There really is only one word to describe celebrating Hanukkah for kids, FUN! And, don’t we all deserve a little fun in our lives? I certainly think so.

Since the birth of my grandson Jayden, I’ve found even more joy in this holiday. Over the years I have been blessed to celebrate with so many of my families, and their young children. And each holiday was so special; younger children are truly enveloped by the story of the holiday and the games and food that accompany it. I saw this in so many children. Now, I not only get to share it with them; but I have that pure joy in my own house; I LOVE it! Below, I have provides some of my personal ideas in creating a magical Hanukkah for kids!

Hanukkah Activities for Kids

Share the Story

The story of Hanukkah is exciting. There are bad guys and heros and happy endings — there is even a miracle. A little Jewish education is important during the holidays. Sometimes the best way to share the story is with a story – a story book! Years and years ago (oh no, am I showing my age?) Hanukkah books were hard to find. Today, that’s not the case. In fact, I recently found this site which shares some of the most wonderful books around. Check it out and please, if you have a favorite book, let me know so I can share it with our community!

Cook (and eat) the Food

Potato Latkes

Hanukkah food is delicious – I look forward to it all year long. Can you blame me? Potato latkes are just so good. Freshly made with apple sauce or sour cream. Honestly, I don’t even think I need a main course; I could eat them for dinner. And, when you make them, which ever recipe you choose, don’t forget my special cooking tip: after you grate the potatoes, squeeze out all the liquid (use a cheese cloth)! They will be perfect!

Sufganiyot

As much as I love a latke, after all their salty goodness you do need something sweet. And that is where sufganiyot comes in to play. These sweet donuts filled with jelly are the perfect way to end a holiday celebration. And while you can always grab some jelly donuts from the local store, here is a quick and easy recipe if you want to make them at home. Seriously, four ingredients (if you count the oil and powdered sugar). Click the link and check it out. There’s nothing better than a warm sufganiyot!

Gelt

And then, there is gelt. It’s not really “food”, it’s more of a treat! You should absolutely have some (or lots) on had throughout the holiday. Hanukkah gelt is a tradition, and chocolate gelt is the perfect little treat. Truth be told, much of the chocolate gelt (those foil-covered candy coins) you can buy from local retailers may contain peanuts and tree nuts. If you have a child with an allergy, please read the labels carefully. If you want to order nut free gelt, click here. Don’t forget to double check the ingredients when they arrive; you can never be too careful!

Play Games

Holiday games are always fun, and dreidel is always a crowd favorite. Each of the letters on the side of the dreidel corresponds to a specific action in the game. Click here for a complete description of the game and its rules. Before you sit down to play, make sure you have a bowl of pennies, gelt or candy, as the game resolves around a “pot” of goodies which each player has the opportunity to win.

Do you know what the letters on the dreidel mean? They are Nun, Gimmel, Hay, and Shin, which stands for Nais Gadol Hayah Shahm. Translated, that means “a great miracle happened there”. Pretty special, isn’t it?

Light the Menorah

Make the candle lighting special each night. Perhaps everyone in the house has their own Menorah (what a great idea for a first night of Hanukkah gift – here is great website for children’s style ones).

Or, if you have a family menorah, everyone can take a turn lighting the candles (of course, little ones, with help).

Say the prayer together, each night. I bet by night eight EVERYONE in the family knows it!

Incorporate Tzedakah

Tzedakah, to Jewish people is more than charity, it is an obligation to give. Our community is especially fortunate; and we should incorporate giving into our celebration, especially because so many others are truly in need. Talk to your family and determine how you can incorporate tzedakah together. You can “adopt” a child for the holiday and fulfill there wishlist, you can volunteer at any number of places, you can donate to Toys for Tots, you can make a financial contribution to an organization whose mission and goals resonates with your family. I encourage you to discuss this with your children; even those who are young can appreciate and participate helping someone in need.

Celebrate Hanukkah for Kids

Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! I cannot say it enough. Embrace the opportunity to share the holiday with your young children; believe me, they will be grown before you know it! Holidays through the eyes of a child take on a whole new meaning. Take a visual picture (and a cell phone one too) of their expressions of joy and wonder. Share in their enjoyment. Participate wholeheartedly and in a hands on manner. Put your phones away and enjoy one of the most special times of the year.

From my family to yours, Happy Hanukkah! I can’t wait to hear about your celebrations!

Looking for more information on edjewcation station, Shema Koleinu or Cantor Debbi Ballard? Click the links displayed. I would love to welcome you into my community and share with you all that we do.

Begin Your Spiritual Journey Through Personalized Jewish Education Programs Across South Florida

Just what you were looking for — Small groups and personal attention in an inviting, educational setting. Make Jewish learning fun and rewarding for your child and family! No synagogue membership required. Convenient and affordable. Want to join us? Find out how you can get on the bus! Click here to request more information.

Interested in registering for the Fall session? Complete the form below.

A Message from Cantor Debbi Ballard

I can’t believe it’s time to send out enrollment forms for another fun & exciting year of Edjewcation Station™! To think it was 9 years ago this year that I began with my very first group – 5 4^th & 5^th graders, at the Schecter family’s dining room table. Back then, my B-Mitzvah families wanted a program for their younger children that could keep their families engaged and “Jewishly educated”, while the older children were working towards their B-Mitzvah.

Like today, those were very busy families. They wanted Jewish experience and education, but they didn’t want to spend 6 hours a week committed to classroom experiences that were, well….less than rewarding.

Those families wanted something – more personal, more accessible. They wanted it to feel better, all the way around. They wanted their children to come home feeling happy about being Jewish, and knowing that being Jewish was a privilege, as well as an obligation.

We’re still doing that today. With a much smaller “footprint” of time on your week, and WAY less of an investment, our students leave class with smiles on their faces, and they can’t WAIT to come back – in 2 weeks. Many wish it was sooner!

But that’s the secret to success at Edjewcation Station. We have fun. We leave them wanting “more”! With a commitment to a core curriculum of Jewish holidays, Food & Culture, Mitzvot & Ethics, Prayer, and Building a Relationship with God, we cover all the bases in just less than 1.5 hours every other week.

Interested? Click here to request more information.

How Is Edjewcation Station Different?

• Smaller, more personalized classes

• Curriculum that presents on their level

• Patient teachers that truly listen to your children

• Respectful for all belief systems, including “questioning” children

• Fun, effective teaching methods

• And let’s not forget – 5 cooking classes each year! (we love latkes!)

We are just getting started with registration for another year, and classes are open in Davie, Boca, and Wellington. We can’t wait to have you!

For more information, call Cantor Debbi Ballard at (954) 646-1326 or email debbi@mypersonalcantor.com

Interested? Click here to request more information.

About Edjewcation Station

Founded by Cantor Debbi Ballard, founder of My Personal Cantor and Shema Koleinu, Cantor Debbi saw firsthand how today’s students were over committed, stressed, and had no time or inclination to embrace their 4 hour per week Jewish education program. Similarly, today’s Jewish parents want more value from their Jewish affiliation, more personalized options, and creativity and passion behind their family’s Jewish connection.

In 2008, Cantor Debbi began teaching her first class of 5^th graders. Five students gathered twice a month, to learn about being Jewish, in a very hands-on, engaging environment. We would focus on Jewish culture, foods, holidays, Torah, prayer, G-d, Mitzvoth/Ethics and Tikkun Olam. Word quickly spread, and in five short years, Cantor Debbi now has over 120 students in classes all over South Florida!

That led her to a challenging situation. How do you serve 120 students, in four major South Florida cities? Unable to utilize a single-location solution, the idea of a mobile classroom was born.

Today, Edjewcation Station has become a reality! A classroom installed in a remodeled city bus, and designed to hold 10-14 students and a teacher, we now have the world’s FIRST EVER Jewish mobile classroom!

Edjewcation Station® will serve unaffiliated populations across South Florida, with many engaging, exciting programs. We will not only serve as a “totally cool Hebrew School”, but we will hold adult education programs, conversion classes, Intro to Judaism programs, book study, and any other programs our community desires.

Why don’t you come along – and get on the bus? Jewish education should be fun, and we firmly believe that we are taking the driver’s seat for the future of Jewish education!

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