Rabbi Daniel, Elana, Jenna, Avi and Micah Schwartz
HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY CELEBRATE CHANUKAH?
We try to gather with family on as many of the eight nights of Chanukah as we can. We will light the candles together, say the blessings and then enjoy some of the traditionally oily foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts). Elana is an award-winning latke maker. She entered a competition a few years ago with Jewish Senior Life in West Bloomfield, using a recipe from her sister-in-law that had feta and artichoke in it. We always try experimenting with new recipes and bring back the traditional recipes, too. Our kids receive presents– some nights, toys, and other nights, more practical items like clothes. We also celebrate with our Temple family.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING MOST FORWARD TO ABOUT THE HOLIDAY THIS YEAR?
This year, in addition to our annual traditions, we are looking forward to being able to be in-person with family again. Because of COVID, we haven’t been able to be with some of them in a long time. So, it is exciting to have family coming in from out of town– we can’t wait to see them and celebrate together.
HOW DO YOUR KIDS TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATIONS?
In our house, they each get to kindle their own chanukiyah (the special nine-branched candelabra), sing the blessings/song and help cook. They love helping in the kitchen, making some of the traditional Chanukah foods, and it’s always exciting to see what “secret” ingredient they want to put in the latke batter, and when we let them, to see if those eating them can identify what it is. The kids enjoy choosing gifts to give to each other, too. But their favorite part of the holiday is the receiving of gifts.