Manischewitz Chanukah House Means There’s a Holiday Cottage for Jewish Children

Dec 6, 2020 by Susan Rosenbluth

By Susan L. Rosenbluth

For decades, many secular-Jewish publications have devoted precious space to what they euphemistically call “the December dilemma,” the question of what American-Jewish parents should do about December 25^th in a country in which the Christian holiday is revered and celebrated not only in churches, but in marketplaces, offices, lobbies, and often on every street corner in town. One of the blessings of being part of the observant community is that because the family has so many amazing holidays to celebrate—including the one which comes every Friday night at sundown and lasts twenty-five blessed hours until three stars are spotted Saturday night—it is hard to begrudge our neighbors the delights of theirs.

It has often been said that a child who decorates a sukkah in the fall will not in the least envy a friend who is trimming a tree in December.

Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to understand why, in the past at least, some Jewish parents have had trouble with symbols which, in and of themselves, had nothing to do with any holiday, but which nonetheless seemed to be emblematic of “the December dilemma.”

Chanukah House Advertising Kit

Disney Chanukiah

Take for example a Chanukah menorah that appeared a few years ago whose manufacturer managed to get permission to feature some of the Disney company’s best-loved cartoon characters. There they were, Mickey, Goofy, and Donald, spinning dreidels while sitting in front of a roaring brick fireplace. More than one Jewish parent pointed out that the original image must have included the characters with their stockings hung on the mantle and not a dreidel in sight. Since that particular menorah seems to have disappeared from Judaica shop shelves, it is fair to assume it was not a big hit in Jewish homes.

But surely it cannot be that just because fireplaces figure so prominently in Christmas lore that Jewish families should forego the wonderful winter experience of sitting around a hearth, watching as flames flicker and cast a glow on our children’s faces.

Similarly, while gingerbread houses have made their way from the Hansel and Gretel fairytale to the tables of Christian families celebrating their holiday, that cannot mean that Jewish families must go without them.

Holiday Cottage of Our Own

The Manischewitz company certainly doesn’t think so. This year, they have come up with a certified kosher do-it-yourself Chanukah House that comes complete with everything needed to build, personalize, and decorate a holiday cottage, including sanding sugar, icing, pre-baked cookies, and an adorable candy menorah. The kit comes with step-by-step instructions, but the blue-and-white sprinkles and Stars of David let the builders be as creative as they please.

Included in the box is a PJ Library offer which comes with the promise of a free storybook.

A week before Chanukah, two lovely sisters in Teaneck lent their hands to the project. For seven-year-old Frieda, it was a treat to have her big sister, 21-year-old Chana, work with her to create what will hopefully be a table centerpiece, at least until their two brothers, 15-year-old Yitzi and 13-year-old Moshe, decide it might be more fun just to eat it.

The Chanukah House Cookie Decorating Kit is widely available now from various retailers, including grocery stores, and online at Amazon.