Happy Chanukah!

The Magic Candles

by Anna Propp, age 11

One Chanukah night, after my family and I lit the candles, the smoke of the candles started to bother me. My name is Yael. I have a sister, Rachel. We were playing dreidel when all of a sudden the room started to glow. We looked at each other and then slowly walked around the room. Suddenly, I heard a voice near my ear. I called my sister over to me. When Rachel came over, I told her about the voice that I had heard. Then we looked at the candles. We saw the shamash for my menorah. It seemed to be glowing brighter than all the other candles.

The shamash said, 'Hello!' We did not know what to say. 'What are your names?' He questioned.

Rachel asked, 'Did you hear what I heard?'

'Yes' I said.

After I told him our names, he told us his name was David. He told us the story of Chanukah. Then my friend Anna came over and the four of us played dreidel. Well, we played until Mac, the dreidel, got dizzy, but that's a whole other story!

- originally published in the Holiday 1994 issue of ZuZu

My Family Chanukah Party

by Sarah Edelsburg, age 10

Every year, my mom, dad, brother and I have a big party in the middle of Chanukah. But this is not an ordinary party. It's a Chanukah party with Chanukah decorations, latkes, jelly donuts and presents for everyone. We only invite relatives. This party is so much fun!! It's usually at night. I get to make the invitations by hand. That's a lot of fun too. Two hours before the party will start, my mom starts setting up. We usually buy Chanukah tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and signs. My Mom pulls out the table so there is more space to put the food. The food is set up like a buffet. You're supposed to take what you want to eat. Mom puts the tablecloth on and starts taking out plates, cups, silverware and napkins. While whe does that, my brother and I get dressed for the party. When we come out there are more chairs in the living room and little bowls with potato chips, M & M's, and nuts in them. The decorations are up. Our cameras are out. Soon the guest will arrive.

The guest arrive!!! The party starts. First we light the menorah as everyone gathers around and we sing a Chanukah song or two with everybody. Then mom takes out the food. Everyone piles around the table to get food. We all sit together talking as we eat. We all walk around and talk to every single person. I usually have so much to say. We eat for a long time. Many get up for seconds of latkes and apple sauce. After that mom brings out a delicious chocolate cake. It always tastes great!! After that we open presents. Everyone gives something to each other. My brother and I usually make our presents by hand. There would always be a smile on everybody's face because we all give great presents. After tht we eat some more dessert and everybody for while looks at their gifts. My brother and I start playing with our presents. Soon people have to leave Soon everyone is gone. We pile all our presents in our rooms, then we quickly go to bed. My Chanukah party is my favorite party of the year. It's so much fun!!!

- originally submitted for the Holiday 1994 issue of ZuZu

Happy Chanukah!

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