Lessons of Hanukkah learned early

Jewish preschoolers get into spirit of holiday - and take their families along

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 15, 2006 at midnight

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Jerry Meltzer was here, he was there, he was getting photos everywhere. And each time, his camera was pointed toward the Temple Sinai stage where his 3-year-old grandson, Jonathan Sagel, was singing up a Hanukkah storm.

"We never did programs like this," chuckled Meltzer, 69, a retired physician, afterward. "Everything was done at home - there wasn't a preschool religious school."

These days, more and more kids are deepening their Jewish identity not just at home or in synagogue, but in early education programs. For the 625 youngsters enrolled at Temple Sinai, this week's lesson was all about the reason behind the eight days of Hanukkah, which begins tonight at sundown.

In two waves, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the preschoolers held programs celebrating the central meaning of Hanukkah, which commemorates an event 2,165 years ago when the Jews, led by the tribe of Maccabees, reclaimed the Jerusalem temple from their Greco-Syrian enemies.

It's also called the Festival of Lights in honor of the last smidgen of oil that, miraculously, kept the restored temple lit for eight days.

As parents watched, the children sang songs touting the miracle of the oil and the theme of victory over one's enemies: "Hanukkah means freedom," sang the 4-year-olds.

"I'm a little latke," warbled the 2-year-olds, conjuring up the image of potato latkes, the fried-in-oil Hanukkah staple.

"I've worked in a synagogue for 12 years, and even working in a synagogue is nothing to being able to bring a child to Jewish preschool," says Amy Becker, director of Temple Sinai's preschool program. "It begins a lifelong religious journey for the entire family."

Childhood learning is considered so important that it's sparked the first-ever Summit on Jewish Early Childhood Education in Denver on Jan. 11.

Educators, civic leaders and national experts will gather to discuss plans for enhancing the existing programs in Denver and Boulder. Currently, there are 10 early education facilities in the area serving roughly 1,200 children.

"Early childhood education has a profound impact in strengthening Jewish identity, both for the children and the parents," said Doug Seserman, president and CEO of the Allied Jewish Federation, one of the summit's sponsors.

When Josh and Mary Sarah Omer, both 37, moved to Denver just over a year ago from Kansas City, finding the right synagogue was important - not just for them but for their son, also named Josh, now 3 1/2.

Trying to find her way around the city in a blizzard, Mary Sarah bumped into Temple Sinai and was energized by its welcoming atmosphere and variety of programs, including preschool.

Committed to family - "I even switched jobs so I could have more time at home," said Josh Omer, a sales representative - he turned out with Mary Sarah for little Josh's debut.

"He spotted us and waved and smiled. It was perfect," said Mary Sarah.

Later, under the eyes of teacher Susan Reisner, Josh and the other kids learned the eight-day ritual of lighting the menorah, safely done with Popsicle sticks.

The Omers also appreciate how Temple Sinai tackles the challenging "December difficulty" that comes with Hanukkah: the annual question of how to balance Jewish religious traditions with the Christian observance of Christmas and the secular pull of materialism.

Temple Sinai's approach is summed up in an article written by Assistant Rabbi Alan Cook in the synagogue's monthly magazine.

"We can try to avoid it. We can try to teach our children about the heroics of the Maccabees . . . celebrate the so-called miracle of the oil . . . and how one tiny light can work to dispel darkness and gloom," Cook wrote. "But often the focus snaps back to one subject: toys."

For parents who follow the tradition of giving their children a small present on each of Hanukkah's eight days, Cook suggests drawing life lessons from the gifts.

For example, he wrote, parents who give a Tickle Me Elmo Extreme toy could highlight the need for shared family laughter, and a digital camera can be seen as a way to treasure family memories.

"I think there's a careful balance at stake," Cook says.

Mary Sarah Omer appreciates the lesson.

"Temple Sinai does a wonderful job of promoting inclusion for everyone," she said. "It's everybody's special time, and everybody gets excited over it. That's what we want for Joshie- to respect everything."

torkelsonj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5055

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