The Holiday’
s Heroes 

What makes someone a hero? The Maccabees are the heroes of 
this holiday’s story. Determined to maintain their religious freedom 
when King Antiochus told them they couldn’t practice Judaism and 
desecrated their Holy Temple, the Maccabees triumphed over a 
much larger army of Greeks and reclaimed this holy space. They 
were proud of who they were and what defined their uniqueness: 
Shabbat, holidays and learning Torah. They worked together 
toward a common goal and stood up for their right to be unique. 
Who are your heroes? Who are modern-day Maccabees and why?

Happy Chanukah
Happy Chanukah

Here come eight nights of tradition, family and friends, 
Here come eight nights of tradition, family and friends, 

and fun. How do you celebrate?
and fun. How do you celebrate?

Lilly Kessler, Zoe and Max Monson, Maya Kessler and Leo 
Kessler, all of Huntington Woods. 

A FAMILY CHANUKAH TRADITION: 
Every Chanukah Max and Zoe Monson have 
a chanukah party at their Bubbie’s house with 
their cousins. The cousins all get matching paja-
mas, which they wear for the rest of the night.

Zoe, 10
“I like the food and I like hang-
ing out with my family, maybe 
playing a game or watching a 
movie. After dinner, they bring 
up a present for each of us 
from our basement and we 
open it. We play with it for a lit-
tle bit before we go to bed.” 

Favorite Chanukah song: 
The dreidel song
Favorite latke topping: Ketchup
Recommended Chanukah read: Latke the Lucky Dog 
Fun fact about Zoe: She was born on Chanukah, though 
this year her birthday does not fall during the holiday. 

Max, 7
“I like the presents! Getting 
presents and also giving presents. 
I like that we all open them at the 
exact same time.” 
Favorite latke topping: None! I 
like them plain.
Favorite Chanukah food: 
Sufganiyot 
Likes: Lighting the menorah 

Z

o

e

 

M

o

n

s

o

n

M

a

x

 

M

o

n

s

o

n

Now for a Few 
Chanukah Jokes…

How much Chanukah gelt 
did the skunk get? 
One cent.
Why was the broom late to 
the Chanukah party? 
It over-swept.
How many potatoes does it take 
to make potato pancakes? 
A latke.

Special thanks to Jodi Gross, Director of Adult Learning and Youth Engagement, Adat Shalom 
Synagogue, for her insights into Chanukah and the activities.
38 | DECEMBER 15 • 2022