Many a Jewish parent has struggled to find a theme that would unite eight separate gifts over eight nights. Of course, Chanukah itself is a great theme, and what kid isn’t delighted with shiny gelt, brand-new dreidels and some spinning instructions from a patient adult?
Dayenu in San Francisco has dreidels that spin, dreidels that walk, dreidels that children can build, and a few dreidels that are just plain beautiful. An inflatable 7-foot dreidel ($136) is even suitable for the front lawn. (The 2-foot version is also available for more modest decorators, $5). For mastering spinning skills, there’s the Dreidel Roulette Game ($20). Kids spin the dreidel, which knocks roulette balls into holes. The longer and faster the spin, the more points earned.
The Congregation Rodef Sholom Sisterhood Gift Shop in San Rafael offers the Lite-Up and Singing Dreidel, which plays “I Have a Little Dreidel” and flashes neon when spun. The gift shop also carries Red Dreidel, Blue Dreidel ($12.95, by Jewish Educational Toys), a lotto game for ages 2 to 7 that involves matching colors on a set of dreidel cards, with instructions in English, French and Yiddish.
Alef Bet Judaica in Los Gatos represents more than 45 Israeli artists and a variety of handcrafted items. The Modular Menorah Game is a new offering by artist Itai Magar. “It’s a chanukiah, a dreidel and a game all in one,” says owner Nurit Sabadosh, who has a good selection of chanukiahs in her store.
For an heirloom-quality gift, award-winning Judaica artist Joy Stember has made a gorgeous dreidel from lead-free pewter and brass. It’s available at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco for $225.
If the Festival of Lights theme doesn’t suffice for eight straight nights, the Hanukkah Surprises Gift Box should do the trick. Eight sturdy cardboard boxes with hand-drawn illustrations and containing a child’s gift can be opened each night. No wrapping is required, and the beautiful packaging doubles as home décor. It’s $39.95 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Likewise, the Hebrew Name Necklace Kit, available at Afikomen Judaica in Berkeley, is another gift to string along for eight nights. Individual Hebrew letters are sold separately from the starter pack of spacer and decorative beads. At around $10, it’s an affordable gift appropriate for kids ages 7 to 15.
Of course, some of the best gifts are free. Parents and relatives can sign up kids ages 6 months to 7 years for the PJ Library’s free book service. Each child in the family will receive an age-appropriate Jewish-themed book every month. The program is sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Springfield, Mass. in partnership with the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. Sign-up is always available at www.pjlibrary.org. Contact Vivien Braly, program coordinator for the PJ Library, at [email protected] or (415) 499-1223 ext. 8106.
Chanukah is also an important time to teach children about tzedakah and bring joy to those in need. The family can fulfill a holiday mitzvah by volunteering with Jewish Family and Children’s Services. School-age children and their parents are invited to a festive Shabbat program where they can assemble holiday baskets for seniors, people with AIDS and disabilities, families in need and new émigrés, from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at JFCS, 2150 Post St., S.F. Register by contacting Lori Lievore at (415) 449-3832 or [email protected].