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