Cynthia H. Roberts
BOOTH (SUCCAH) is a festival of thanksgiving which begins five days after Yom Kippur. In celebration of this light day festival, many Jewish families build gazebos out of branches and leaves and decorate them with fruits and flowers. Many Israeli families sleep in the Succah and even eat their meals there during the celebration.
CHAD GADYA MOBILE (HA-GOD-YA)
Chad Gadya (an only kid) is a folksong traditionally sung during passover. It tells the story of a man who brought a goat for two Hebrew coins.
DREIDLE
Chanukah (or Hanullah) is a well-known Jewish holiday during which the dreidle game is played. Four Hebrew letters are placed on the four sides of a spinning top: Nun, grimmel, hey and shin. These are represented by symbols. These symbols stand for the words: Nes, Gadol, Haya, and Sham respectively which may be translated to mean; “A great miracle happened there”.
KITE
Some friends of ours, who grew up on a Kibbutz near the Negev, taught us to make kites similar to those that they had made as children. These kites bear the national emblem of the six pointed star.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MADE UP OF PLANTS
The Kibbutz council for musical education in Israel has edited a book by Tamar Yardeni-Yaffe which illustrated the possiblities of making instruments from plants. Tamar suggests that the child has entered a secret world of creation when he is allowed to create musically.
PURIM PUPPETS
Purim, or the festival of lots, is created by Jews throughout the world. It is a joyous springtime celebration that is looked forward by the children of Jewish families with as much excitement as Christian children await Christmas or as the Hindu child would await Holi. This holiday is held to honor Queen Esther and Mordecai (Esther’s cousin), who together saved the Jews from the wicked Haman of Persia.
STITCHERY
Although Israel is near Asia, the Israeli way of life is far more like life in the United States. In school and at home children are encouraged to use their time wisely and doing stitchery is one enjoyable past time.
COOKING OF ISRAEL/RECIPES
Bagel cookies (Ka’Achei SumSukm) Bagels are a traditional food eaten by Jews throughout the world. These bagels are usually eaten for Sabbath breakfast, with coffee by Syrian Jews in Israel.
CHALLAH BREAD (Brauded Bread) Challah is the traditional twisted bread always served on the Sabbath. An old tradition that goes back to the time when loaves were carried as a tribute to the priests in temple in Jerusalem, is that the person baking the bread breaks off a bit of dough and throws it in the fire while saying a prayer for their home and for peace for the world.
FALAFEL
Falafel is as common in Israel as the hot dog is in the United States. It is sold on many street corners throughout the country. It consists of chik-pea balls served in pita bread with lettuce, tomato and a sauce.
There are many varieties of Latkes made in different countries, also there are many varieties enjoyed during the Chanukah season, The batter is especially delicate, similiar to a Japanese tempura, and the fruit may be any kind that is in season.
HAMANTASCHEN
Hamantaschen are triangularly shaped, filled cookies that are traditionally served at the feast of Purim. Purim is a spring holiday celebrating the freeing of ancient Jews from the Persian Prime minister Haman, who was going to have them killed.
HONEY CLUSTERS
The people of Israel come from many other lands yet all celebrate their New Year by eating foods that are cooked with honey. Pita bread is a flat bread used extensively in Middle Eastern cooking It is frequently filled with various stuffings and eaten like a sandwich.