Spirituality
HOLIDAY
Above: Al Pearlstein and son, Joey, 9, of Commerce, light
the menorah. Right: Rabbi Schneor Greenberg holds his
son Leibel, as mother, Estie, looks on. Sister, Mussi, 8, and
brother, Mendel, 7, snip a piece of Leibel's hair.
'the Fun
A single celebration includes both latkes and a haircut.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
W
hen you're born on Chanukah, you get used to
sharing your birthday with a holiday. But for
Leibel Greenberg of Commerce, turning 3 didn't
just bring a two-in-one celebration. It brought a magical
one, including both a Chanukah magic show and Leibel's
upsheerin (the traditional ritual of a 3-year-old boy's first
haircut).
The Dec. 11 celebration was organized by his parents,
Rabbi Schneor and Estie Greenberg of the Chabad Jewish
Center of Commerce.
"He was born on the last day of Chanukah, so we decided
to combine our annual Chanukah celebration for the com-
munity with this special occasion;' said Estie Greenberg.
"The theme was Chanukah Magic, which included a
magic show by Howard Faber, and Leibel being 'magically
transformed' to a big boy with a haircut and wearing yar-
On Gossip
The Torah forbids us to listen to gos-
sip even if we do not believe what is
spoken.
Presented by Lubavitch Women's
Organization. For information on keeping
kosher or lighting Shabbat candles, contact
Miriam Amzalak, (248) 548-6771, amzalak@
yeshivanet.com .
At a hachnasah licheder ceremony, the day
after his upsheerin, Leibel was carried into
the school he will be attending to learn the
alef bet. The letters he learns are covered
in honey, which he licks, teaching that the
mulke and tzitzit."
Guests participated in lighting the menorah, singing Chanukah
songs — played on the accordion by Jacob Davidovich of Walled
Lake — and a dinner of latkes, donuts and Chanukah cookies.
Then the upsheerin ceremony began. "Children recited Torah
verses and the alef bet',' Greenberg said. "Everyone got to snip a
piece of Leibel's hair to take part in this mitzvah of leaving peyot
(side curls).
"The Jewish community in Commerce and Walled Lake has
become like our extended family since we began the Chabad Jewish
Center of Commerce five years ago',' she said. "We are glad we could
share this special occasion with our community, many of whom
never partook in this custom before. That is what we are all about,
sharing and bringing the joys of Judiasm to every Jew.'
words of the Torah are sweet.
Light The Lights
It has become an annual tradition: lighting the
menorah in Shain Park in Birmingham to corn-
memorate the first night of Chanukah. The
event was sponsored by the family of Alan
and Lori Zekelman of Birmingham. The first
candle was sponsored by Jack and Claire Baum
of Birmingham. Rabbi Boruch Cohen of the
Birmingham - Bloomfield Chai Center gave welcom-
ing remarks. Also present were local dignitaries,
members and friends of the Chai Center. Shown
are Jack Baum lighting the first candle. Looking
on are Rabbi Cohen, Ami Ram of Beverly Hills and
Claire Baum, all from the Birmingham-Bloomfield
Chai Center.
December 27 2007
A23