Hanukah Happenings pt. 2

The Hanukah fun didn't stop with Saturday. This past Sunday I hopped on a train to Bielefeld, a smaller city on the way to Duisburg from Berlin to continue the celebrations.

Night 5:

In Bielefeld JDC participated in the community's Hanukah event by working with local madrichim ( teen mentors) to put on a Hanukah program for kids. The theme for this event was dreidels; we learned the rules of the game passed out gelt and even made paper spinning dreidels.

Night 6:

After making it safely to Duisburg, my boss Tanya planned a really great Hanukah celebration and I got to know a few more of the local community members. Alex (her son) and I had a great time listening to hipster Hanukah music (yes this is a real spottify channel), and baking cookies that were a little prettier to look at than to eat.

Night 7:

It was due time for some cross cultural exploration and so I decided to spend some time at the Christmas Markets in Dusseldorf. These markets are a staple all over Germany with lots of gluewein (mulled wine), reibekuchen (latkes) and lebkuchen (gingerbread men) for sale. It's so fun to walk around the cutely lit city blocks. Plus its a wonderful way to get through the already freezing (literally not in San Diegan terms) winter.

During the day I planned a Hanukah activity for the children in the local Jewish kindergarten. I figured as long as I was armed with crafts I could overcome the language barrier. Borrowing the idea from an event we did at Bambinim in Berlin the kids all worked together to make a Menorah out of salt dough. I was so glad that I got to plan the event from start to finish and it was exciting having the kids ask to make a second one!

Night 8:

Sadly the last night came so quickly! Luckily a friend threw a warm and welcoming Housewarming Hanukah party in Dusseldorf. Even though I'm sad Denise moved a little further away the evening was so great! The party marked my last latke (or three) of the Hanukah season and a bag full of much better Hanukah cookies then I could make.

Guess this is the official end to a great 8 days and nights of Hanukah!

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