, elaborate piped pastries, nut-covered crescents, honeyed whorls, miniature marzipan morsels, along with anise, cin-namon, and date delights.

“In Jewish-Moroccan homes, every-thing revolves around food,” she told me. “Everything. And sfinj are everyone’s

The hands-down favoriteIsraelis from different North African countries argue about their preferred sfinj techniques

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LOS ANGELES (JTA) — What lights the Festival of Lights? What really ignites the eight days, turning them into a hot winter glow?

Is it the oil, the candles, the songs, the latkes, the gifts?

What would you give for an answer?It’s dark and I am walking to Canter’s,

a famous Los Angeles delicatessen, to buy a half-dozen bagels. I see by the blue and white cookies in their bakery window that it’s Hanukkah.

Near the entrance, seated on a crate, is a guy who appears to be homeless. Is this his home?

As I pass he holds out a paper cup and shakes it. Coins jingle.

“Any spare change?” he asks.It’s an exchange that happens daily

in big cities and small, at the Mobil sta-tion, outside the Piggly Wiggly, in the mall parking lot, outside the restaurant. No matter where or how high up you live, it happens. It’s happened to me in Bev-erly Hills.

The question is always same: “Do you have any change?” Yet our responses vary.

At Hanukkah time or anytime — on the street, at your door, in the mail or online — there are many ways you can respond to requests for tzedakah.

Maimonides, the inf luential 12th-century Jewish philosopher, wrote that there are “eight degrees of tzedakah, each higher than the next.” That is, eight dis-tinct, clarifying ways you can respond to human need. The degrees are like steps progressively rising; kind of an early stairway to heaven.

Proverbs tell us that a “mitzvah is a lamp.” On Hanukkah we can light up the nights with giving. Consider each step of the tzedakah stairway a candle that is lit each night; each light is an act of giving tzedakah, of doing justice in the world.

The lowest level is giving like a Grinch, too little and with a cheapster attitude, as when a panhandler is in your face and you feel put out.

“Do I look like a sucker?” you wonder. “Isn’t there an agency for this?” you think. So you flip him a dime.

The countering Jewish idea in play here is from Devarim (Deuteronomy): “Give to him readily,” it says, “and have no regrets.”

Lighting up the Festival of LightsAt Hanukkah, lighting up the tzedakah stairway

The second step is the sunny side of the first — still giving too little, but with a smile. Like when a condolence card comes around at work and you pull a five out of your wallet when it’s full of 20s. Devarim also tells us when considering the needy, “do not harden your heart and shut your hand.”

How much is too little? Hey, this isn’t a seasonal piece on tipping. This is about doing justice. Do you need an accountant to paint you a picture?

The third step is giving as much as is needed, but waiting until someone asks.

A tough standard, as most of us don’t give until we are approached. The idea here is to cut down on the humiliation for the asker.

Today, when institutions do much of the asking, the concept updates to what if Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters has to ask X number of times in letters or e-mail before we respond? Each letter costs, ulti-mately diminishing your contribution.

The fourth step flips the third: Giving as much as is needed before being asked. Think about it. This puts the giver on the lookout for tzedakah opportunities. It gets you twittering with finds and on the street, taking note of Jewish social service storefronts. People put their entire ener-gies into looking for investments, why not tzedakah? Isn’t breaking the poverty cycle the best investment?

The fifth step includes the previ-ous elements and adds one more; giving tzedakah when you don’t know the recip-ient but the recipient knows you. It’s like having your tzedekah labeled “This gift brought to you by...”

This uneven equation allows for cor-porate boasting about its contribu-tions: Remember those ads that ran after Katrina? Still, it’s tzedakah.

Sixth step: The recipient is known to the giver, the giver is unknown to the recipient.

Talk about randomness. Imagine leav-ing a box of groceries at some unknown yet needful person’s doorstep. Food banks illustrate this concept. As a giver, you know the items are going to someone in need, but they never know you.

No. 7: Anonymous giving and receiv-ing. Anonymity is a tough sell today; we are trained from birth to put our names on everything. Historically, in the Temple in Jerusalem there was a darkened room,

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Emily MooreJTNews Columnist

What’s the best thing about Hanuk-kah? In my house growing up it was always the cookies: Sugar cookies rolled out and cut with menorah and stars of David, iced with blue and white pow-dered-sugar icing, A grand mess and wonderfully fun.

But what about some new traditions in Hanukkah treats? Over the years as a chef, I have collected great recipes for easy and absolutely delicious sweets. This year, I’d like to share with you one of my favorites for Hanukkah. It takes an hour

or two, is surprisingly easy and uses fresh fruit, so it’s actually good for you.

It is the traditional strudel recipe, you know the one that you stretch and stretch until you can read a newspaper through the dough? I know you’re thinking, “Oy! My grandmother made that, or my great grandmother (or someone’s great grand-mother) and I could never do it myself!”

Well, I have done it with many com-pletely novice, non-cooking groups and not only is it very fun, it’s actually easy — and you get a beat-your-aggressions-out kneading session besides!

The only “unusual” ingredient you may not have on hand is a couple handfuls of bread crumbs; just throw last week’s chal-lah in the food processor and voila! Bread crumbs! You can fill the strudel with any fruit you have around, add nuts, cinna-mon, jam, roll it up, cut in half and bake! This is a great project to do with kids because it’s fascinating, uses hands and

bodies and is somewhat messy! Have fun!

Strudel for Hanukkah

For the dough:2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 egg, slightly beaten1 Tbs. vegetable oil2/3 cup warm waterFor the filling:4 to 5 cups peeled apples, pears, persim-

mons, grapes 3/4 cup jam2 tsp. ground cinnamonSugar to taste1 cup chopped toasted nuts (optional)1/2 cup flourFor stretching and rolling:An old tablecloth stretched over a dining room

or kitchen table (at least 4’x4’)Flour to sprinkle on the cloth (about 1/2 cup)1 cup bread crumbs, dry or fresh3/4 cup oil, melted butter or margarine

1 egg, beaten, to brush on topSugar to sprinkle on top (about 1/2 cup)First, make the dough. Sift the flour into a

medium-sized mixing bowl, or put the sifted flour into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the egg, oil and warm water and mix together until the dough holds together. If it’s sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Now the fun workout part begins! Take the dough out of the bowl and throw it hard down on the counter or table. If it sticks, put a little flour down.

Repeat this about 300 times. That’s right! You get a great workout with your kids, the neighbor kids and friends while you knead the dough by throwing it hard (you should hear it sap/thump each time) down onto the counter. (This is a great family or family/friends event — doing it yourself, especially the stretching, is almost not possible and half as much fun.) When the throwing/kneading is done, put the dough back into the bowl, cover it with a towel and let it rest for 1/2 hour to an hour while you make the filling.

Peel and core the hard fruits (persimmon, too) and mix with the remaining ingredients except the jam. Let sit while you stretch the dough.

On the tablecloth that covers your table, roll the

The best part of HanukkahSpending time with family includes making a fun (and easy) strudel

Chanukah Greetings

to the community!

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Hanukkah Greetings

from the staff ofJTNews

B5friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewsemily’s corner

Thursday, December 17 6:30 – 9:00pm

Dinner 6:30 – 7:30pm

Talent Show 7:30 – 8:30pm

• Music by the Klez Katz and Seattle Jewish Chorale• Community Candle Lighting

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Members: $5/person • Non-members: $10/person • Free to kids 3 and under Pre-register and pre-pay by e-mailing marjiecogan@bethshalomseattle.org

or calling 206-524-0075

This year’s Hanukkah Party and Dinner are made possible in part by a generous donation from David Baumgarten

in memory of Ann Baumgarten z”l

Congregation Beth Shalom

6800 35th Ave NE, Seattle 98115 • 206-524-0075 • www.bethshalomseattle.org

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dough out as far as you can in a circle or square or rectangle. When it is about 15 to 18 inches round (or long) gather everyone around the table. All at once, (or about) everyone picks up the dough with their hands knuckles up (Very important!). Begin very gently stretching the dough by moving your knuckles out and in and moving the dough in a circle around the table (be sure you all decide which direction you will be stretching, right or left, before you start!). You will see thin spots develop as you stretch: pass by them with your knuckles to avoid tearing. If a tear develops, put the dough down and pinch it together; don’t worry about it too much because you will be rolling the dough up and each tear will get covered.

When the dough is about 4 or 5 feet long, and about 4 feet wide, put it down on the table and brush it gently all over with the oil or melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle the entire thing with the bread crumbs, then put the filling over two-thirds of the dough, leaving the remaining third uncovered. Dot the filling with the jam.

Starting at the side that is covered with filling, pull out one 2-inch length of dough the whole length of the strudel and put it on top of the filling, all the way down. Now the fun part: Pick up the tablecloth on that side and lift it gently along the length of the strudel to make the strudel roll up, over and over on itself, enclosing the filling, As you continue to gently lift the cloth and nudge the roll over and over, the strudel rolls up till all the filling is enclosed and you have a long, long roll of strudel sitting

on the cloth!Brush the entire thing with well-beaten egg, sprinkle with sugar and cut with a serrated knife into three equal lengths. Place them next to each other on one or two greased cookie sheets and bake at 350º for 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the oven. When the fruit is bubbling and the strudel is golden to mahogany brown, your strudel is done!Let it cool till it’s just warm and serve with vanilla ice cream. You can freeze any of the logs before baking and put them in a 325º oven to bake directly from the freezer so you can have them any time during the Hanukkah season.

And have a very, very happy Hanukkah!

Emily Moore is a local chef with 30 years experience in her field, including 13 years in local and regional restaurants. Her business, Emily’s Kitchen, provides culinary services to all facets of the food industry and catering to the Jewish community. She also currently teaches culinary arts at Edmonds Community College.

called “lishkat chasha’im,” literally a “chamber of secrets,” where the giver could leave money and the poor would receive it without shame.

A tzedakah box, or pushke, is a related idea. Pick up a box from your favorite Jewish charity, or make one yourself, and join the righteous ranks of the famous unknown.

The highest level, “exceeded by none,” Maimonides tells us, is self-sufficiency as a result of outright gifts, loans, partner-ships or “finding employment.” At a time when every dollar for the poor is debated, Maimonides reminds us to “strengthen” the poor.

In many cities, Jewish free loan soci-eties, Jewish vocational service agen-cies and international agencies such as ORT help move people toward self-suf-ficiency. Handicraft workshops for the needy elderly and disabled such as Yad LaKashish in Jerusalem beautifully keep this concept alive.

Festival t Page 3B

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B6 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

the jewish internet

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Mark MietkiewiczSpecial to JTNews

Hanukkah is here and that means so are a whole slew of traditional holi-day songs. For those of you who’d like to brush up on the classics while learning a few new ones that will have Bubbe doing a double take, I now present eight music sites for eight Hanukkah nights.

Night No. 1: Start with what must be the largest collection of free Hanukkah music on the web. IsraelNationalNews.com’s Jukebox has well over 10 hours of holiday tunes with everything from the familiar to the obscure. Go to bit.ly/chanuk13, click on Holiday Songs and scroll down for the Hanukkah songs (and Rosh Hashanah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Passover and others).

Night No. 2: The Jewish National & University Library in Jerusalem has put together a marvelous Web site which pre-serves the sounds and songs of Jewish com-

A rockin’ Hanukkah eveEight music sites for eight Hanukkah nights

munities from around the world. There are five versions for the menorah candle light-ing ceremony (Ashkenazi, Carlebach-style, Hungarian, Algerian and Sephardic) with other Hanukkah songs from Alge-ria, France, Turkey, Italy and the lovely “Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh” (Oh, you little can-dles) in Yiddish. (bit.ly/chanuk1) All files are available in mp3 format, which can be downloaded and played on an iPod.

Night No. 3: Tonight it’s time for some-thing different. Reggae Hanukkah mixes Caribbean rhythms, traditional Ghana-ian dance drumming, Middle Eastern instruments “to batteries of Brazilian and Latin percussion as samba meets mambo for some salsa on their latkes.” Although many of the songs are new, you’ll recog-nize familiar melodies peeking through the reggae “Maoz Tzur” and “Hanukkah, Skanukah.” You can preview excerpts from the entire album online. (bit.ly/chanuk3) and listen to three longer cuts here. (bit.ly/chanuk4)

Night No. 4: It wouldn’t be Hanukkah without Adam Sandler’s modern clas-sic “The Hanukkah Song,” in which he reminds the world about prominent Jews in movies, music and sports. In the pro-cess, he devises some interesting rhymes for the word Hanukkah: “Put on that yar-mulke / It’s time for Hanukkah / Two-time Oscar winner / Dustin Hoffmonica / Celebrates Hanukkah.” (bit.ly/chanuk6)Sandler’s written a couple of sequels with lyrics that aren’t always as gentle as “I Have a Little Dreidel.”

Night No. 5: One of the most famous pieces of music associated with the holi-day is G.F. Handel’s “Judas Maccabeus.” The oratorio celebrates the victories of the ancient Jewish loyalists against their pagan foes. Eliezer Segal examines how one of Handel’s themes, “See the Con-quering Hero Comes,” has been adopted by Jews as a Hanukkah melody. Accord-ing to Segal, the irony is that when Handel composed Judas Maccabeus, he was more

concerned that it become a “pageant of English patriotism rather than a source of Jewish national pride.” The tune will play as you enter the Web site. (bit.ly/chanuk7)

Night No. 6: A few years ago, the gifted wordsmith Tom Lehrer composed another seasonal favorite. “I’m spend-ing Hanukkah in Santa Monica / Wear-ing sandals, lighting candles by the sea.” Now someone has added amusing photos and posted a not-to-be-missed video on YouTube. (bit.ly/chanuk8) For an encore, enjoy a suave rendition by Brandeis Uni-versity’s Jewish a cappella group, Jewish Fella A Cappella. (bit.ly/chanuk9)

Night No. 7: They’re classics in Israel and they can be in your home, too. If you can read Hebrew, I think you’ll appreci-ate the Chagim Web site. You’ll find the lyrics to over 27 Hebrew Hanukkah songs including “Ner Li” (I have a flame), “Levi-vot” (Latkes) and “Nes Hanukkah” (Mira-cle of Hanukkah). (bit.ly/chanuk10)

Night No. 8: Everybody’s favorite little dreidel is, of course, made of clay. But if you want to have a new dreidel to sing about, look no further than the Hava Nashira Jewish Songleader’s Resource. (bit.ly/chanuk11) There are dozens of modern variations of the classic, includ-ing:

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of glueThe baby tried to spin it, And now she’s spinning too.I have a little dreidel, Made from a CD-ROM.It helped me launch a start-up Called DreidelSpin-dot-com!I had a little dreidel, I made it out of clay, Said a Kabbalistic blessing, And it got up and walked away

Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Web site producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be contacted at highway@rogers.com.

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B7friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewsgenerations

My favorite holidayCelebrating Hanukkah with a little poetry and a lot of family

Masada Siegel and Stefanie ZweigJTNews Columnists

Generations is an across-the-world e-mail conversation between 30-something writer Masada Siegel and 70-something author Stefanie Zweig.

From: Stefanie Zweig Sat., December 20, 2008 12:30 p.m. Subject: Happy Hanukkah

Dear Masada, A happy Hanukkah for you and the

family. On the first day we are treating ourselves to Cats. I have seen the musical in London and New York, but I love cats and I love T. S. Eliot’s verses. And I don’t mind the music, so what can happen? Do you give each other presents? We can never find an end and pretend that it is Christmas and light candles only one night. But, at least, we sing “Maos Zur.” My brother once wrote it for me in Latin letters, because I can’t read Hebrew. Have a good time, a great big Hanukkah hug from Stefanie

From: Masada Siegel Mon., December 22, 2008 5:38 p.m. Subject: Re: Happy Hanukkah

Hey Stefanie!Happy Hanukkah! My favorite holi-

day! There is a quote I saw at the museum in Jerusalem: “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle!” I lit a few can-

dles this week, celebrated my birthday with my parents and loads of friends and also with my students, one of them even got me a gift.

My sister Audrey and her husband Gabe and the kids are coming to visit. I can’t wait. It will be fun to celebrate Hanuk-kah with my niece Talya and nephew Alex, who is beyond mischievous!

So funny you saw Cats in London. I did too! I had friends who worked at the the-ater. For one of the shows I had an amaz-ing seat in the audience and once I sat in rafters above, not exactly legal or safe — but fun!

Gifts for Hanukkah? It all gets wrapped in with my birthday. Thankfully, we are not a stuff family. Mostly, I ask for ski trips or airline mileage points to go some-where. Wishing you a happy Hanukkah.

Keep smiling! Masada

From: Stefanie Zweig Wed., Dec 24, 2008 12:57 p.m. Subject: Re: Happy Hanukkah

Dear Masada, We had a most happy Hanukkah with

heaps of presents and the little boy (16 months) playing contentedly with all the ribbons and wrapping paper. Many happy returns for your birthday. How old are you? How old would you like to be? If there is a too large a gap I advise you to do something about it. For 2009, the year we hope to meet, I wish you the

best of the good. Only swim in water, not through life. And be suspicious of people who open their mouths too wide or have to climb mountains to built schools. You see, I am a very matter-of-fact lady. I reserve the nights for dreams and days for keeping alive and at work. I hold it with Kipling: if you can fill the minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, then yours is the world. If you want to look the whole poem up, its title is “IF.” And now, enough of science and of art. Close up those barren leaves. Come forth

and bring with you a heart that watches and receives (Wordsworth). Nothing in this letter is of importance except the first sentence. Much Happiness, Health and Wisdom wishes. Stefanie

From: Stefanie Zweig December 26, 2008 2:03 p.m.

Dear Masada, We had a good Christmas, yesterday

with Cats, which was loud, exciting, and beautiful and for me a meeting with my old friend T.S. Eliot. I must have come

with Alina Gerlovin Spauldinga dynamic, young Sovietémigré now living theAmerican dream.Her story is our story.

10:30am ~ 1pmRSVP www.JewishInSeattle.org/Connections

Connections Co-chairsLisa Katsman & Lois Fuhr

Join us at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Bellevue for the Jewish Federation’s annual women’s brunch and...

courtesy masada siegel

Masada with her nephew Alex on the ice.

B8 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

celebrate hanukkah

Happy HanukkaH! from our family to yours

Dave Mintz

Dan & Elaine Mintz Tessa & Jacob

Rob & patti Mintz Hailey & Ryan

Gina & paul Benezra Benjamin

Lucile Wasserman

Hanukkah Greetings! to our relatives and friends

Dean, Gwenn, Robert & Andrea

PolikJoshua & Sam

Happy Hanukkah from

Liz Gorman and Joel Paisner

Natalie and Noah Paisner

Rosenblatt Johnson Family

Jackie, Gary, Josh & Joseph

Joel Erlitz & Andrea Selig

Happy Hanukkah!

to all our friends & family

Scott, Karen & Matan Michelson

Hanukkah Greetings!

Frances roGers

Jimmy, Zoey & sabina roGers

Linda & micHaeL morGan

Todd morGan & wendy Lawrence & oLiver

meLissa, marTy, arieLLa & sasHa neLson

Jennifer, Joel, ben & oscar Magalnick

Hanukkah Greetings!

Laurie BoguchSharon BoguchJanet Boguch

Kelby Fletcher & KalenLinda & David Stahl

& Family

A Great Miracle Happened There

Hanukkah Greetings!

Warmest wishes to everyone

Nate & Judy Ross

Bobbi & Alexis Chamberlin

Donald & Max Shifrin

Neil Ross

Hanukkah Greetings to the Communityfrom

Richard & Tricia Jonah, David & Gabe

Fruchter

favorite, hands down.”Sfinj are not just reserved for the Fes-

tival of Lights either. Jaqueline prepares them year-round, for Brit Milah, B’nai Mitvzah, Moroccan pre-nuptial henna rituals, weddings, Mimouna festivities, even post-nuptial breakfasts — and any-time in between.

By the time I reached my destination, I too was inspired. With Jaqueline’s recipe in hand, by tonight, I’ll be enjoying sfinj by Hanukkah candlelight.

Jaqueline’s Sfinj

1-1/2 envelopes “fast action” dried yeast2 Tbs. sugar4-5 cups all-purpose flour1 Tbs. salt3–3-1/2 cups waterOil for frying

Granulated sugar, maple syrup, or honey (optional)

Combine yeast, sugar, and flour in a large bowl. Mix well. Gradually add just enough water to make a soft dough that is easily gathered into a ball. Knead the dough for about 15 minutes, stopping while it is still sticky to the touch. Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel or plastic wrap. Place in a warm place for one to two hours, until dough doubles in size. Punch down. With water-moistened hands, form walnut-sized balls of dough.

Alternately, punch a hole in the center of each with your finger. Fold each ring of dough outward, thus enlarging the holes and creating decorative “crowns.”

In a frying pan, heat oil to very high heat, then lower it slightly. Deep-fry the sfinj on both sides in small batches. When golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on absorbent paper. Serve immediately, either dusted with sugar, gilded with honey or maple syrup, or plain, as is.

Sfinj t Page 2B

across his verses when I was 10 — they were published in 1939 for the first time. No wonder I was unpopular at school. Being Jewish and well-read is nothing for children bred in Kenya who are strong in the arms, but weak in the head. Have a good time. Love, Stefanie

From: Masada Siegel Friday, December 26, 2008

Hey Stefanie!I’m still smiling about your last e-mail…

and your lovely wishes! It’s hectic here in a fun way. Audrey and the family arrived. I absolutely love them all so much! Today, my 8-year-old nephew Alex and I are going ice skating. I used to train four hours a day, so we are going to have a blast.

We all lit the Hanukkah candles as a family for the past two nights and sang. It was so beautiful, I wish I could bottle up the feeling, and every time I am sad,

I would just open it up and take some of the magic out!

Just like you see T.S. Eliot as your friend, people who read your work see you the same way — how cool is that? I’m glad you liked Cats and had fun in all the color and craziness. If Mama Mia comes to Germany, go see it. It’s fantastic, a real feel-good, fun show!

Life is funny. You found yourself unpopular at school because you were in a place with different values. Now you find yourself so popular that the world over reads your words, and strangers stand outside your door so they can talk to you! There is a lesson somewhere in there that I am sure will inspire people.

Keep enjoying yourself!Lots of love,Masadap.s. I am booking my flight to Germany

shortly..... :)

Generations t Page 7B

B9friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewscommunity calenDar

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sixteen

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The JTNews calendar presents a selection of ongoing events in the Jewish community. For a complete listing of events, or to add your event to the JTNews calendar, visit www.jtnews.net. Calendar events must be submitted no later than 10 days before publication.

Ongoing

FridAy9:30-10:30 a.m. – SJCC Tot Shabbat n

Dana Weiner at 206-232-7115, ext. 237Parents with children ages infant-3 celebrate Shabbat with challah, live music, singing, and dancing in the JCC’s foyer. Free. At the Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Tots Welcoming Shabbat n

425-603-9677 or www.templebnaitorah.orgThis Temple B’nai Torah program for kids ages infant-5 includes songs, stories, candle lighting, challah, and open play. Free. At Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue.

12:30-3:30 p.m. – Drop-in Mah Jongg n

Roni Antebi at 206-232-7115 ext. 269A friendly game of Mah Jongg. Free for members, $2 for guests. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

12:30-3:30 p.m. – Bridge Group n

Roni Antebi at 206-232-7115, ext. 269Prior bridge playing experience necessary. Coffee and tea provided. Bring a brown bag lunch. Free for members, $2 for non-members. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

SATurdAy9-10:30 a.m. – Temple B’nai Torah Adult Torah Study n

425-603-9677A discussion of each week’s parshah. No experience needed. At the Temple B’nai Torah youth room, 15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue.

9:45 a.m. – BCMH Youth Services n

Julie Greene at 206-721-0970 or julie@bcmhseattle.orgBikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath Congregation has something for all ages: Teen minyan, Yavneh program, Junior minyan, Torah Tots, Mommy and Me, and Navi class. Starting times vary. At Congregation Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath, 5145 S Morgan St., Seattle.

10 a.m. – Morning Youth Program n

206-722-5500 or www.ezrabessaroth.netCongregation Ezra Bessaroth’s full-service Shabbat morning youth program focuses on tefillah, the weekly parshah and the congregation’s unique customs in a creative and fun environment. For infant to 5th grade. At Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, 5217 S Brandon St., Seattle.

10:45 a.m.-12 p.m. – Herzl Mishpacha Minyan n

206-232-8555 or www.herzl-ner-tamid.orgA Shabbat morning service at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation that meets twice a month and features songs, stories and treats for 2- to 5-year-olds and their families. Meets first and third Shabbat of the month. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Con-servative Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

5 p.m. – The Ramchal’s n Derech Hashem, Portal from the Ari to ModernityRabbi Harry Zeitlin at 206-524-9740 or

hlzeitlin@comcast.netThis is the earliest systematic and reliable explanation of Kabbalah, which is grounded in tradition and comprehen-sible to contemporary, educated Jews. At Congregation Beth Ha’Ari Beit Midrash, 5508 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

6:30 p.m. – n Avot UbanimRabbi Yehuda Bresler at 206-722-8289 A class where children can learn alongside their parents. Refreshments and prizes at each session. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

SundAy9 a.m. – Shabbat in Practice n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org An ongoing course taught by Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus on the Abridged Book of Jewish Law, known as the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Free. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

9 a.m. – Advanced Talmud for Men n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org A chance for men to study the intricacies of a classic Talmudic text and examine the basic commentaries that bring forth its understandings. Taught by Rabbi Avrohom David. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

9 a.m. – Intermediate Halachah n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org Designed for students who want to learn comprehensive, in-depth, every day Halachah. Taught by Rabbi Yeshoshua Pinkus. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

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10 a.m. – Mitzvot: The Fabric of Jewish n

Living 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.orgAn ongoing course about the philosophical underpinnings and practical implications of the 613 mitzvot. Free. Part of the Seattle Kollel’s “Breakfast Club,” offering bagels, lox and cream cheese, Starbucks coffee and Krispy Kreme Donuts. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

10:15 a.m. – Sunday Torah Study n

Carol Benedick at 206-524-0075 Weekly study group. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

10:30 a.m. – Intermediate/Advanced n

Prayerbook HebrewAlysa Rosen at 206-525-0915, ext. 210 or alysa@templebetham.org This course focuses on developing a basic Hebrew vocabulary necessary for understand-ing the Siddur. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle.

1–4 p.m. – Shalom Bayit Warehouse n

Volunteer Work PartyRachel at 425-558-1894 or shalombayit@ncjwseattle.orgHelp organize donated items for survivors of domestic violence and their children. This event takes place every second or third Sunday. Call for exact dates and location.

7:15 p.m. – Beginners’ Talmud n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org This course will walk the novice through the basic learning skills to begin to learn Talmud. At Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7:30-10:30 p.m. – He’Ari Israeli Dancing n

Ellie at 206-232-3560 or tiaellie1@yahoo.com or israelidanceseattle.comSeattle’s oldest Israeli dance session. Couples and singles welcome. Call for schedule

changes. Cost is $6. At Danceland Ballroom, 327 NE 91st St., Seattle.

MOndAy10 a.m.–2 p.m. – JCC Seniors Group n

Roni 206-232-7115, ext. 269The Stroum JCC’s Seniors Group meets on Mondays and Thursdays for activities and celebrations. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

10 a.m. – Jewish Mommy and Me n

Giti Fredman at 206-935-4035 or info@seattlekollel.orgGiti Fredman leads a weekly playgroup for Jewish moms and young children. Sponsored by the Seattle Kollel. At the Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW, West Seattle.

4:30–6:30 p.m. – Modern Conversational n

HebrewSharron Lerner at 206-547-3914, ext. 3 or slerner@kadima.org or www.kadima.orgKadima Reconstructionist Community offers conversational Hebrew classes for students in the 3rd–7th grades. Open to non-members. At Kadima, 12353 8th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – CSA Monday Night Classes n

info@shevetachim.com Weekly class taught by Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld on topics in practical halachah. At Congregation Shevet Achim, 5017 90th Ave. SE, Mercer Island.

7-8 p.m. – Ein Yaakov in English n

Joseph N. Trachtman at 206-412-5985 or tracht@accommotrac.com Ein Yaakov has been studied since its publica-tion in 1516 by those desiring an introduction to the Talmud through its stories. Free. At Congregation Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch, 6250 43rd Ave. NE, Seattle.

7:30 p.m. – Torah Scroll Class for Men n

eastsidechabad@earthlink.netShemer Berkowitz, a professional Ba’al Koreh,

will teach students to become their own Torah readers by learning the cantillation marks and becoming familiar with the secret of Torah reading. At the Eastside Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, #303, Bellevue.

7:45-8:45 p.m. – For Women Only n

206-527-1411Rabbi Levitin offers classic commentaries on the weekly parshah, Rashi, Rambam and Or HaChaim. At Congregation Shaarei Tefilah, 6250 43rd Ave. NE, Seattle.

8-10 p.m. – Women’s Israeli Dance Class n

Ruth Fast at 206-725-0930Learn Israeli dance steps in an all-female environment. At the Lakewood/Seward Park Community Club, corner of 50th Ave. S and Angeline St., Seattle.

8:30 p.m. – n Iyun (in-depth) class in Tehilliminfo@seattlekollel.orgClass led by Rebbetzin Shirley Edelstone and sponsored by the Seattle Kollel. For women only. Free. Location provided upon RSVP.

8:30 p.m. – Talmud in Hebrew n

Rabbi Farkash at rabbifarkash@earthlink.netAn in-depth Talmud class in Hebrew for men taught by Rabbi Mordechai Farkash. At the Eastside Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, Suite 303, Bellevue.

8:30 p.m. – Talmud, Yeshiva-Style n

eastsidechabad@earthlink.netThis class tackles sections of ritual, civil and criminal law. Be prepared for lively discussion, debate and analysis. Students must be able to read Hebrew and should have had some experience with in-text Torah study. At the Eastside Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, #303, Bellevue.

TueSdAy9:45 a.m. – Bringing Baby Home n

Marjorie Schnyder at 206-861-3146 or familylife@jfsseattle.org

A hands-on, interactive parenting and relation-ships class, based on the findings of Drs. John and Julie Gottman and the Relationship Research Institute. $150. At Jewish Family Service, 1601 16th Ave., Seattle.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Mommy and Me n

ProgramNechama Farkash at 425-427-1654A chance for parents and kids to explore the child’s world through story, song, cooking, crafts and circle time. At a private address. Call for location.

12 p.m. – Torah in Sneakers with Rabbi n

BorodinCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgPower walk with the rabbi while discussing the Torah portion and other topics. Meet at Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

12 p.m. – Torah for Women n

Rochie Farkash at 206-383-8441 or eastsidechabad@earthlink.netRochie Farkash leads a group of Eastside women in a discussion of the weekly Torah portion. At Starbucks (backroom), Bellevue Galleria, Bellevue.

7 p.m. – Crash Course in Hebrew Reading n

Level 2info@seattlekollel.orgFive-week course taught by Rabbi Dovid Fredman. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Teen Center n

Ari Hoffman at thehoffather@aol.comVideo games, game tables, food, and fun for high school students. Hosted by NCSY. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

Cynthia Williams Call 206-769-7140

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Erez Ben-AriJTNews Correspondent

One sunny day, nearly 20 years ago, an Israeli engineer by the name of Yaron Shamir, working at Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, decided it was finally time to go back to Israel. His boss at the time was not too thrilled about the decision, but Shamir had made up his mind. So Shamir’s boss made him a tempting offer: “Why don’t you start up a new develop-ment center over there, so we can at least keep you around?” Shamir recalls the supervisor as saying.

The boss, of course, was Bill Gates, and Yaron answered that he would. Shortly after, Shamir landed in Haifa and joined forces with Avi Nathan, another software engineer. They rented some office space and started to fish around for more local talent.

Until then, Microsoft had concen-trated its entire development activity in the U.S. Early on, Shamir had to work hard to get his new recruits interest-ing projects. His team produced the fax tool included with Windows 95, pieces of IBM’s OS/2 operating system — parts of

Opening windows to israelHow Microsoft expanded its reach outside of U.S. borders

which were outsourced to Microsoft for development — among others.

In 1995, one modest product, Micro-soft Proxy Server, software used by large

companies to speed up their Internet access, eventually ballooned into a 200-person team that had increased the scope and capabilities of the product.

By 2006, Shamir had retired and Nathan had taken his place as gen-eral manager of the Haifa develop-ment center, when a dramatic change occurred. Moshe Lichtman, who held a key role at the Redmond campus, decided he wanted to relocate back to Israel and initiated a multitude of development projects at a newly built development center in Herzliya. He populated the site with many new hires, as well as employ-ees from several acquisitions Microsoft made over the previous decade.

One of the key challenges facing the engineers in Israel is the need to work in tight cooperation with the Redmond headquarters. Thanks to modern net-working, a lot can be accomplished using e-mail and video conferencing, and there’s less need for employees to travel the 7,000 miles between Israel and Wash-ington.

There are, however, other hoops to jump through. One, of course, is the time difference. Israel’s workday starts at about midnight in Redmond, and when Washingtonians step into the office at 9

Be in the know…Subscribe to JTNews

206.441.4553

courtesy erez ben-ari

Microsoft’s offices in Haifa, Israel.

u Page 17B

B12 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

m.o.t.: member of the tribe

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The Eastside ’s OnlySocial Address

Diana BrementJTNews Columnist

“People urged me to write the book — specifically my wife,” says Bellevue resident Alvin Ziontz of his memoir, A Lawyer in Indian Country. Seventy-eight-years old when he started in 2006, he remembers thinking, “I’d better get busy.”

He’d always told stories about work-ing with Native Americans, but writing gave him the opportunity “to flesh it out,” especially for those who know little about these tribes. And after nearly three years of “painfully long” rewriting and revis-ing required by University of Washington Press, the book was released this year.

Al spent the better part of a long career in tribal work, work he fell into some-what by accident as a junior lawyer work-ing in a West Seattle storefront office in the 1960s.

As he tells it, serendipity often played a role in his life. The Chicago native struggled through law school and had started graduate school when he was drafted during the Korean War. The Army brought him to California, making it easy

Lawyer’s memoir reflects on commitment to tribal rightsAlso: Seattle jazz trumpeter on making it in New York

to move to Seattle — where he’d worked one summer — when the war ended.

He struggled again as a junior lawyer with a boss who was often absent, but that first, serendipitous, Indian job led to the long career he details in the book.

After he retired, he spent a decade as a professional photographer until an increasingly bad back led him to real retirement.

He’s always tended to view his life through a historical lens, appreciating his working-class pedigree and the very different life he made for himself in the Northwest.

“I never lose sight or awareness of my roots,” Al says.

The book “has brought Chicago back into my consciousness,” as several high school classmates have read it and con-tacted him.

“It’s very nice,” he says, to have an old part of your existence “come back to life.”

With the writing habit fully ingrained,

he started another project once the book was complete. It’s a journal — not for publication — a reflection on “living in the red zone, after age 70, when death is approaching.” Shortly after starting, his wife Lenore (Lennie) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, “and it became a journal focused on her.”

After a “terrifically hard” surgery, che-motherapy and recuperation, “she came out of it and made a dramatic recovery,” and writing has shifted back to him.

Now, he says, “I’m currently writing on the subject of decrepitude.”

Active at the Stroum Jewish Commu-nity Center, Al is president of the active seniors club, arranging programs and conducting two round-table discussions each month. He and Lennie also spend time with their four grown children and five grandchildren, all in the area.

Native American tribes are making progress, he reflects, but, “there’s still room for improvement…. I would first like to see healthy Indian communities.”

The tribes are “recovering from [years of] historical damage,” but in their work for environmental preservation, tribes have really led the way for the rest of society.

“The natural environment is their sus-tenance and they are very, very protective of it — and it’s all to our benefit,” he says.

•••Born and raised in Seattle, Tatum

Greenblatt, a 2000 graduate of Garfield High School, has been carving out a pro-

fessional music career in New York since he was 18.

“I’ve kind of been playing my whole life,” he explains.

Growing up in a musical household, a toddler’s natural instinct to hit things with sticks had him playing his brother’s drums at an early age.

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courtesy tatum greenblatt

Trumpet player Tatum Greenblatt will return to Seattle later this month for several performances.

The tribes are “recovering from [years of] historical damage,” but in their work for environmental preser-vation, tribes have really led the way for the rest of society. “The natural environment is their sustenance and they are very, very protective of it — and it’s all to our benefit,” he says.

B13friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewsm.o.t.: member of the tribe

His father, saxophonist Dan Green–blatt, is a professional musician and Tatum calls his mom, Karyn Cline “an avid fan” of all kinds of music.

Having a professional parent didn’t guarantee he’d become a musician, but his parents did insist that music be part of his education. He started trumpet at Madrona Elementary after a friend left town and left his horn with Tatum. He had an affinity for the instrument, and playing well became its own reward. That “turned into a long line of opportunities that were rewarding and fun,” he says.

It did help that Dad could seek out the best teachers and could help during “times of frustration and confusion.”

At 12, he says, he remembers decid-ing, “I’m going to move to New York and do this for the rest of my life.”

He attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. The college years were “advantageous” for transition-ing into life in the Big Apple, but playing professionally “is an old-school, word-of-

Focus on Bellevue

M.O.T. t Page 12B mouth business,” even in the digital age. “Everybody has a Web site, everyone has a CD… but what it really comes down to is so-and-so who has a gig and vouches for you.”

After college he played exclusively for a year — “a dismal existence” — then returned to school, getting a Master’s from Juilliard in 2008. Now he plays often, “with about 20 different groups.”

When we spoke, he was rehearsing for the on-stage band for the musical Hair.

His parents are also in New York now, his dad working at the New School, Tat-um’s alma mater, and his mom study-ing film.

“It’s nice to have your mom cook dinner for you once in a while,” he observes.

Tatum sneaks back to Seattle for two shows this month. He plays with Jay Thomas at Tula’s on Dec. 23, and his own Here and Now Quintet appears at the Triple Door on Dec. 26. Both shows fea-ture quintet member and another former Seattleite, Ben Roseth. For more informa-tion, visit myspace.com/tatumgreenblatt.

Eastsiders looking for last-minute Hanukkah Judaica either for their own celebration or as a gift can check out some options at the Common Folk home décor store, which recently moved to Bellevue and has been ranked as one of the top five Best of Western Wash-ington gift stores. They are located at 15600 NE 8th St. in the Crossroads shopping center.

courtesy common folk

B15friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewscelebrate hanukkah

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DELIGHT IN THE SEASON

PULSE OF THENEW NORTHWEST

Natasha RosenstockSpecial to JTNews

To give or not to give, that is the ques-tion. To give what? In this case, two things: A meaningful Hanukkah experi-ence, and gifts each night of the festival.

Don’t worry, JTNews hasn’t become like department stores who advertise for Christmas in October.

However, while it may be a bit late for this year, I do think it is useful to start dis-cussing Hanukkah one month before the festival. That’s because I’m talking about planning ahead of time for a meaningful holiday, rather than simply getting a head start on shopping for gifts.

In case you are tempted to blame yourself for the perpetuation of cele-brating Hanukkah in competition with Christmas, let me provide some histori-cal context and tell you it’s not your fault. In fact, your synagogue may have told you to do it.

Dianne C. Ashton is the Director of American Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., and the author of an upcoming book, The American Chanukah.

“Hanukkah festivals for children in the synagogue started in the 1870s in the Reform congregations and they were very definitely trying to find ways for Jewish children to be as interested in their reli-gion like churches were doing with Chris-tian kids,” Ashton says. “And then the Conservative movement picked up on it — not just the presents but the concern for Jewish children remaining interested in Judaism and enlivened by it in Decem-ber, so Hanukkah festivals became one way to promote that.”

So what to do when your own syna-gogue might be encouraging you to cel-ebrate Hanukkah in competition with Christmas? Your children are bombarded with media messages promoting the gift-giving spirit of the season, and they may also be receiving gifts from well-mean-ing relatives.

Rabbi Sandy Rubenstein is the direc-tor of Jewish Chaplaincy Services at the Jewish Social Service Agency in Rock-ville, Md. She has advice for families struggling with these issues: “If gifts are emphasized, how can we think about them in a different way? There are ways to bring in new meaning to the holiday,” she says. “You can do things that are not about giving gifts, but lighting candles, and talk about ways to rededicate our-selves to what’s important to us. We can light candles for justice or peace or talk about what brings light into my life and your life and what are the places that need light in this world?”

She says parents should ask them-selves, “If you don’t want gifts to be dom-inant, how do you create meaning in the holiday so it’s not about kids feeling bad about Christmas?”

I spoke to a number of moms who have either dismissed the gift-giving culture and only give the traditional gelt, or per-haps started out giving one gift each night and then moved away from that.

Here are some of their ideas to bring meaning back into the festival and cut down on the emphasis on Christmas-style consumerism.

• Give your kids $1 for each candle, each night. At the end of eight nights, they’ll receive $36.

• Use Hanukkah gelt to teach your kids

Lights, dreidels... gifts?To give or not to give? The real question is how to make gifts meaningful

a lesson about spending wisely. They can decide if they want to spend their Hanuk-kah gelt on a toy for themselves, some-thing else, or pool it with their siblings for one larger item everyone can enjoy together.

• Before kids receive new gifts for Hanukkah, have them go through their toys and determine what they no longer play with so they can donate those items. They will recognize that part of receiv-ing gifts is also to give to children who are less fortunate.

• Use that time of year to collect the money from the tzedekah boxes around your house and have your children help

u Page 16B

Zach Robin, a 6th grader at the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle in Bellevue, holds up December of the TIPS Partnership calendar, which features his artwork. The partnership, a coalition of Jewish Federa-tions in Tucson, Phoenix and Seattle with the Israeli communities of Kiryat Malachi and the Hof Ashkelon region, opened the contest up to Jewish 5th and 6th graders to create artwork based on an environmental theme. JDS student Noa Dunn has her artwork in the calendar and three other students also received recognition.

courtesy jDs

Focus on Bellevue

B16 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

focus on bellevue

make the decision about where to donate the money. Let them physically donate the money themselves and/or see the effects of their donation.

• If you do feel pressure to give your kids some type of gift every night, spread out the giving among yourself and other relatives.

• Gifts can be items you would have bought your children anyway, like new school clothes, pajamas or books.

• Do not try to compete with Christ-mas. Tell your children it is okay for others to celebrate their own holiday their way and for you to celebrate your holiday another way.

Happy Hanukkah!

Natasha Rosenstock is a writer living in Potomac, Md. You can visit her at www.natasharosenstock.com. This piece originally appeared in the Washington Jewish Week.

Gift Pressure t Page 15B

Focus on Bellevue

Thinking of giving?Here are a few charities, local and worldwide, that could use your help. This list is by no means close to exhaustive, nor should it represent any preference on behalf of JTNews, but all are intended to directly help families in need. Find more at www.jtnews.net.

Jewish Family Service (in Seattle and Spokane): It’s no secret that donations are down and need is up. More families than ever before, many of them Jewish, are visiting the food bank and not making ends meet. Having children bring in non-perishable food is a direct way of showing tzedakah in action. Bringing in cash doesn’t hurt, either.

Heifer International: Small donations to this international organization purchase small animals for families in developing countries, giving them a means for income and food. Visit www.heifer.org for information on what your donation gets a family.

One Warm Coat: It’s cold outside, and that old coat in the back of your closet is doing nothing but harvesting dust mites. Put it to use by donating it to One Warm Coat. If they’re not doing a drive in your neighborhood, start one of your own. Visit www.one-warmcoat.org for more information.

B17friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewsfocus on bellevue

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a.m., most of the employees in Israel are on their way home. Add to that the Israeli weekend, which is Friday-Saturday, it can be a challenge to arrange a direct dialog. Many employees have no choice but to get up really early or stay at the office past dinnertime.

Another, sometimes more amusing hurdle, is the language barrier. While every employee in Israel speaks good English, things can still get confusing. Dan Herzog, a senior engineer from the IAG team in Redmond, for example, faces frequent confusion.

“I was born in the U.S., and I don’t speak a word of Hebrew, but with a classic Hebrew name like Herzog, many Israe-lis assume I’m one of them,” he says. “I’ve even had to deal with people who refused to believe I can’t speak the language.”

Drory Ben Menachem, who works on user experience design with the Israel office, shares a similar, but more compli-cated story.

“Quite often, my English e-mails are

replied to in Hebrew simply because I have an Israeli name,” says Ben Men-achem. “As the son of Israeli parents and younger sibling to two brothers — all of whom speak Hebrew fluently — it is a point of embarrassment for me that my Hebrew language skills are so poor. So, whereas others might respond with a simple ‘English, please’ e-mail, I will spend minutes/hours wracking my brain to decipher the Hebrew — and some-times resort to online translators (or a call to my brothers) for help with words I’m stuck on.”

On the Israeli side, there are more challenges. Though the offices in Israel are considered quite large by Israeli stan-dards, it’s not quite like the tens of thou-sands of people working in Redmond, and some Israelis find it hard to com-prehend and deal with the necessary administrative framework involved — this despite their country’s infamous red tape-laden bureaucracy. For exam-ple, Microsoft’s Information Technology group works hard to set certain standards to govern such practices as hardware and

software purchases, and these standards help improve budget management. If an employee needs a new computer, he or she may find more administrative dif-ficulties in doing so, because the com-puters sold in Israel might not meet the standards or regulations set by the U.S.-based IT group.

Naturally, with hundreds of engineers working at the Israeli sites, one of the con-sequences is a lot of migrations back and forth. Dozens of Israeli engineers have relocated to Redmond throughout the years, and a few Americans have relo-cated to Israel as well.

One of them is David Cross, a prod-uct unit manager in Haifa, who moved to Israel two years ago. Cross realized that despite the easy access to technol-ogy, relationships are still based on face-to-face contact. Without that pre-existing physical contact, he says, it’s difficult to build and develop those relationships. Cross travels to the United States fre-quently, but it’s still challenging on a daily basis.

“However,” Cross says, “this has some

upsides, too. In Israel, we work from Sunday to Thursday, and so Sunday is a great work day. We hardly get any e-mails from the U.S. on Sunday, and that gives me a chance to get a lot of things done.”

Following the establishment of the site in Herzliya, in a few short years Micro-soft’s Israel workforce has grown sig-nificantly, with more growth planned. Current projects include Headlight, a web-based advertising tool that offers zoomable information within a lim-ited space, and HiTouchy, a multi-touch screen implementation developed in a week by just four engineers. Accord-ing to Lichtman, the Israeli center con-ducts leading research in many areas from e-commerce to mobile services, all of which he believes will make global impacts in the coming years.

“Becoming the crown jewel of the software industry in Israel is a long-term aspiration of ours,” Lichtman says. “Thanks to the innovative culture of the center, coupled with its areas of focus, we have attracted top talent from Israel and abroad.”

Microsoft t Page 11B

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ists. It wasn’t until rabbinic times that the whole miracle-of-oil thing came to light, so to speak. Given that we Jews can’t even agree on a spelling for the holiday — Hanukkah? Hanukah? Chanukah — it’s no wonder that a shroud of mystery sur-rounds its celebration.

I’ve come to realize, however, that my approach is all wrong.

“The interesting thing about Hanuk-kah is that it’s had different defini-tions in different years,” said Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, the president of CLAL, a plu-ralistic Jewish think tank. “In every gen-eration Hanukkah has been a celebration of overcoming whatever the biggest chal-lenge the Jewish people were facing.”

In fact, the rabbi said my questioning was appropriate.

“It’s in the spirit of the day,” he told me. “Asking new questions, celebrating new answers, knowing how that’s always been.”

Hirschfield pooh-poohed my hang-ups, starting with concerns about light-ing candles on Hanukkah while often skipping the ritual on Shabbat.

“To be able to perform one mitzvah is a tremendously exciting thing,” he told me.

Meredith Jacobs, the Jewish mama maven and founder of the Web site Mod-ernJewishMom.com, has some excel-lent ideas, too. In the Jacobs household in Potomac, Md., each night of Hanukkah has a different theme. One night is game night; the kids (Sophie, 12, and Joel, 10) receive board games and the family plays them together. One night is all about homemade presents, another is tzedakah night, when in lieu of receiving gifts, her kids give one to those in need.

One night she declares as “old-fash-ioned Hanukkah night” in which her kids

receive the kinds of “little, yucky pres-ents” that Jacobs received when she was growing up, like socks or pajamas. (Per-haps her mom and mine are related?)

Jacobs says she also heeds her moth-er’s advice to “make the house smell like yontif.” For Jacobs, that means latkes and brisket — even though, she concedes, brisket is not considered a “traditional” Hanukkah food.

“I try and make the house feel and smell a little different,” she told me, “so it feels exciting and like a holiday.”

That got me thinking. I typically make rugelach this time of year — they’re fun to make, they’re a perfect party food and, packed into a Chinese takeout container, they make great gifts. Inadvertently, I realized, rugelach had evolved into my family’s Hanukkah food. It may not be a canonical choice, but it’s a tradition that’s become as real in my household as a Pass-over seder and Friday-night pizza.

The more I thought about it, the more I understood that we were forging a family Hanukkah, after all. I started thinking about all the moments of triumph this year and how they were worthy of cele-bration.

“There are more ways of celebrating Hanukkah than people who want to [cel-ebrate it],” Hirschfield told me. “The only wrong way to celebrate this holiday is effectively not to celebrate it at all.”

And so, my rocky relationship with Hanukkah is on the mend. We’re still not sure exactly how we’ll celebrate this year, but I can tell you this: There will be love and gifts and rugelach. We’ll light the menorah, we’ll eat some egg rolls and we’ll take it from there.

wwwwww.jtnews.net

Lisa Keys JTA World News Service

NEW YORK (JTA) — I’ll admit it: Hanuk-kah is a holiday I’ve approached with dimin-ishing enthusiasm over the years. I’m not into latkes; I prefer egg rolls. Dreidel’s not nearly as fun as Scrabble. And as the holiday approaches, so, too, does our loaded debate: Are we giving gifts this year or what?

It wasn’t always this way. Growing up in a nonobservant-but-you-have-to-go-to-Sunday-school household, Hanukkah was a pretty awesome holiday that was on par — scratch that, better — than Christ-mas. I remember the excitement build-ing in the air as my mom hung a “Happy Hanukkah” banner in the window next to the blue “helping hand” sign that sig-nified crazy people do not live within. (Anyone remember those?)

We lit the menorah every night. The extended family would have a party at my grandparents’ place. And then there were the presents: 16 blue-wrapped boxes, divided into two piles — eight gifts for me, eight for my sister. Every night we made an exciting choice: Which gift should we open tonight? Sometimes the boxes contained the practical, like pajamas or slippers, two great passions of my mom. Sometimes they were just pure fun, like games or stuffed animals.

As we got older, things changed, of course. Multiple gifts were rolled into a

Lighting up enthusiasm for the holiday Figuring out how to celebrate Hanukkah

single one. The family Hanukkah gath-ering dissolved. Once I was living on my own, I’d probably find my way to a menorah once or twice over the holiday. Hanukkah was more or less uneventful — it became downright complicated when my husband Julian entered the picture.

His family didn’t exchange gif ts during the holiday; to him, presents weren’t part of the Hanukkah equation. But I’d feel slighted because I thought it was meaningful for spouses to exchange a gift or two. He’d be insistent that we light the menorah; I’d feel weird because we rarely, if ever, lit Shabbat candles — and Judaism considers that a much more significant holiday.

Now that we’re parents, the situation seems more pressing, as I’d like for our young son Leon to look forward to Hanuk-kah the same way I did. Or do I? Am I just teaching him to love Hanukkah because, hey, who doesn’t love getting presents? And if we’re strict about the menorah but completely lax about Shabbat candles, are we sending the wrong message? How exactly should we be celebrating Hanuk-kah, anyway?

Of course, we’re not the only ones con-fused. Even the story of Hanukkah has its variations: The book of 1 Maccabees por-trays Hanukkah as a military victory over an evil king; 2 Maccabees sees it as a vic-tory of pious Jews over the assimilation-

B19friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnews

Focus on Bellevue

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Welcome to the Seattle Jewish Choral & Shalom Ensemble

appearing December 12 at 7:30pm on the Crossroads Market Stage

Welcome to the Seattle Jewish Chorale & Shalom Ensemble

Martin Westerman JTNews Columnist

Once again, Hanukkah candles pro-vide us warm oases of light in the winter dark ness, leading us into enjoyable Jewish spaces — and into our yiddishe neshamot (Jewish souls).

“The idea of struggling with God defines us,” says Rabbi Anson Laytner of Seattle congregation Kol HaNeshamah. “People of other faiths might look askance at the idea, but it is our destiny. And, according to our tradition, as Jacob wrestled with the Angel, even if we end up wounded in some way, we are blessed for having wres-tled with the divine, rather than meekly accepting all we have been taught as ‘God’s truth.’ What a unique idea!”

Jews have survived for centuries using this idea. We have pushed beyond what others told us is possible, because we know that our present situations may not work out, and a new future must be created. We must forge ahead, envisioning new possi-bilities, thinking and acting “outside the box.” It’s that idea we must apply to today’s environmental challenges.

Hanukkah: lighting a look backWhere are our earth-friendly tipping points?

I once saw a poster of the Earth, with the caption, “Where else do you plan to live?” With nowhere else to go, faced with overwhelming greenhouse gas emis-sions, and air, land and water pollution; with climate change deniers, the com-fortably ignorant and the overwhelmed on all sides, how can we work ourselves out of this jam?

Our own people are stuck with the crowd, for example:

• The wealthy Jewish businessman who erects a 17,000-square-foot house that’s “bigger than his brother’s,” rather than conserve resources and build green,

• The Lubavitcher rabbi who’s less interested in eliminating food-service waste at his numerous, weekly Chabad House meals than in finding a kosher sandwich supplier for Jewish students,

• The young Jewish mother who drives her children five blocks from home to the bus stop, rather than let them walk in fresh morning air, free of exhaust fumes from her car.

Biblically, one could view these exam-ples as another in the Almighty’s cycles of hardening hearts before great histor-ical shifts: Hardening Pharaoh’s before the Exodus; Sodom and Gemorah’s before their destruction; the Hebrews’ before their return to Zion from Babylonian diaspora. Usually, great resistance builds before great change occurs, for good, and for ill. Mal-colm Gladwell gives wonderful secular

examples in his book, The Tipping Point.Each of our example people could get

what they wanted without so burdening the planet: kosher food and waste-free foodservice; a big house and “greener than his brother’s”; mobility and fresh air. The questions are, where is our “earth-friendly” behavioral tipping point, and how do we reach it?

Do we push people to change behav-ior, through education, incentives and policymaking? Do we force people to adjust, by building changes into their daily lives, through product manufacture and regulations? Or do both?

“We cannot retreat to the convenience of being overwhelmed,” says American Jewish World Service President Ruth Messinger. As Pirke Avot (1:17) says, “It is not the study that is essential, but rather the action.”

With this column, I complete my first year of writing “Jewish on Earth.” In this past year, I wonder how many of you have changed your behavior, or taken some new “green” step? W hat incentive(s) would prompt you to take one, or many more? Something financial, something ethical, something exciting, punitive and/or emotional?

I wouldn’t ask these questions, or write this column, if we all lived in harmony with nature, and built sustainability into everything we do and use. But we don’t. So here I write and ask.

There are two places where science and religion intersect:

1. Guessing how the world began, and 2. Guessing how it will end. Since the dawn of history, humans

have created my t hs to explain t he unknown, generally centered around the actions of all-powerful beings. These myths coalesce into God-centered belief systems and religions. You can find an enjoyable survey of them in Kenneth C. Davis’ Don’t Know Much About Mythol-ogy, including the conjecture that the Hebrews’ singular god originated with Pharaoh Akhnaten in the 1320s BCE.

It is a tribute to our resilience that over the intervening three millenia, as Hebrews, then Israelites, then Jews, we have devel-oped Yiddishe koppen (brains) and nesh-amot that rarely take things at face value, and strive to change them for the better. And we have been blessed for our efforts.

Now, as we warm our souls with Hanukkah and Shabbos lights, I suggest asking ourselves a new question: What can make being “green” effortless? How can we, as Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”? Some-times, you can get the hard things done by making it easy for yourself.

Author and teacher Martin Westerman writes and consults on sustainable living. He can be contacted with questions at artartart@seanet.com.

B20 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

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7 p.m. – Living a Meaningful Jewish Life: n

From Social Justice to SexualityJacob at jacob@hilleluw.org This year-long class for people new to Judaism as well as for Jewish young adults who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Jewish life will cover the Jewish calendar, lifecycles, theology and prayer and will emphasize the deeper meaning behind Jewish practice. At UW Hillel, 4745 17th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 - 9:15 p.m. – Living Judaism - The Basics n

with Mary PotterKris Klippel at 206-524-0075 or krisklippel@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgAn introduction to Judaism for Jews looking to deepen their knowledge, non-Jewish partners of Jews, and conversion students. The tuition for this weekly class includes a year-long Hebrew course. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings n

Eve M. Ruff at 206-461-3240 or emruff@jfsseattle.orgMeeting for anyone who has stopped or would like to stop drinking. At Jewish Family Service, 1601 16th Ave., Seattle.

7 p.m. – Hebrew Level I n

Carol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgLearn the Alef Bet and become familiar with the basic vocabulary of the Siddur. Cost is $250. Discounts available for members and early birds (by 9/16). Call to pre-register or

visit www.bethshalomseattle.org. At Congre-gation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Hebrew II (Biblical) with Elizabeth n

FaginCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgLearn the building blocks of basic biblical Hebrew. Cost is $250. Discounts available for members. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Hebrew III (Biblical) with Mark n

SolomonCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgDesigned for students who already have some foundation in basic Hebrew grammar (including Pa’al/Qal verbs), this class focuses on remaining verb forms and translating the Joseph story. Cost is $250. Discounts available for members. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Hebrew IV (Prayerbook)- n

Unlocking the Siddur with Beth HuppinCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgFor students with basic Hebrew grammar/vocabulary, this class will focus on understand-ing Siddur Hebrew. Cost is $250. Discounts available for members. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 - 8:30 p.m. – Intermediate Conversational n

HebrewJanine Rosenbaum at 206-760-7812

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7:15 p.m. – SoulQuest: The Journey n

Through Life, Death, and Beyond206-290-6301A six-week course about Jewish perspectives on death and the afterlife. Led by Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky. Cost is $60. Offered through the Jewish Learning Institute. At Mercer View Community Center, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island.

7:15 p.m. – The Mishna and its Sages n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org Learn about the Mishna and the Talmud, the books that are the backbone of Jewish tradition, faith and history. $25. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7:15 p.m. – How to Learn Rashi n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 This course will unveil some of the beautiful simplicity and complexity of Rashi’s com-mentary for the layman. $25. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7:30 p.m. – Why Be Jewish? n

Melanie Berman at 206-232-8555 or melanie@h-nt.orgThis class explores what is distinctive about Judaism and the Jewish people. At Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 E Mercer Island Way, Mercer Island.

7:30 p.m. – Parshah class n

Ongoing t Page 10B 425-427-1654 or Rabbi@ChabadIssaquah.com Rabbi Berry leads an in-depth Parshah class. At Chabad of Issaquah, 24121 SE Black Nugget Rd., Issaquah.

7:30 p.m. – Weekly Round Table Kabbalah n

Classeastsidechabad@earthlink.netMen and women join together to explore the mystical teachings of the Kabbalah. At a private home.

7:45 p.m. – Mystical Understanding of the n

Hebrew AlphabetDovid Fredman at 206-251-4063 or rabbifredman@seattlekollel.org Discover the mystifying depth and beauty of the Hebrew letters. Free. At Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

8:30 p.m. – End of Life Issues and the n

BeyondMarilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.orgThis series addresses the halachic questions of end of life issues and explores customs of Jewish burial, mourning rituals, the secrets of Kaddish and a perspective of the world to come. $25. At Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.8:30 p.m. – Soul DietMarilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.orgThe Soul Diet is a no-holds-barred approach to restricting the invasion of pseudo-wisdom that is shaping core values and causing a general state of confusion in the minds of many. $25. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

Focus on Bellevue

B21friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewscommunity calenDar

Happy HanukkaH!

Ralph & Marcelle Adatto

Happy Hanukkah!

The Volchok Families

The Eastern FamilySam & Sharon

Richard, Stacey, Joshua, Emily & Zachary

David, Deena, Max & Isabelle

happy hanukkah! Happy Hanukkah & Holiday Happiness

Herb M. Bridgeand Family

Hanukkah Greetings!to my friends & family

& wishing you good health!

Frieda Sondland

Hanukkah Greetings!

The Saran Family

H A P P Y H A N U K K A H !

Gerson Goldman & Family

Happy Hanukkah!

Dita and Fred Appelbaum

Happy Hanukkah!

Susan & Loki

Stacy Schill Ryan & Maddy Kubasta

Happy Hanukkah! HanukkaH GreetinGs!

Gerry and Sandra OstroffJoel, Leslie & Torry Ostroff

Tami, Ed, Yoni, Emma, Tova & Zachary Gelb

WedneSdAy11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Torah with a Twist n

206-938-4852Women learn Torah with Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz of the Seattle Kollel at this weekly class. At a Mercer Island location. Call for directions.

11:45 a.m. – Talmud Berachot n

Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus at 206-718-2887 or rabbipinkus@seattlekollel.org Interactive discussion and study session of the Talmud Berachot. Hosted by the Seattle Kollel. Free. At Tullys Westlake Center, 1601 5th Ave., Seattle.

1:30 p.m. – Book Club at the Stroum n

JCCRoni Antebi at 206-232-7115, ext. 269Book discussions the first Wednesday of every month. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

3 p.m. – The Mother’s Circle n

Marjorie Schnyder at 206-461-3240, ext. 3146 A program for moms from other backgrounds raising Jewish kids to get support, learn about Jewish rituals, practices and values, and get connected to the Jewish community. Sponsored by Jewish Family Service. Every other Wednesday. At Whole Foods Market, 1026 NE 64th St., Seattle.

7–9 p.m. – Teen Lounge for Middle n

SchoolersAri at 206-295-5888 Foosball, ping-pong, pool, basketball, arcade games and optional classes. At the Yavneh building at Congregation Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath, 5145 S Morgan St.,

Seattle. 7 p.m. – Beginning Israeli Dancing for n

Adults with Rhona FeldmanCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075Older teens and all experience levels are welcome. $40 for a five-session punch card. Discount for members. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Wisdom for Women 14+ n

Rabbi Bresler at 206-331-8767 or info@seattlekollel.orgJewish Women ages 14 and up are invited to take part in an afternoon of thought-provoking learning, wisdom, and ideas from the Torah. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7-10 p.m. – Parsha and Poker n

info@h-nt.orgA look at the Torah portion of the week followed by a friendly game of poker with proceeds going to tzedakah. Led by Rabbi Josh Hearshen. At Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

7:15 p.m. – The Jewish Journey n

206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.orgThis two-year comprehensive program guides students through the historical, philosophical and mystical wonders of Judaism’s 3,500-year heritage. Cost is $360, plus a $36 registration fee. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

7:30 p.m. – n Parshas Hashavuaheastsidechabad@earthlink.netThis class provides a general overview of the Torah portion of the week accompanied by Midrashic commentaries, philosophical insight, and practical lessons. At the Eastside

Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE #303, Bellevue.

8:15 p.m. – God, the Universe, and Me n

Marilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289 or info@seattlekollel.org Rebbetzin Shirley Edelstone leads a class addressing questions about God and free will. $25. At the Seattle Kollel, 5305 52nd Ave. S, Seattle.

THurSdAy9:30-10:30 a.m. – Women’s Talmud n

Sasha Mail at 206-323-7933, ext. 301Talmud study class for women led by Rivy Poupko Kletenik. Free. At Seattle Hebrew Academy, 1617 Interlaken Dr. E, Seattle.

12 p.m. – Rambam on Chumash for n

WomenMarilyn Leibert at 206-722-8289A discussion of foundational Jewish concepts through the eyes of Nachmanides on Chumash in the Book of Genesis, as well as an analysis of key Rashis. Prerequisite: the ability to recognize the Hebrew letters and a desire to learn basic Hebrew grammar. For women only. $25. Sponsored by the Seattle Kollel. At a private home, Mercer Island.

6:50 p.m. – Introduction to n HebrewJanine Rosenbaum at 206-760-7812Helps students build fluency and comprehen-sion of the prayers of the Friday evening service. $50. At Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

7 p.m. – Junior Teen Center n

Ari Hoffman at thehoffather@aol.comVideo games, game tables, food, and fun for middle schoolers. Hosted by NCSY. At the

Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

7 p.m. – Beginners Bridge Class n

Roni Antebi at 206-232-7115, ext. 269 or ronia@sjcc.orgAn eight-week class to familiarize students with the basic principles of bridge. $60/JCC members, $70/non-members. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

7:30 p.m. – Judaism: The Ultimate n

Journeyinfo@h-nt.orgRabbi Jay Rosenbaum leads a course called “From Slavery to Freedom: Political Activism and Personal Ethics in the Bible and the Age of Democracy.” At Herzl-Ner Tamid, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

8–10 p.m. – Teen Lounge for High n

SchoolersAri at 206-295-5888Foosball, ping-pong, pool, basketball, arcade games and snacks. At the Yavneh building at Congregation Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath, 5145 S Morgan St., Seattle.

8 p.m. – Beth Shalom Beit Midrash n

Carol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgRabbi Stuart Light will teach Masechet Berachot from the Mishnah. $5/class or 6 classes for $25. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

u Page 25B

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B22 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

section

hanukkah greetings!

Joann goldmanDan, Cheryl, Candace

& David Beckerarthur, susie, Brandon & Mackenzie goldman

Hanukkah Greetings!Doug & Marcia Wiviott

David Wiviott & Christin Denning

Stephanie, Tony & Tori Harris Rainier Overseas Movers

Happy Hanukkah!

Stephen, Robin, Emily

& Sara Boehler

Lindsay, Barry & Elle O'Neil

Hanukkah Greetingsfrom

the BenardoutsBob & Sue

Jessie, Mandy & Melissa

Hanukkah Greetings!Natalie & Bob Malin

Lori Goldfarb, daughter & Samantha Rogel

Keith, Linda, Alec & Kylie Goldfarb

Melissa, Todd & Brandon Reninger

Kevin Malin

Happy Hanukkah!

Louise Kornreich

Happy Hanukkah!

Dick & Marilyn Brody

Happy Hanukkah!

Larry & Shelley Seth, Josh and

Danielle Bensussen

Happy Hanukkah!Jason & Betsy Schneier,

Ariel & Amanda

Mildred Rosenbaum

Aaron & Edith DichtEr

Stephen, Gina, Marisa & Lauren DichtEr

robin, Max & Denielle Morgan

ZAMbrowSky

Hanukkah Greetings!

Jammed to the raftersStroum JCC’s annual Hanukkah party kicks it up a notch

Photos by leyna krow

B23friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewssection

The rabbi made olive oil, the kids painted dreidels, and everyone ate latkes. The Pajama Jam, a Hanukkah party put on by the Stroum Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s PJ Library on Dec. 6, filled the JCC’s gym with families that played games and created art activities. More than one kid went home covered in fake tattoos and paint on her face on this otherwise freezing December afternoon.

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BOSTON (JTA) — From all corners of the globe, to under the sea and above the skies, a new crop of children’s books for Hanukkah takes readers on a world-wide spin with delightful and informa-tive books for kids of all ages.

Hanukkah Around the WorldTami Lehman-Wilzig, illustrated by Vicki WehrmanKar-Ben; $16.95 hardcover; $7.95 paper; ages 8-11

Move over latkes, make room for pre-cipizi. And sufganiyot, debla cookies and burmuelos. These are among the tradi-tional sweets eaten in Jewish homes from Italy to Israel, Tunisia and Turkey during the eight-day Festival of Lights. Recipes for the treats are featured in Hanukkah Around the World by Israeli-American children’s writer Tami Lehman-Wilzig. The illustrated travelogue takes young readers to eight faraway places around the globe.

First stop, the Israeli city of Modi’in, the ancient biblical home of the Macca-bees where the Hanukkah story began 2,000 years ago. Today the city comes alive to celebrate its beloved holiday with a relay race to Jerusalem and eight days of kid-friendly festivities, Lehman-

New kids’ books hitting the shelves at Hanukkah

Wilzig writes in an e-mail from her home in Israel.

Each of the eight cit ies featured includes a short fictional story that high-lights local customs, historical notes, current events and easy-to-follow reci-pes. Back pages include Hanukkah pot-pourri from other locales and a glossary.

The custom that most impressed Leh-man-Wilzig was in Turin, where a custom connects the summertime observance of Tisha B’Av, commemorating the ancient destruction of the Temple, with Hanukkah, recalling the rededication of the Temple.

“It’s a wonderful way to close the circle and is a custom to be cherished,” she writes.

Menorah Under the SeaEsther Susan HellerKar-Ben, $17.95; ages 4-8

Menorah Under the Sea is a photo essay-style book that follows the explorations of David Ginsburg, a marine ecologist from Los Angeles who takes readers on an adventure to McMurdo station in Antarc-tica. The journal-like narrative describes how Ginsburg and his research partner, who arrived in Antarctica on the first night of Hanukkah, use rubber dry suits to emerge under the treacherous waters.

While collecting sea urchins and star-fish for his research, Ginsburg is inspired suddenly to create a menorah on the sea floor using the neon-like sea urchins and

starfish. Captured on film, and repro-duced in the book, the glowing meno-rah is a sparkling and inspiring wonder. Notes at the book’s end explain that sea urchins are invertebrates and have no central nervous system. During Gins-burg’s menorah assembly, readers are reassured that no animals were harmed.

The Rabbi and the Twenty-Nine WitchesMarilyn HirshMarshall Cavendish, $17.99; ages 4-9

This is a re-publication of a Jewish children’s classic, by the late Marilyn Hirsh, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning artist and writer. Hirsh brings a light-hearted touch to this old legend from the Talmud about a cave full of witches, frightened villagers, the full moon and a wise rabbi. Her whimsical black-and-white line illustrations, with blue throughout, will delight readers; even the wicked witches are more slap-stick than frightening.

Hirsh, who died of cancer in 1988, was a consummate professional and a uniquely talented artist, recalls the noted children’s writer David Adler, who worked with Hirsh while he was an editor at the Jewish Publication Society. Adler recalls that in the early 1980s, though she was ill and hospitalized, Hirsh illus-trated the JPS’s 50th anniversary edition of The Adventures of K’ton Ton, the clas-

sic Jewish children’s series by Sadie Rose Weilerstein.

The Amazing Menorah of MazeltownHal Dresner and Joy Fate, illustrated by Neil ShapiroRed Rock Press, $16.95; ages 4-8

When Molly and Max find an old, grimy menorah in their father’s junk shop, they discover the power of the menorah to transform their dreary town in the dark days of winter.

Happy Hanukkah, CorduroyBased on the character created by Don Freeman, illustrated by Lisa McCueViking, $5.99; ages 6 months to 3 years

The popular, cuddly bear of the clas-sic Don Freeman books enlists the help of his animal friends to celebrate Hanuk-kah, lighting the menorah, eating latkes, singing, and playing dreidel.

A Chanukah Present for Me!Lily Karr, illustrated by Jill McDonaldScholastic, $6.99; ages 6 months to 3 years

This brightly colored board book is packaged as a gift. Each two-board spread features a Hanukkah tradition with large format words and collage illus-trations. There are latkes, dreidels, choc-olate gelt or coins, fried doughnuts and, of course, colorful candles in a menorah. In the end, a smiling family celebrates.

Be in the know…Subscribe to JTNews

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B25friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewssection

HanukkaH GreetinGs to all our friends and family

Rita Rosen

Judy and KRiJn de Jonge sasKia and anneKe

stan and Michele Rosen leslie and JacK

MiMi and nathan goldbeRg sadie & Matilda

Chag Sameach!Bob & Becky Minsky

Kevin Minsky & Natasha Sacouman

Caryn & Gary Weiss Abbi Evanna & Adina Natali

Wendi Neuman Alexandra Rachel & Daniela Talya

fromThe Feldhammers

Allan, Lynn, Matthew & David

Hanukkah Greetings!

Albert M. and Toby Franco& Conrad

Hanukkah Greetings!

Rosalie & Joe Kosher

Cary & Cathy Kosher Lance & Logan

Lonnie & Michele Kosher Zakary Louis & Sabrina Rose

Looking for the perfect Chanukah gift?

Washington State Jewish Family Histories for any home!

Purchase your Family Business Storyboard or Family Tree — Contact Lori at 206-774-2277 or e-mail info@wsjhs.org

Who’s Minding the Store?

Family Storyboards

Six-Generation Celebration

Family Trees

Hanukkah Greetings

206 679 7918

www.SeattlePremises.com

Kevin, Debbi,

Samantha & Jake

Halela

Happy HanuKKaH!

Calendar t Page 20B

Candle Lighting Times12/11/09 3:59 p.m.12/18/09 4:01 p.m.12/25/09 4:04 p.m.1/1/09 4:10 p.m.

december

FridAy 115:30 p.m. – Hanukkah Community Shabbat n

DinnerRabbi Mordechai Farkash at 425-957-7860 or eastsidechabad@gmail.com or www.chabadbellevue.orgAll are welcome to attend the Eastside Torah center’s annual Hanukkah Shabbat dinner. The menu will feature fish, roasted chicken, salad, kugel, challah, vegetables, and dessert. RSVP required. $25/adults, $15/children ages 4 to 12. At the Eastside Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, top floor, Bellevue.

SATurdAy 126:45 - 8:45 p.m. – NYHS Men’s Basketball n

vs. Highland PrepMelissa Rivkin at 206-232-5272 or mrivkin@nyhs.netCheer on the NYHS Varsity Boys as they play Highland Prep. At the Seattle Hebrew Academy’s Ari Grashin Gym, 1617 Interlaken Dr. E, Seattle.

7:30 p.m. – n Peter Pan Returnswww.sjcc.orgA family musical production by the SJCC Center Stage Theater that picks up where the original story of Peter Pan left off. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

9 p.m. – Moishe House Hanukkah Party n

kibbutznik@ravennakibbutz.orgFood, dancing, dreidel, games, and a white elephant gift exchange hosted by Moishe

House Seattle. At Ravenna Kibbutz House Gimel, 6211 23rd Ave. NE, Seattle.

9 p.m. – JSU Formal Casino Night n

Ari Hoffman at thehoffather@aol.com A fundraising event for the Jewish Student Union. Play blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, and dreidel. Cost is $25 if in formal attire, $35 if dressed casually. At Sodo Pop , 2424 1st Ave. S, Seattle.

SundAy 1311 a.m. – Double Chai Fundraiser n

BrunchMarjie Cogan at 206-524-0075Beth Shalom’s annual fundraiser. RSVP requested. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – All Seniors Hanukkah n

CelebrationHelaine Goldstein at 425-885-7323The Active Seniors Club invites all seniors to a Hanukkah celebration. Cost is $1 for members, $2 for non-members. RSVP requested. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

12 p.m. – The Big Spin n

A Hanukkah party to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital featuring a performance of Hanukkah songs by Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America. Cost is $18 per person. At the Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle.

2:30 p.m. – n Peter Pan Returnswww.sjcc.orgA family musical production by the SJCC Center Stage Theater that picks up where the original story of Peter Pan left off. At the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.

3 p.m. – Shaarei Tikvah: A Hanukkah n

Celebration for People of All AbilitiesA community-wide non-denominational celebration for persons with developmental disabilities or persistent mental illness, their families and friends. At Temple B’nai Torah,

15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue.5 p.m. – Hanukkah Party n

Alysa Rosen at 206-525-0915, ext. 210 or rsvp@templebetham.orgTemple Beth Am’s Hanukkah celebration. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle.

5:30 p.m. – Giant Candy Menorah n

Hanukkah party including the construction of a 10-foot-tall menorah out of candy. Hosted by Chabad of the Central Cascades. At Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Dr., Issaquah.

6:30 p.m. – Hanukkah at Redmond Town n

CenterRabbi Mordechai Farkash at 425-957-7860 or eastsidechabad@gmail.com or www.chabadbellevue.orgAn outdoor menorah lighting, Hanukkah songs and treats. At Redmond Town Center.

MOndAy 146:30 p.m. – Hanukkah at Crossroads n

MallRabbi Mordechai Farkash at 425-957-7860 or eastsidechabad@gmail.com or www.chabadbellevue.orgChabad Hebrew School students perform traditional holiday songs. At Crossroads Mall, Bellevue.

7:30 p.m. –The Unknown History of n

Hanukkahinfo@shevetachim.comA two-part class on the history of Hanukkah led by Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld. Free. At Northwest Yeshiva High School, 5017 90th Ave. SE, Mercer Island.

WedneSdAy 165:30 p.m. – Lamplighter Dinner n

Tammy Nguyen at 206-523-9766Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder’s annual Lamplighter Dinner. This year’s event will honor Rabbi and Mrs. Yechezkel and Devorah Kornfeld. At Herban Feast, 3200 1st Ave. S, Ste 100, Seattle.

7 p.m. – Iran-Israel-U.S.: Resolving the n

Nuclear ImpasseA community conference sponsored by local Jewish groups and peace organizations will explore ways of resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis through negotiation rather than force. At Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave., Seattle.

THurSdAy 176 p.m. – Hanukkah on Wheels n

Rabbi Mordechai Farkash at 425-957-7860 or eastsidechabad@gmail.com or www.chabadbellevue.orgHoliday skating party with Chabad. RSVP requested. At Skate King of Bellevue, 1837 156th Ave. NE, Top Floor, Bellevue.

6:30 p.m. –Miracle of Light Hanukkah n

PartyCarol Benedick at 206-524-0075 or carolbenedick@bethshalomseattle.org or www.bethshalomseattle.orgCommunity candle lighting, a talent show, music by Klez Katz, and dinner by Eric Gorbman. Cost is $10/person. Member discount available. At Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle.

8 p.m. – Hot Hanukkah Night n

www.h-nt.org/nextgenNextGen, Herzl-Ner Tamid’s young adult group, will celebrate Hanukkah with a menorah lighting, hot drinks and a dessert potluck. Cost is $10. Location provided upon RSVP.

THurSdAy 249:30 p.m. – Latkepalooza n

www.hilleluw.orgJewish Christmas Eve party hosted by Jconnect and the Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Division. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. At the Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle.

B26 jtnews n friday, december 11, 2009

celebrate hanukkah

Hanukkah Greetings!

Stan & Iantha SIDELL

Mark, Leslie, Leah & Hannah

Scott, Pam, Sydney & Emma

Brooke & Ben Pariser

Hanukkah Greetings!Helen & Manny Lott

Sandra, Gerald, Joel, Leslie & Torry OstroffSharon & Martin LottJordan & Andrea Lott

Jeremy, Elicia, Jossalyn & Micah LottTami, Ed, Yoni, Emma, Tova & Zachary Gelb

Hanukkah Greetings!

Sara Kaplan

David Kaplan & Susan Devan

Sydney Kaplan

Daniel & Miriam Barnett Miya & Blake

Elisa and Zeb Haradon and their cats,

“Momzer” and Mikey

Hanukkah Greetings!

Happy HanukkaH!from the

altaras Family

Dave & sandraJeff, Darcy,

Courtney & mikeGary, June, Jake, Zoe, aly, trevor & Jordan

Dean, Gigi, Jordan & Justen

To our dear friends

Michael, Evelyn & Aviad Benzikry

Tamar Benzikry Stern & Ronnie Stern

Hanukkah Greetings!

Al & Ruth Sanft Brina & Louie

Mark & Nettie Cohodas Samantha & Ben

Richard & Barrie Galanti Sam, Oliver & Rachel Ada

SANFT FAMILY

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah!

Alice & Art Siegal

Rachel FreedenbergJ. Weekly of Northern California

On the road during Hanukkah and feel the need to light candles? There’s an app for that.

Lost all your dreidels and want to play a quick game? There’s an app for that.

Need to know how many days you have left to buy Hanukkah presents? There’s an app for that, too.

Hanukkah-themed applications have been a presence in Apple’s iTunes App Store almost since its inception, and with the holiday beginning Dec. 11, a number of new applications have cropped up to help iPhone and iPod Touch users meld technology with the ancient holiday.

When Apple debuted the App Store in July 2008, it contained 500 applications (known as apps) that could be down-loaded and installed on an iPhone or iPod Touch. Earlier this month, the company announced that it had just surpassed 100,000 apps and 2 billion downloads.

Jewish developers have pounced on the ability to bring a little Yiddishkeit to the handheld devices, and today there are dozens of Jewish-themed apps avail-able at the store.

Some of them are obvious: Siddur, iTal-mud, Hebrew Date. An app called Mikvah shows users the nearest mikvah and pro-vides a checklist of pre-mikvah prepara-tions. The Los Angeles–based Kabbalah

eight nights of appsiPhone programs put Hanukkah in the palm of your hand

Centre International sells the Dialing God app, featuring Kab-balistic meditations and blessings.

Then there are the more off beat apps. ParveOMeter counts dow n t he wa it ing time between eating dairy and meat; iCh-arity allows one to deposit virtual coins i n t o a v i r t u a l tzedakah box; and if you’re wonder i ng whether mahi-mahi is OK to eat, down-load Kosher Fish.

And then there are t he hol iday-based apps: Megillas Esther for Purim, several Omer-counting apps and numerous Pass-over apps, including Haggadot and a game called Find the Matzah.

But when it comes to Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has a clear monopoly on the App Store. From iDreidel to DaysTo Hanuk-kah to Mobile Menorah, there’s an app for everything you might need for the holiday — except maybe one that makes latkes.

“All the kids in my family are always grabbing at my iPhone, so I figured they should play a Jewish game,” said Jeff

Howard, creator of a Hanukkah-themed app called Super Dreidel.

Howard, a Los Angeles–based screen-w riter who describes himself as an “enthusiastic nerd,” came up with the idea for Super Dreidel short ly af ter Hanukkah last year. He joined forces with another tech-obsessed friend, Richard Barry, and the two hired a programmer in New Hampshire to write the program.

Super Dreidel provides unique varia-tions on the ancient spin-and-win game.

Players still spin a dreidel (or virtual dreidel, in this case), but now they can choose between playing “traditional,” “Vegas” or “turbo” style.

For example, in “Vegas,” to make the game go faster, every time a player rolls a shin (put one in), the value of shin increases by one. The ante also increases by one every round.

Users can also set a specific number of rounds or increase the bankroll. Super Dreidel allows for up to eight players.

“A friend of mine and I sat down at his kitchen table with a dreidel and we played and played and played,” Howard said. “The funny thing about the traditional version is that it almost never ends. When you’re playing the electronic version … there’s actually a winner instead of it going on forever.”

The other benefit to the virtual game is that it avoids many of the game’s pitfalls.

“The dreidel never falls off the table,” Howard said. “It never hits gelt and the kids shout, ‘That was no fair. I should respin.’”

The application took about three months to complete, and after passing Apple’s strict vetting process, it was released to the App Store earlier this month.

Super Dreidel retails in the App Store for 99 cents. Thirty percent of each pur-chase goes to Apple, so Howard isn’t expecting to get rich off the app.

“When you do something that’s mainly directed at the Jewish community [rather

courtesy j. weekly

Jeff Howard shows off Super Dreidel, the app he developed with business partner Richard Barry.

B27friday, december 11, 2009 n jtnewscelebrate hanukkah

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than at a vast audience], you figure you’re not going to sell millions and millions,” he said. “It was mainly just for fun and to do something Jewish for the iPhone.”

While Howard created his app for kicks, iPhone apps mean business for 29-year-old Ronnie Schwartz of Web con-struction firm RustyBrick.

The company, based in Suffern, N.Y., mostly creates medium-sized Web appli-cations for its clients. But it has also cre-ated more than 50 iPhone apps, many of which are Jewish-themed.

Schwartz and his twin brother, Barry, own RustyBrick — and happen to be Orthodox Jews. The first app they created was Siddur: For $9.99, users can have every prayer they could possibly need at their fingertips, day or night, no matter where they are — although some of the functions were programmed to be lim-ited on Shabbat.

After the success of Siddur, the brothers decided to create a series of free holiday-themed apps that would get their name out there, and hopefully translate into down-loads of Siddur. The closest holiday was Hanukkah, and so Menorah was born.

The app has several functions: It allows for a virtual menorah lighting, tells users what day of Hanukkah it is and provides the necessary blessings, along with audio done by artist Mo Kiss, a friend of Ronnie Schwartz.

“These were original recordings just

for the app,” Schwartz said. “I didn’t like what was available on the Web. It was old-school stuff — this is a little more hip for the iPhone crowd.”

As chief technology officer of Rusty-Brick, which employs about 15 people, Schwartz is the main developer for its iPhone apps. He’s been programming since he was 13, and it took him no more than four days to write the Menorah program that came out in late November 2008.

An update was released this past July to fix a bug that occurred after the iPhone operating system was updated to version 3.0.

Thus far, Menorah has been down-loaded about 30,000 times. Schwartz thinks it appeals to those who don’t own a menorah or who have never lit one before, or travelers who are away for the holiday and don’t have access to their menorah.

RustyBrick has had its share of run-ins with Apple over its apps — such as a fea-ture on Siddur that would add Hebrew dates to the iCal calendar program on the device. Apple didn’t like that, so Schwartz had to remove the function.

There haven’t been any quibbles with Apple over Menorah — the worst he’s had to deal with, Schwartz said, were some overly nasty reviews.

“With Menorah we got a bunch of anti-Semitic reviews, because you used to be able to review without owning the app, so people would put up anything,” he said. “But Apple removed them within a month.”

More Hanukkah gamesSuper Dreidel and Menorah aren’t the

only Hanukkah-themed apps available for your iPhone or iPod Touch. Here are some other apps to enhance the Festival of Lights. (For reviews of the apps, visit the iTunes App Store.)

DaysTo Hanukkah (99 cents): Dis-plays the number of days left until the first night of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah Match (free): A Memory-style game that has users match Hanuk-kah and other Judaica items (including dreidels, gelt and Torahs). The faster you match, the higher the score — and users can compete for high scores with other users worldwide.

A Dreidel Game (99 cents): A basic dreidel game for two players.

Mobile Menorah (99 cents): Light the shamash with your finger and drag it to

Schwartz is well versed in the halachah of the iPhone. RustyBrick has received requests to create apps such as a machzor and zemirot, which would only be useful on Shabbat or holy days, when the use of devices such as an iPhone is prohibited, but Schwartz refuses.

“Our rabbis won’t let us,” he said.When it comes to Menorah, though,

things get a bit hazy.“Halachically the requirement [for

l ighting Hanuk kah candles] is oi l,” Schwartz said. “The rabbis said, ‘Okay, anything that’s physical light’ — after that it’s questionable if you’re allowed to use electric ones with filament bulbs.

“Bottom line, though, the mitzvah is not necessarily the lighting of it — it’s to spread the miracle,” he noted. “If you open this app and show it to someone else, that’s the mitzvah right there. If you have nothing else, it’s better than nothing.”

the other candles to light them. Has a pro-grammable “burn rate.”

Dreidel Tap (free): Tap the falling dreidels with your finger while avoiding the burning candles. Compete for high scores with other users.

MyMenorah ($4.99): A menorah-light-ing app with live flame animation and a video of candles being lit. Comes in Eng-lish, French and Russian.

This Hanukkah

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LAKIYA, Israel (JTA) — Every April, the sheep in Israel’s southern Negev are sheared by their Bedouin herders, beginning a pro-cess that ends with the production of hefty rugs woven by women from this Bedouin village using a 4,000-year-old technique.

Though the method is old, the women who run the project are part of a new gen-eration of Bedouin women whose work is empowering women who for millennia were denied social and economic oppor-tunities in their conservative society.

At Lakiya Negev Weaving, a project of Sidreh — a nonprofit Bedouin women’s organization supported by Shatil, the grass-roots Israeli arm of the New Israel Fund — everyone involved in the produc-tion of the rugs, pillows and wall hang-ings is a woman, from shepherd to weaver to manager.

The group’s showroom is situated at the entrance to the town of Lakiya, just off the main highway and a few minutes’ drive from Beersheva.

It wasn’t always in so prominent a location.

The group’s first building, established shortly after the group was created in 1991, was burned to the ground and its money stolen before the weavers could be paid.

“I think we were a threat to the men,” says Hala Abushareb, a Bedouin woman in her mid-20s who runs the showroom. “But now the daughters see that their

Bedouin women weave tradition, economics togetherHandmade gifts that benefit both their creators and the beneficiaries

mothers are useful. When women are oppressed, men see it. It’s okay when women get paid. A woman pays money to send her daughter to school and to uni-versity when she didn’t go herself and now the attitude is different.”

Abushareb has a degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Ben-Gurion Univer-sity in Beersheva.

Israel’s Bedouin population numbers roughly 160,000, with the vast majority in the Negev. Bedouin women, who used to work in agriculture and weave tents for shelter, are still in transition in a society that is undergoing dramatic change.

Once agricultural nomads, Bedouin in Israel are increasingly adopting lifestyles similar to those of other Israelis — build-ing permanent homes, working in non-agricultural jobs, sending their children to school and living in established towns or the Bedouin city of Rahat, about 20 minutes north of Beersheva. Some have made these adjustments willingly; others have clashed with the Israeli government over grazing rights, land use and politics.

Despite t hese changes, Bedouin women are still mostly discouraged from working outside the home. Lakiya Negev Weaving has been successful by enabling

the women to work from their homes.No longer weaving tents since most

families live in homes made of adobe, stone or corrugated tin, the women of Lakiya Negev Weaving keep the ancient Bedouin tradition of weaving alive by cre-ating carpets and other items. As a condi-tion of their employment, the women also must agree to take part in educational seminars on women’s health.

The organization employs about 70 women, down from a high of 150 when the economy was stronger. Last year the women produced 64 carpets, some of which ended up in Israel’s fanciest neighborhoods. At the European Union’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, a room called Lakiya is filled with rugs made by the women.

After the sheared wool is cut from sheep, the puffs are spun into raw wool by hand on a wooden spindle, then dipped into huge boiling vats of dye before being placed in the sun to dry. The women take the wool and weave it on a hand-made loom, leaning over it on their knees as the wool is held up across two cinderblocks.

The rugs feature either the five tradi-tional Bedouin colors — black, deep green, dark red, white and dark blue — or contem-porary weaves from a palette of 35 colors.

The showroom near Lakiya’s entrance doubles as a meeting place for the women, who often come with daughters in tow.

“It’s also a social meeting,” Abushareb says. “The women enjoy it. They work a few hours a day, every woman on her own schedule.”

thomas a. schmidt

A Bedouin woman dyes wool for the Lakiya weaving project in the Negev.