F5: Chanukah

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The Story

There are many ways to tell a good story:

- Tell it like it is. Understand the background and you'll be able to tell it better. Only if the story interests and excites you will you be able to interest and excite them.

- Make a taped version of the story in an on-the-spot reporter style. The voice gives updates of the situation as if it just happened. e.g. "This is Sue Levi, reporting live from Modin, where just 15min. ago, Matityahu the Priest made history. We will bring you eye witness accounts and in-depth reporting, LIVE" Be as overly dramatic as possible!

- As a play; live or on a tape. The advantage of a taped version is that you can do it a few times before it's recorded. Get good acting voices to do it.

- As a series of questions which bring out this famous story. The basic questions about this are: When did it all happen? Where? Who were the bad guys? (Syrians, not Greeks!) Who were the good guys? (Maccabees and some Jews, not the Hellenised ones) What was the problem? (Greek culture imposed by the Syrian king Antiochus IV) How did it all end? (short term and long term) What was the miracle? (Maccabees winning or the oil?)

Celebrating Chanukah

Why is celebration concentrated on the miracle of the oil and not the battle? Because the underlying reason for the fight was being able to live freely as Jews.

- Do a shout-out-brainstorm of things associated with Chanukah and write them on the board. Explain how these things teach us the message of Chanukah.

Culture War + Athens vs. Jerusalem

- Hand out a photocopy of Churchill's words or write them up on the board. Ask what he means. What contributions? Why does he use the two capital cities to define the two cultures?

- Quiz on Modern culture vs. Jewish culture. See which one they know more about. e.g: Name five Hollywood directors and five Israeli politicians. Or: Explain what's going on in three current TV soaps and explain three Bible stories. Now ask: So how influenced are we by our surrounding culture? Which do we know better?

- Talk about attending a mainstream school. They will ALL have opinions on this. Does it effect their Judaism negatively or positively. Maybe have a debate about it. Is Jewish identity strengthened or weakened? Being surrounded by non-Jews are you more embarrassed or more proud to be a Jew? Should you wear a kippah or star of David necklace in school or not? Should all Jews go to Jewish schools in an ideal world? There are important and very relevant points to be made on both sides. Chanukah is the festival that recalls and addresses these vital issues. Where do you stand?

- Debate: "This house believes "Chanukah bushes" should be promoted as an ideal example of the integration of Jews into the wider society." You can have a lot of fun with this one!

The West and the Jew

Presenting the comparisons:

(i) Perform a playlet where a Beautician and a Mohel (licensed Jewish circumcisor) try and explain to each other the importance of what they do. She talks about enriching pores with facials and he talks about continuing a 3500 year old tradition. Play for laughs...

(ii) Again, maybe do a playlet. A young career centred, power hungry business executive is stuck in a lift for two hours with an old Rabbi. One is flustered while one grins calmly. They get talking about what they have to do today: close a futures amalgamation business deal or visit three sick people in a hospital. This is very stylised but it gets the message across. Maybe get two people from the audience to come out and do the play on the spot. Only choose people who you think could do it and won't be embarrassed. Discuss the issues raised.

(iii) Moral dilemmas discussion: On what basis do we make important moral decisions and opinions? Who do we ask for help or confide in? Is it: parents, teacher, school counsellor, Rabbi, school chaplain or local politician. Do we consult Jewish or secular books? Where do we really get our values from? Cinema, TV, magazines and radio phone-ins or cheder, synagogue, Jewish camps and parental guidance?

Precious lights

Talk about this as a conclusion to your programme. Compare the huge, proud Olympic torch with the little Chanukah lights. Jewish glory and honour is seen in the heroic struggle of a terminally ill patient, in the emotionally challenging work of social work or in the effort a Jew makes to learn more even though it's difficult.

Technology vs. Nature

- Food origins quiz: where does sugar come from? Ever been to an abattoir? Do you cook? Discuss how we are less aware of what we eat and where it comes from. How does this affect us? How does Judaism try to make us more sensitive?

- Groovy household appliances games! Brainstorm all the appliances they own. Pre-record ten appliance noises and challenge your audience to guess what they are. How come we know them so well?! Do we rely on them too much? Are they more important to us than, say, Jewish items. e.g. Mezuzah, Tefillin, Shabbat candles, Chanukiyah etc...

Stop Jewish education!

Informal chat: Is school about education or dedication? Do teachers teach you facts and ideas or values and morals? Maybe interview the Headmistress/master in preparation for this programme. (Go on!) Ask them well in advance. They are probably willing to give a few minutes of their time. The audience will be interested in what their Head thinks, so find out!

- How good is your good education? How would you improve it? Tell your audience that you really will pass on their comments to the "powers that be" Send them to JAMS and we'll pass them on and try and get a response.

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