36 | DECEMBER 22 • 2022 

CHANUKAH

I

n March 1989, an Exxon oil tanker 
spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the 
ocean, killing thousands of fish, birds 
and marine wildlife. As the devastation of 
one of the largest environmental disasters 
in U.S. history was broad-
cast around the world, one 
particular news report left a 
lasting impact on an Oak Park 
woman — but not in the way 
we might think.
“It was so heart wrenchingly 
sad … I remember watching 

how they cleaned the poor animals to get 
the oil off them with Dawn dish soap,
” said 
Chani Rosenberg. “That always stuck with 
me — that’s when I learned that Dawn dish 
soap will get oil off anything.
”
With Chanukah here, Jews around the 
world have taken out their dusty menorahs 
and grumpily wonder why they’re so sticky 
and oily when they’
d washed them so care-
fully before putting them away at the end 
of the holiday last year. Rosenberg is happy 
to help with those menorahs — or with any 
silver or silver-plated items. 

“I’ve always loved polishing silver,
” said 
Rosenberg, who has lived in Michigan 
all her life. Together with her husband of 
29 years, Yaakov, she’s a member of Toras 
Chaim in Oak Park. “My sister-in-law even 
said she remembered that I was polishing 
silver when she met me for the first time!”
Since she was in her 20s, Rosenberg 
always offered to polish her relatives’ and 
friends’ Shabbat candlesticks. Earlier this 
year, a friend suggested she start doing it as 
a business. 
“It was just a hobby until then; I figured if 

Business owner can make your menorah shine.

Chani 
Rosenberg

ROCHEL BURSTYN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Silver Polished with TLC

Before and after 
polishing for a 
menorah and Torah 
crown, breastplate 
and pointer

