Winter HOLIDAY Magazine Inside: ONLINE JUDAICA STORES, PAGE 7 TOP 10 THINGS TO DO, PAGE 12 HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING, PAGE 18 STUDENT TRIPS, PAGE 20 BEING A SNOWBIRD, PAGE 23 HOT PAST GIFTS, PAGE 27 CHANUKAH READING, PAGE 33 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 HAPPY CHANUKAH LATKE WAFFLES WITH SMOKED SALMON GiantFoodStores.com/savory Stop by a near you and let the celebration begin! 2 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM NO PRESSURE, NO HYPE Specializing Specializing in in New New and Pre-Owned Cars, Service, Parts, Parts, and and Collision Collison Repair, Service, Repair, since 1957. The 2018 Volvo S90 Celebrating our Years! Celebrating our Anniversary...60 60th year in Business Berwyn Doylestown 497 E. Lancaster Ave. 610.647.1800 BerwynVolvo.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 235 S. Main St. 215.348.9438 DoylestownVolvo.com WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 3 Surviving Cancer in Style IN THIS ISSUE 7 12 Online Judaica Websites Let Your Fingers Do the Shopping Top 10 Things to Do in Philadelphia This Winter Jude Plum with Kristin D., shown wearing her wig 18 Natural European hair wigs and hairpieces for men, women, and children with all types of hair loss “The anxiety surrounding losing my hair was put to rest when I saw what a natural look and feel the wigs at Jude Plum have. The staff helped me feel extremely reassured and comfortable during this difficult period. I would recommend Jude Plum to anyone in need of an understanding, experienced, and compassionate environment!” 610.527.1770 821 W. Lancaster Avenue • Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 4 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 20 23 27 33 Make Holiday Entertaining a Breeze with These Tips Winter Break Trip Opportunities For College Students Multiply What Keeps Sun-Hungry Snowbirds Flocking Back to Florida Each Year? Gifts of Holidays Past: Where Are They Now? By Transmitting Values, Children’s Books Are The Chanukah Gifts That Keep Giving WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 33673_exponent_gift_guide_75x10_no_crops_final.pdf 1 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 11/13/17 2:57 PM 5 PASHA 4.9167 IN 4.75 IN 00076082 2100 ARCH STREET | PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 215-832-0700 PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVE/ GENERAL MANAGER STEVEN ROSENBERG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOSHUA RUNYAN MANAGING EDITOR ANDY GOTLIEB SENIOR STAFF WRITER LIZ SPIKOL STAFF WRITERS RACHEL KURLAND MARISSA STERN SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOIM PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JENI MANN ART/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR JOE MAC LEOD GRAPHIC DESIGNER STEVE BURKE CAT CARTER DIRECTOR OF SALES SHARON SCHMUCKLER SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE WARTELL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN BARON WILLIAM JOHNSON TAYLOR ORLIN CLASSIFIED SALES NICOLE MCNALLY JILL RAFF DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS CHERYL LUTTS FINANCE ASSISTANT MARIE MALVOSO SUBSCRIPTIONS JUNE HAMILTON 8 6 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Online JUDAICA Websites Let Your Fingers Do the Shopping Appraisals • Restyling Repairs • Cleaning • Storage Exciting 2018 collections featuring furs by • • • • • • Michael Kors YSL Zandra Rhoads Bisang Dena Lyons de Carlis and more... 379 Lancaster Ave. Haverford, PA 610.896.6662 261 N. Old York Rd. Jenkintown, Pa 215.885.4747 JON MARKS | JE FEATURE www.stuppfurs.com Gifts available from Modern Tribe Photo provided T HE DAYS OF MACY’S and defunct department stores like Gimbels dominating retail are long gone. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM See JUDAICA, page 8 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Haverford Square 379 Lancaster Ave Haverford, Pa 19041 610-642-0585 Patricia-adams.com NOVEMBER 23, 2017 7 JUDAICA 7 C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E Sure, some people still get a kick going to the mall where the search for that elusive parking spot begins, hopefully within reasonable walking distance. But more and more shoppers have decided the thrill of waiting in line to buy a pair of socks just isn’t worth it, especially when they can choose whatever they want with a simple click of their mouse. That goes for Judaica items like menorahs, candlesticks and kosher wines, too. One Stop Shopping for the Best Gift s, Accessories and Fine Clothing Haverford Square 379 Lancaster Avenue Haverford, PA 19041 610.658.0992 www.lindagoldenboutique.com Best of the Mainline 2017 Best Accessories! CHARMING BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL PERFECT Clothing, Shoes, Toys + Accessories Gift Baskets • Local Delivery • World-Wide Shipping • Corporate Gifts Open 7 Days a Week! Monday to Saturday: 10am - 6pm • Sunday: 11am - 4pm 393 W. Lancaster Ave (484) 412-8301 Haverford, PA 19041 www.shopcbop.com 8 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Yes, online Jewish gift shops are fill- ing the cyber market these days. From A (Amazon) to Z (Zingerman’s), there’s something for everybody, a far cry from the days when you had to go to the local synagogue gift shop if you needed a tallis or a kippah. The problem with having so many to choose from is how do you know which sites are best? What if there’s a problem with the order? And, of course, what if you decide that once it arrives you don’t like it or find something better? Chances are, however, that due to the nature of what’s become a consum- er-friendly business, you’ll wind up be- ing satisfied. “We’re a family company who prides themselves on having excellent custom- er service,” said Amy Kreitzer, who runs moderntribe.com. “I work really hard to find items they can’t get anywhere else. I have a business background and a Jewish food blog, What Jew Want to Eat? Because of that, I became proficient in social media. “Shopping online is a lot easier be- cause you can have a larger selection than in person and don’t have to leave JEWISHEXPONENT.COM LEATHER TOTE HAND CRAFTED IN ISREAL menagerie Haverford Square Eagle Village Shops 385 Lancaster Avenue Haverford, Pennsylvania 19041 Tel: 610-658-9989 503 W. Lancaster Avenue, Ste 500 Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 Tel: 610-971-1769 www.menagerieboutique.com Ronne Hellman at the Beth Sholom Congregation gift shop Photo provided your home. The way people shop to- day, it makes sense for us to have Ju- daica. We have some items no one else has — like handmade bagel earrings made of clay. We make some of our own items and work with smaller and larger artisans on some others.” Being unique will set you apart from the rest. At the same time, it nar- rows the marketplace. That’s what they’re discovering at NMAJH.org., the website for the Na- tional Museum of American Jewish History store. It takes in 20 percent of the store’s business. “Our online store’s extremely suc- cessful,” said store manager Kristen Kreider, who owned brick-and-mor- tar stores featuring Judaica in the late 1980s. “Without it, we’d be taking a hit. But variety has disappeared over the years. Twenty years ago, it was a lot easier to find Judaica, but a lot of See JUDAICA, page 10 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 9 JUDAICA 9 wardrobe C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E BOUTIQUE Contemporary womens sportswear Unique home decor and gifts 233 Haverford Avenue • Narberth PA • 610 667 2134 • wardrobehome.com Chai. News for people who know we don’t mean spiced tea. Every Thursday in the and all the time online @jewishexponent.com. For home delivery, call 215.832.0710. 10 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 Dreidels remain a popular gift. Photo via traditionsjewishgifts.com the artists creating ceremonial things have stopped or moved into other things. “We’re known for having a great selection of books, with a number of pieces handmade. Plus, people like to support us over Amazon or Bloomingdale’s because we’re nonprofit. So for a $200 menorah where you’d normally pay sales tax, here there’s no sales tax, museum members save 10 percent and every penny generated goes back into the museum.” Wendy Silver-Gordon of traditionsjewishgifts.com can somewhat relate. “There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of online sites selling Judaica,” Silver-Gordon said. “A majority of them are probably people working out of old offices or spare bed- rooms. Only a handful of us operate out of a warehouse and have a real store. Eventually, the consumer finds out. You get calls from people who need a tallis that weekend. They or- dered it from some store but never got it. Tradition saves the day.” In time, going online might even save the day for syna- gogue gift shops, which are going the way of the dinosaur between plummeting synagogue memberships and the pro- liferation of online options. That’s why the gift shop at Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park has its own website, no doubt figuring that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. “I think of it as a marketing necessity,” said Ronne Hell- man, who’s worked in the shop nearly eight years. “We don’t have many transactions because not many know about us, but at least this way people can do some preliminary shopping. I don’t know of another synagogue gift shop that has a website, but it’s a better use of our money than putting it into tradi- tional advertising.” Like NMAJH.org, bscgiftshop.com has an ulterior motive for existing. “Our hope is it’s more meaningful to people to be making purchases from the synagogue than from Amazon,” she said. WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM “We hope they appreciate the benefit to the synagogue. We consider ourselves a year-round fundraiser for the synagogue.” But the harsh reality is that shoppers generally are either looking for the best deal — or something that no one else has available. “One reason we’re so successful is we have so many different items,” said Sil- ver-Gordon, who started the site in 2001. “At this point, we have over 800 mezuzahs and different menorahs. It’s hard to find that type of assortment anywhere. We do have some vendors create exclusive items “Only a handful of us operate out of a warehouse and have a real store. Eventually, the consumer finds out.” — WENDY SILVER-GORDON for us, but not an entire line. And we make our own wedding glass keepsake items, because it’s nice to have something just a little bit different.” That’s especially true since the holidays are approaching. “Definitely, this is our busiest time,” Kreitzer said. “We have tons of new stuff from emoji dreidels to a menorah in brass or chrome that’s a monument to the mod- ern bagel. I was writing the blog, with a new recipe every week, looking for a creative outlet. Last year, I found mod- erntribe.com was for sale, the perfect complement.” There’s probably a similar story behind every Jewish website, something else you won’t find on Amazon. “My mother-in-law started with a retail store, my husband opened this location in the mall and I opened the site,” Silver-Gor- don said. “I’d come from a Jewish artist’s perspective because my father and I were in business together making Judaica when I met my future mother-in-law. “The industry has consolidated. A lot of stores have closed over the years. But we rely on word-of-mouth and previous cus- tomer experience. “That gives us the ability to offer all price points. The store’s in a good location, but online offers us a lot more growth.” l JEWISHEXPONENT.COM A.Brandt+Son ANTIQUE AND ESTATE JEWELRY t a VINTAGE ACCESSORIES Gr l e iday g Ho oppin We buy Gold, Silver and All Precious Metals Sh We appraise and purchase jewelry from estates 223 Haverford Avenue, Narberth 610 617 0993 www.abrandtandson.com WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 11 Top 12 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM to Do in lphia Wi nter MARISSA STERN | JE STAFF intertime in the ity is the most magical. Th is was probably not the intention of Philly’s founders, but the picturesque old streets blanketed in fresh snow were basically made for Instagram. And there are plenty of ways to enjoy the cold weather (well, hopefully it’s cold weather given the track record so far this year) without feeling like you’re just doing the same old thing every year to keep yourself occupied. Between public menorah lightings in unexpected places to the consistently charming light shows around the city, here are a few suggestions to make Philadelphia your winter wonderland. If you’re more the “bah humbug,” stay in and drink indoors type, there are endless options to fi nd hot cocoa or hot cider around the city. Or Troegs Mad Elf is already back on shelves. You’re welcome. See TOP 10, page 14 See Top 10, page 00 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 13 Welcome the holidays with a freshly updated home 1 Interior Painting - Exterior Painting - Wallcoverings - Finish Carpentry 610-664-5555 www.johnneillpainting.com HOLIDAY GIFT ITEMS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST... ...we have a Baby Boutique too! 10 TOP C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 13 Light Up (The Menorah) Last year, the iconic Boathouse Row was transformed into a me- norah as part of the city’s effort to be more inclusive around the holidays. It was lit up in red, green, silver and gold for Christmas, and there was program- ming for Kwanzaa as well. Boathouse Row will once again be lit as a menorah and the city will host an event on the first night to celebrate the holiday and light the “menorah.” More details are forthcoming. Mayor Kenney joined the festivities on the sixth night last year. Lubavitch of Center City also holds an annual giant menorah lighting in Rit- tenhouse Square. This year’s lighting will take place on Dec. 17 at 5 p.m., per the Friends of Rittenhouse Square website. 2 Celebrate Christmas OK, so maybe not actually, but there are ways to spend the holi- day besides seeing Star Wars three times in a row (no judgment, though). Here’s a riddle for you: What rhymes with Christmas? Chinese food. The Gershman Y will hold its sta- ple Moo Shu Jew show on Christmas Eve at Ocean Harbor Restaurant. Af- ter chowing down on a multi-course Chinese meal (not kosher), digest with some laughs from this year’s lineup of comedians: Moody McCarthy, Marla Schultz and Brad Zimmerman. Regis- tration is required at gershmany.org or call 215-545-4400. On Christmas itself, there are ways to spread Jewish joy and celebrate the holiday as well. The National Museum of American Jewish History will hold its annual “Being __ at Christmas” pro- gram. Keep an eye on nmajh.org for a full schedule of events. 3 352 Righters Mill Rd. | Gladwyne, Pa | 610.649.1100 14 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE All of the Lights, All of the Lights There’s a reason the Macy’s Light Show has been around for half a century. Watch reindeer, ballerinas and snowmen twirl and twinkle as 100,000 lights (energy-efficient LED lights, for those who care about the Earth) form a magical winter show on display begin- ning Nov. 24. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM When you’re done with the show, don’t be a Scrooge and head on up to the third floor for Dickens Village, which brings the classic A Christmas Carol to life through Dec. 31. You can even knock out your holiday shopping while you’re there; win-win. Or if you’re worried you’ll walk out with more sweaters and winter goodies than your bank account allows for, head to the Comcast Center for The Comcast Holiday Spectacular from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1. Franklin Square will be lit for the holidays starting Nov. 9. Head there to check out the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show with more than 50,000 lights dancing to holiday tunes. A personal favorite is the “Season’s Greetings” strung out in lights on Jeweler’s Row, spreading along Eighth Street between Sansom, Walnut and Chestnut streets. And of course, no winter in Philly would be complete without a stop at the Miracle on South 13th Street in South Philly. The homeowners on this street go all out to make it a must-see during the holidays. Take a Da Trip Longwood Gardens and Peddler’s Village are so close and yet we don’t always take advantage of it. Change that this winter with a drive to the gardens to see the grounds, which are beautiful any time of year, but especial- ly during the holidays. A Longwood Christmas will be on display Nov. 23 through Jan. 7 and will be themed this year after France’s Versailles. Ooh la la! Top spots for pumpkin picking in the fall turn into prime plac- es for winter fun, too. Linvilla Orchards (Nov. 19 through Dec. 23) and Shady Brook Farm (Nov. 18 through Jan. 7) will hold their annual light shows with more than 3 million lights (!) and give you the chance to sip on some apple cider while walking through “the North Pole.” The annual Peddler’s Village Christmas Festival will take place on Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. While you’re there, definitely check out the Gingerbread House Competition and Display. Or if Bavaria in the winter is more your speed (who wouldn’t want to warm up with a nice stein of beer?), check out Bavaria in Bucks at Peddler’s Village for a series of dining events featuring German cuisine, wine, beer and entertainment on Jan. 12 to 14. Lace p ou r sk ates As tempting as it is to curl up in a blanket and stay inside all day, don’t let the winter stop you from being physically active. There are tons of ways to be outside, from skiing to ice skating, and there are plenty of spots to lace up your skates and take a turn around the rink. The Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is now open and al- lows you to skate around next to City Hall, right by the giant lit- up tree — really, you can’t miss it — and when you’re done, walk around the little shops and booths set up in the park. Christmas Village is set up at Dilworth Plaza while renovations at LOVE Park continue. The city claims it will be open for Christmas Village this year, but that remains to be seen. Or head to Penn’s Landing for Blue Cross RiverRink Winter- fest (November through March) to skate and warm up in The Lodge while you sip on cider and hot chocolate (adults can get some spiked winter cocktails). See TOP 10, page 16 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM CALL FOR YOUR FREE MENU AND PARTY PLANNING GUIDE 215-633-7100 888-309-3800 WWW.FOODARAMA.COM 870 W. Lancaster Ave Bryn Mawr, Pa 610.525.2627 872 W. Lancaster Ave Bryn Mawr, Pa 610.525.7300 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 15 10 TOP C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 15 Ha ve a all at the Matz oB all Dreading another holiday season where your relatives greet you with a, “Hi, how’s your job? Are you eating enough? When are you going to find a nice Jewish boy- friend/girlfriend?” Head to the MatzoBall on Christmas Eve to meet other singles in the same boat. This year’s party will take place at Rumor Nightclub. Annu al Au to Sho Looking to get dressed up fancy shmancy and look at some cars you can daydream about buying when you win the lottery? Check out the Annual Auto Show Philadelphia at the Conven- tion Center Jan. 27 to Feb. 4 (black-tie tailgate Jan. 26). It’s a fun alternative to typical winter activities and has become a Philly staple for good reason. Tu rn Up the Mu sic For music lovers who don’t mind bravely standing outside in frigid temperatures for some great live — and free! — music, the Radio 104.5 Winter Jawn at Xfinity Live (for- merly known as Winter Jam but changed to Winter Jawn because Philly) is a winter staple. Former emo teens’ favorite band Dash- board Confessional headlines this year’s concert, which in the past has included stellar acts like Elle King and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Of course, there will still be concerts aplenty in the nice warmth of venues like the Wells Fargo Center and the Fillmore. Some standouts in the next few months include: Q102’s Jingle Ball, aka every tween parent’s nightmare, featuring a mini One Direction reunion as Liam Payne and Niall Horan are both performers (Wells Fargo Center, Dec. 6); Andrea Bocelli (Wells Fargo Center, Dec. 8); The Killers (Wells Fargo Center, Jan. 13); LCD Soundsystem (The Fillmore Dec. 5 to 7); Ladies First: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico featuring Danielle and Jennifer, Mixed People, Prima Donna, Roxy Rollz and Sylvia Platypus (World Cafe Life, Jan. 27). o Se e a Performance Is it really the holidays if you don’t go see a performance of The Nutcracker? I think not. The Pennsylvania Ballet will take you to the Land of Sweets this season from Dec. 8 to 31 at the Academy of Music. Celebrate Leonard Bernstein with the Philadelphia Orchestra in December with artist-in-residence Hilary Hahn. The orchestra will celebrate the Jewish composer throughout December with Ser- enade, a musical retelling of Plato’s ode to love, written for Bern- stein’s friend Isaac Stern (no relation). Or hear The Glorious Sound of Christmas from Dec. 14 to 17. 10 f All lse Fa ils… There will be plenty of movies out this holiday sea- son. So go bask in the warmth of the movie theater, grab some popcorn and see Bad Moms 2 or Star Wars: The Last Jedi however many times you like. l mstern@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 V I E W O U R H A N U K K A H M E N U O N L I N E A T C A R L I N O S M A R K E T. C O M 16 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 17 Make Holiday Entertaining a Breeze with Th ese Tips MARISSA STERN | JE STAFF D Photo: BananaStock/Thinkstock ECK THE HALLS with boughs of … what’s the Jewish equivalent of decking the halls with holly? 18 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM With Chanukah around the corner, you might be starting to get into the holiday party frame of mind. And maybe this year you want to skip your second cousin twice removed’s boring party with stale latkes and throw one of your own. Th ere are plenty of ways to throw a festive holiday party this season without breaking the bank or setting your kitchen ablaze with over- cooked meatballs. One tip for throwing the ultimate holiday get-together: Play to your strengths, said Keri White, who frequent- ly writes the food col- umn for the Jewish Exponent and its food blog, Philacatessen. When you’re pre- paring a party and you’re not the greatest cook, don’t try a su- per involved dish that those Tasty videos make look so easy. “If you are really creative into cooking, then make that your KERI focus. If you love to set a beautiful table, make that your focus and then simplify the meal. Don’t try to do every single thing,” White advised. “Don’t make a completely new recipe that has 4 million ingredients and 77 steps, and weave your own linen tablecloth, and grow your own fl owers for your centerpiece,” she added. “Focus on one really big pri- ority and then make everything else manageable.” Th at includes making the cooking manageable. As the host of the party, you don’t want to miss the actual party because you’re in the kitchen for two hours. “Don’t plan a meal that requires tons of last-minute preparation. Try to do something that you can do ahead, pop in the oven and then pull out and serve,” she suggested. (Or if you’re like me and are not great at actually cooking, you could try a Crockpot meal.) Make it something scalable, as well, to better increase the amount of food depending on how many guests you’re expecting. “Do a big braised lamb shoulder or a couple roasted chickens or something like a big casserole that you can do ahead and you can dou- ble and triple and make for a big crowd,” she said. If a big dinner isn’t your thing, you can stick to appetizers — but make them mess-free and easy to eat. Namely, skip the bruschetta. Yes, it’s delicious, but it also falls apart as soon as you take a bite. Instead, White said, make appetizers that are small and simple, no bigger than a quarter. If you make a cheese plate, cut the pieces up so they’re easy for people to just take and eat. “If it’s something people have to work to eat or you do a crispini with a slice of fi let on it, people are not going to take that because it seems like it’s going to be messy,” she said. “If you’re doing a sit-down dinner, don’t overdo the appetizers because people pig out on the appetizers, and then you cooked this beautiful dinner and nobody eats it.” You’ll also need some drinks to go with your delicious meal, of course. White suggests creating holiday-centric concoctions — skip the Manischewitz — but don’t forget to create an accompanying non-alco- holic drink for your underage cousins or party guests who don’t drink. Th e Daily Meal has plenty of Chanukah-themed recipes that would surely provide some inspiration. Th e Chocolate Gelt Cocktail, for instance, requires 3 ounces choc- olate vodka, 1 ounce Goldschläger and cocoa powder for garnish. Put the ice in a cocktail shaker and add the chocolate vodka. Shake well, and strain it into a martini or cocktail glass. Add Goldschläger and gently stir. Or the Chanukah Gift Cocktail, which uses 3 ounces chocolate vod- ka, 1/2 ounce Sabra (chocolate-orange fl avored liqueur), and a small chocolate gelt coin, chocolate kiss or chocolate Baton (unwrapped). Add the ice, vodka and Sabra in a cock- tail shaker. Shake well, and strain it into a martini or cocktail glass. Garnish it with a chocolate candy. Beyond the food — though that is arguably the most im- portant — there are other ways to create a festive atmosphere. Scan Spotify for some holiday play- lists to have on to fi ll WHITE the awkward lulls in conversation or just provide some festive background noise. Or if you’re like White’s family, you might end up just dancing, which is OK, too. Some suggestions: Th e “Hanukkah” playlist by Spotify, which features holiday tunes by such artists as Carole King, Neil Dia- mond, Matisyahu, and, of course, Adam Sandler; PJ Library cre- ated a Hanukkah playlist there as well; fi ll the room with the a cappella sounds of groups like the Maccabeats or Six13; the Ru- grats Chanukah soundtrack, if that exists; or just Sandler’s “Th e Chanukah Song” on repeat the whole time if you actually hate the people at your party. Setting the table — and perhaps creating a seating chart to avoid an awkward game of musical chairs — is also a key element to a successful holiday party. You could scatter some plastic dreidels and gelt across the table for aesthetics, or a mid-meal snack. White outlined a few suggestions for a centerpiece: fl oating candles, a vase of fl owers, or you could even create a bowl and have people write questions on pieces of paper and pull them out during the meal to get to know each other. Ask open-ended questions like “Where would you like to travel this year?” or “What is the best fi lm you’ve seen?” Another suggestion was to have everyone bring a small gift and play a round of Yankee swap or white elephant, where you can swap or keep gift s (it is Chanukah, aft er all). But no matter what, one key tip White suggests: Hire a clean- up crew. Aft er the party is over, having a cleanup service, even if it’s just a local teenager out to make some extra money, clean up the party is a lifesaver, White said. It helps the host enjoy the party without picking up trash the whole time or having to save it all for the next day. Change around your budget if necessary — skip the Champagne and opt for prosecco or swap the fi let for a pot roast to save some mon- ey for the cleanup service. “It’s like, the best holiday gift to yourself you can give,” she said. l “If you are really creative into cooking, then make that your focus. If you love to set a beautiful table, make that your focus and then simplify the meal. Don’t try to do every single thing.” — JEWISHEXPONENT.COM mstern@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 19 A few Temple Hillel Birthright members display the Israeli flag on Masada. Temple University students participate in a winter Birthright trip. About 140 students will participate in the MEOR Poland trip in January. Photos provided Trip Opportunities For C JON MARKS | JE FEATURE J ust as cellphones, com- puters, answering ma- chines and microwaves were mere figments of the imagination for the baby boom-generation growing up, so was the concept of college students using winter break for anything more than a reprieve from school. Maybe there would be a family vacation to Florida or a tropical island. But those were usually costly and probably not all that ex- citing for teenagers who’d rather be anywhere than with mom, dad and their little brother and/or sister. Going someplace meaningful, learning a bit of history while simultaneously gaining a deeper understanding of your heritage — that seldom happened. It does now — and has for a while. Programs like Birthright and Meor send thousands to Israel and other lands at either a fraction of the cost or none at all, so Jewish college students across the country are afforded the oppor- tunity of their young lifetimes. While summer is traditionally the busier time for these and other organizations, which are primarily donor-supported, there are plenty of winter trips, too. Much has changed since Pamela Fertel Weinstein’s parents al- lowed her to go where she’d always wanted — Israel — on one of the first Birthright trips in 2000. “I had no idea what to expect, but it was finally fulfilling a dream of mine to go,” said Fertel Weinstein, now Birthright Israel’s vice president of marketing and communications. “It was still then very much word of mouth, and maybe 9,000 went that year. Now we’re sending 48,000, and it’s grown exponen- tially. It’s becoming, in some circles, a rite of passage — something for Jewish kids to do when they get to college.” A Birthright participant enjoys a camel ride. Temple Hillel gathers at the Wall. 20 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Birthright camel riders visit the desert. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Temple Hillel Birthright members enjoy some sun at the Dead Sea. Meor Israel trips include study periods. Break Students Multiply And it’s hardly the only option. While, unlike Birthright, it might not be free, Meor off ers nu- merous trips to Jewish students who have an educational frame of mind. Not only do they get to experience a diff erent place (and usually a diff erent country), they learn in the classroom. “Meor means to illuminate,” said Rabbi Josef Lynn, who runs Meor from his home in Israel. “Basically, students come together from all the 22 Meor campuses in the U.S. “Th e fi rst week in January, 140 of them will be traveling to Poland, starting in Warsaw and going to many of the death camps. ... I’ve been involved from the beginning. My brother [Shmuel] got me involved, and I took over the Meor Poland trip three years ago. Th ey visit a diff erent town every night and are busy every day between touring the camps and having class and discussion groups. “It’s a trip about life and inspiring people to connect to their Jewish roots. It’s not supposed to be about sadness. It’s much more about the future and continuity of the Jewish people than remem- bering the past.” If going to Auschwitz, Treblinka and seeing the Warsaw Ghet- to isn’t for you, Meor probably has something else that might be. For starters, there are two winter trips to Israel — Meor Israel and Meor Vision. Meor Israel combines an introduction to the Holy Land with Jewish study. Meor Vision, which is open only to those who’ve completed Meor Israel, Birthright or something equivalent, goes deeper into Talmudic study and offers classes and other outdoor activities. And then there’s Olami, the annual international Jewish Sum- mit. Some 1,200 delegates representing 100 organizations and 20 countries are expected to participate in the week-long event that will begin in Spain and end in London. A handful of those dele- gates will be coming from the Philadelphia area. “It’s hard to get in,” said Shoshana Kay, executive director for Meor at both Temple and Drexel universities. “You have to be a student leader and be Jewish. The Poland trip is more heavily subsidized.” But there’s even something for those who don’t want to leave the country. Meor’s Heritage Retreat in Sedona, Ariz., is a 10-day Meor Israel travelers explore rocky terrain. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE See OPPORTUNITIES, page 22 A few Temple Hillel members hit the beach. NOVEMBER 23, 2017 21 HOT FOOT SHOES Celebrate the Making Women Look Holiday Season and Feel Beautiful ! in Style... S ale Justa Farm Shopping Center 1966 County Line Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 In-Store Boutique 215-969-9626 HOT-FOOT-BOUTIQUE.SHOPTIQUES.COM Balloons And Decor For All Occasions Come see the store everyone’s talking about! e H av We t hi ng y Eve r e e d Fo r N u Yo rt y ! A Pa Mon - Sat 8:30 to 5:30 Wednesday to 8 Sun 10 - 4 OPEN NEW YEARS: 8:30 to 5:30 215-884-5791 Having a Football themed party? We have paper goods for your favorite teams such a Eagles, Penn State and Pitt! All Fabulous Toys, Puzzles & Plus Animals 22 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 30% OFF All Personalized Stationary & Invitations Birth Announcements Bridal & Baby Showers Weddings • Wedding Assessories Matches • Imprinted Napkins Religious Events • Cake Bag & Boxes 21 trip with a heavy emphasis on the Torah. It also costs less than the others at just $250. Parents will find it hard to complain about that or the $450 price tag for Meor Vision or $450 for Olami, not including the flight cost. Even the $850 for Meor Poland isn’t too steep. To today’s Jewish college students, this is the norm. Most are likely unaware how different it is from when their parents and “Sometimes we don’t seem to have much unity, but at the end of the day it’s really one people, one nation, one heart.” — SHOSHANA KAY grandparents went to school. “This is a much more entitled culture than 10 years ago — and I don’t mean that in a bad way,” said Kay, who’s been involved with Meor for 11 years. “Because of Birthright and other trips, they have such opportunities. And everyone’s vying for their time and attention, so we have to recruit hard. ... A non-Jewish student or someone older who didn’t have this would recognize this is a big deal. They’d say, ‘These people are so lucky.’” What makes today’s Jewish college students such “chosen people”? “It’s because Jews care so much about other Jews,” Kay said. “Sometimes we don’t seem to have much unity, but at the end of the day it’s really one people, one nation, one heart. Jews are will- ing to put millions and millions of dollars into young strangers just because they care about perpetuating their Judaism. That’s quite remarkable.” To Fertel Weinstein, though, it’s simply the gift that gives again and again. “Who knew 12 years later I’d come to work here?” she said. “But everything I’m doing now is helping pay back for an amazing experience that changed my life.” l O F LA u r G MA S a re DE IN USA THE ! www.sgspaperco.com 30% OFF Opportunities Philadelphia’s Most Exclusive Selection of FINE FURS & SHEARLINGS Quality, Fashion and Best Prices Sale up to 50 % OFF selected styles Professional Repairs & Remodeling Trade-ins Welcome 11909 BUSTLETON AVE. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19116 215.698.1300 OPEN 7 DAYS WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM What Keeps Sun-Hungry Snowbirds Flocking Back to Each Year? RACHEL KURLAND | JE STAFF I t’s officially winter — holiday joy in the air, logs in the fire- place, snow on the horizon — which probably means it’s time to flock south. If you have reached the age where you can recite Roger Murtaugh’s “I’m too old for this” Lethal Weapon line and mean it, I salute you. Why put up with shov- eling snow and lugging around heavy boots when places like Florida exist? See FLORIDA, page 24 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 23 Florida C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 23 Vacation and seasonal rentals are a common phenomenon for Philadelphia snowbirds going south, so unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast, what’s there to lose by moving toward a warmer climate? Snowbirds occupy the Sunshine State usually three to four months out of the year, the busiest months between January and March. More than 1 million make the trek to invade Florida towns — not to mention daily trips to Publix and Costco — raising the state’s population during that season by 5 percent, which does not include tourists, as reported by The Palm Beach Post. Interestingly, the percentage of snowbirds coming to Florida has decreased in recent years, reported JNS.org, but the amount of people actually there has plateaued as many baby boomer snow- birds eventually choose to permanently retire there. Bernie Becker has vacationed in Boca Raton, Fla., with his wife, Lennie, for at least 15 years. They head down in mid-December and stay until mid-March. They initially decided to head south for a number of reasons: “The weather is one thing. A change of pace,” Bernie Becker said. “It allows me to play golf in the wintertime. Meet different people.” It doesn’t hurt either that their daughter and grandson now live not too far in Naples, Fla. They keep their routine simple: Whatever they usually do in their native Penn Valley, they do the same in Boca, except for Ber- nie Becker’s year-round love of golf. “If the weather is good, you can sit by a pool — something you can’t do here [in Philadelphia] in the wintertime,” he added. “It al- lows you to continue outdoor life as opposed to being in the house.” Spending time outdoors is important to the Beckers, but they also 24 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 make time for some local shows, movies and full-time Floridian friends. “It keeps our social life active,” he said. “It’s more of an outdoor life. … It’s just an easier and a more fun way to spend time.” When they’re having that much fun, Philly turns into a distant memory, though they always return home. Palm Beach County, in which Boca lies, is one of the top winter habitats for snowbirds, with roughly 145,000 who come to the area. But there’s more to Florida than just the notoriously Jewish Boca Raton or Miami Beach. Snowbirds occupy the Sunshine State usually three to four months out of the year, the busiest months between January and March. Many have opted for less-congested and cheaper locales — with the same amount of palm trees — like the quiet beach havens of Clearwater, Englewood, Bradenton or Venice, Fla. Some cities, usually beach towns, are more popular for sun-hungry snowbirds than others, as they offer more seasonal rental properties. And if you would prefer an ocean view, there’s no worry about hurricanes since the season ends Nov. 30, not to mention a slight decrease in that awful humidity. But if you’re not much of a beach person, Winter Park, Fla., offers a more relaxed environment inland. Just outside Orlando, Winter Park provides a quiet, small-town vibe just a short drive from neighboring theme parks, restaurants and shopping. Orlando is rich in Jewish life as well — synagogues, JCCs, delis — minutes from the burbs of Winter Park. WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Seniors playing shuffl eboard. Huntstock/Thinkstock See FLORIDA, page 26 GIVE THE GIFT OF A BARRACK EDUCATION. We are an inclusive Jewish day school with a broad worldview. We welcome students from all facets of observance. We offer an amazing middle school and incredible high school...where everyone fits. Our kids are baseball players, history buffs, engineers, mathletes, rising stars. We encourage all of them to choose their own path. There’s a place for your family here. Come love where you learn. GET TO KNOW JACK. VISIT US AT AN OPEN HOUSE OR SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 • Friday, February 23, 2018 All Open Houses are 9:30am - Noon 272 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-922-2350 I admissions@jbha.org I jbha.org Accredited by Pennsylvania Association for Independent Schools JEWISHEXPONENT.COM © 2017 JBHA WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 25 Florida C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 25 And further northwest of Orlando and south of Ocala, Fla., lies The Villages, the best place for retirees to nosh and kvetch among other noshers and kvetchers. Golf carts are about the only means of getting around town — not joking. It’s basically Disney for adults. But Linda and Arthur Scherr settled for Pompano Beach, Fla., as their getaway space, usually from January to April. Florida mornings call for pickleball, a popular sport among snow- birds that combines elements of badminton, tennis and Ping-Pong. “It’s really big in Florida because it’s an outdoor thing,” Ar- thur Scherr said, but there’s also indoor spots, and five are with- in a half-hour drive from their Pompano Beach home. “It’s also social,” Linda Scherr said, “and exercise.” The Newtown Square couple met many friends through the activity, which they sometimes play up to three hours a day. Linda Scherr also opts for mahjong, canasta and a monthly book club at the local library, and Arthur Scherr plays golf. They rented a place about four years ago in Florida and fell in love with the idea of making it a longer annual stay. They bought a house some months later. “But I decided I want to come home in the middle because I want to see my grandkids,” Linda Scherr added. Otherwise, Arthur Scherr thinks their Florida home is perfect year-round (aside from craving a cheesesteak every now and then). “Pompano Beach this day is not a particularly Jewish area, but when I went to the book club, somehow or another you meet the other Jews. And then I played mahjong — they’re Jew- ish,” she laughed. There’s also Venice, Fla., which offers great walk or bike lanes to the beaches from its historic downtown area, often full of an- nual arts festivals. Even North Florida sites have become popular for the ’birds. Farther north are Fernandina Beach, Fla., or St. Augustine, Fla., both rich in history and outdoor life. St. Augustine — technically the oldest city in the country, discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and declared a Span- ish territory in 1565 — has plenty of campsites, historical attrac- tions and beach life, all encompassed in a small-town feel. Even North Florida sites have become popular for the ’birds. Farther north are Fernandina Beach, Fla., or St. Augustine, Fla., both rich in history and outdoor life. Fernandina Beach is farther north, near the popular camp- site attraction of Amelia Island, Fla., perfect for an afternoon stroll on a nature trail or birdwatching. Regardless of where you choose to settle, the less-bundled life is the way to go. “I really don’t like the snow, the ice, the cold weather,” Linda Scherr said. “I much prefer the beach, getting outside every day.” “Every day is like paradise in Florida,” Arthur Scherr added. l rkurland@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0737 CELEBRATE HANUKKAH WITH GIFTS OF ISRAEL BONDS israelbonds.com Development Corporation for Israel Harold F. Marcus, Executive Director Sharon Richman and Susan Schiffrin, Registered Representatives 1500 Walnut St., Suite 1302 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 philadelphia@israelbonds.com • 215.545.8380 • 215.752.5671 26 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 Invest in Israel Bonds israelbonds.com This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Member FINRA WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM of Holidays Past: Where Are They Now? RACHEL KURLAND | JE STAFF Ahh, holiday shopping. If there’s one thing that truly puts me in the frenzy of gift giving and receiving, it’s rewatching 1996 coverage of middle-aged mothers push and trample over each other to get their hands on the coveted Tickle Me Elmo just shy of the holidays. “Why are parents suddenly acting like children in an attempt to get their children a doll that will make them act like parents?” nar- rated one archived CNN report on the Cabbage Patch craze of ’83. Perhaps the better question is: Is it really worth the time, money and energy for a toy your children will quickly grow out of and move on to the next fad? Maybe that’s too much of a Scrooge mentality, but in reality, where are all those popular toys of the past — and how much are people willing to pay for them now? Elmo toy Photo by Tiffany Terry via Flickr Creative Commons JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE See GIFTS, page 28 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 27 Because We Care Uniquely designed packaged gifts & baskets Gifts C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E At Thanksgiving, Chanukah or any special occasion – at any time of year – Because We Care gifts and baskets are the perfect way to show your friends and family you are thinking of them. 27 G Call r a n d today O p e n - i n 215.635.4774 g Classic Star Wars figures All proceeds benefit the that will An unparalleled atmosphere Jewish Federation Greater Philadelphia spark imagination, creativity of and beauty. Photo by Richard Lewis via Flickr Creative Commons Let us assist you in choosing the faucets, fixtures, cabinets, countertops, tile and lighting for your dream project. STAR WARS FRANCHISE ACTION FIGURES, 1977 in the details if want it to Flow. Grand Opening An unparalleled atmostphere that will spark imagination, and beauty. An unparalleled atmosphere creativity that will spark imagination, creativity and beauty. Let us assist you in choosing the faucets, tile and Let fi us xtures, assist you cabinets, in choosing the faucets, countertops, fixtures, cabinets, countertops, tile and lighting for your dream project. lighting for your dream project. It's all in the details if you want it to Flow. CABBAGE PATCH KIDS, 1983 Hours: Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. 10am-5pm Wed. 10am-8pm • Sat. 10am-3pm THEN: Step aside, Care Bears: Before kids were tickled pink by Elmo, they learned that ba- bies grew from cabbage. (Seri- Call to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome. 28 127 South Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038 Hours: Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. 10am-5pm Wed. 10am-8pm • Sat. 10am-3pm 215.454.2258 Call to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome. info@flowdesignstudio.com www.flowdesignstudio.com NOVEMBER 23, 2017 THEN: If you’re unfamiliar with the Star Wars franchise, you must be living in a galaxy far, far away with no Wi-Fi. After the surprise success of the first film, George Lucas moved as quickly as possible on the now-collectible action fig- ures, making millions on “Early Bird Cer- tificate Packages,” which were vouchers many kids received for the holidays saying they would receive the almost 4-inch-tall toys in a few months by Kenner toy com- pany, NBC News reported. Starting at just $2.79, it was easy to rack up hundreds of the mini classic figurines. More than 300 million were sold between 1978 and 1985, ranging in more than 100 characters. NOW: It’s the Catch-22 of children’s toys: Don’t take them out of the package. One eBay seller has 80 figures from the Early Bird Certificate Package sealed in the original packaging for $12,950. Ironically, the most valuable figures since their incep- tion are the cause of a manufacturing flaw: a brown-haired Luke Skywalker and a Han Solo whose head is too small. 127 South Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038 215.454.2258 info@flowdesignstudio.com WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE 25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kid Photo via Amazon.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM ously, what repressed person thought of this?) Probably the biggest appeal of these creepy-eyed dolls was that fact that, for a time, they were unattainable. Toy stores were never fully stocked that year, making it even more difficult to find individual cab- bage kids specifically with freckles, dimples and red plaits. The dolls were in such rapid demand that a Wisconsin radio announcer joked that a B-29 bomber would drop 2,000 dolls into Milwaukee County Stadium, Timeline reported. At least a dozen people showed up. NOW: The Cabbage Patch brand lives on, though most dolls are collectibles or holiday-themed toys that are moderately priced. But an original 1983 one will cost you: One Amazon item is listed as “Exclu- sive Cabbage Patch Kids 25th Anniversary PREEMIE - Caucasian Girl - Hair and Eye Color Varies” for $170. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of the UPS guy who delivers an “exclusive caucasian preemie” to some- one’s door. The Good Life Whether your interests include rediscovering your passions or devoting more time to life-long hobbies, the choice is up to you. Foulkeways Retirement Community is based on Quaker values and respect for the environment. Discover us today! Retirement Living Rediscovered GAME BOY, 1989 foulkeways.org 215-283-7010 T H E N : What’s more exciting than unwrapping a handheld, PORTABLE video game console with the choice of five differ- ent games? Think about it, where would the Nintendo Game Boy tech world Photo via Wikimedia Commons be now without this chunky pocket-sized game that you always forgot in Mom’s minivan? As exciting as Tetris and Super Mario Land were, the in- flux of Game Boys must be credited in part with the Pokémon craze, which has ex- panded from the simple video games, TV shows and playing cards to countless mov- ies, costumes, spinoffs, augmented reality interactive apps and other merchandise. NOW: Generations of the Game Boy were released — the Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS — but the original will cost you today. Some eBay sellers price it as high as $979.99, but just the console itself goes for $1.17 — games not included. Play at your own risk. 1120 Meetinghouse Rd Gwynedd, PA 19436 See GIFTS, page 30 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 29 Gifts C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E Beanie Babies 28 Photo by Dominique Godbout via Flickr BEANIE BABIES, 1995 Classes to Classics Connecting people 62 and better to everything from current events to ancient art THEN: Why own one Beanie Baby when you could own 1,000? The fad started with the original nine beanies in 1993 (Legs the Frog, Squealer the Pig, Spot the Dog, Flash the Dolphin, Splash the Whale, Chocolate the Moose, Patti the Platypus, Brownie the Bear and Pinchers the Lobster), each with a birthday and short note on the Ty tag. Ty Warner of Chicago made a fortune from the beaned-stuffed animals. When Ty, Inc. retired the product in De- cember 1999, consumers decided that wasn’t an option and new generations were released. NOW: The collectables still go for a steep price, though they don’t actually do anything other than look cute on a shelf. At its peak, the $5 beanies were flipped for 1,000 percent mark-ups on eBay, according to The Fiscal Times, making up 10 percent of eBay’s sales. The fad that went for thousands of dollars has faded, though some sellers still have hope that buyers will bid on a set of three first edition glass-encased Prin- cess Diana beanies — for $652,200. TICKLE ME ELMO, 1996 A one-minute walk to book clubs and educational discussions. A ten-minute ride to art galleries and universities. When it comes to enriching experiences, our Abington Township Life Plan Community is in a class of its own. Life at Rydal Park is exceptionally vibrant. THEN: Tickle Me Elmo topped many young chil- dren’s lists, though it was evident at glance that Elmo’s laugh is quite possibly the most annoying and haunting sound of the holiday season (next to Furbies). After Thanksgiving, the 400,000 supply quickly ran out, which instigated violence over the furry red plushie. Some were scalped for thou- Elmo toy sands of dollars, People reported, as opposed to Photo by Tiffany Terry via Flickr its $29.99 retail price. Creative Commons Tickle Me Elmo made a second crazed appear- ance in 2006 for its 10th anniversary, which helped jump Mattel’s profits that year by 6 percent, as reported by the Associated Press. NOW: Searching through Amazon and eBay, a couple original Elmos, still harnessed in their boxes, go for just about the same amount, if not less. However, the hype of the doll still holds strong — or at least for a collector. One “vintage” Elmo on Amazon goes for $109, but only one left in stock, so order soon. FURBY, 1998 1515 The Fairway, Rydal, PA 19046 | 215-814-0420 Find our events at ExploreRydalPark.org. 30 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 THEN: Does anyone else still wake up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re being watched by a furry hamster-owl ro- bot hybrid? Just me? Supposedly that was the appeal of the original Furby, with its “artificial intelligence”-like murmuring Furby that developed more English than “Fur- Photo via Wikimedia bish” the more it “grew.” Commons Originally sold for $35, the holiday craze rushed prices up to $100 or more for some, reaching 1.8 mil- lion sold in 1998 and 14 million in ’99, TIME wrote. For those who may not remember, Furbies often “woke up” in the middle of the night squealing a high-pitched “I love you.” They WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM HONORABLE MENTIONS THAT DIDN’T QUITE MAKE THE CUT: Easy-Bake Oven: A personal-sized cake made out of pow- der and water, cooked by lightbulb? Sold. Etch A Sketch: A gift for experts in the art of stick-figure drawings. Legos: Obviously Legos are amazing and the brand contin- ues to expand in merchandise, theme parks and movies, so detailing its entire rise and fail is near impossible. Rubik’s Cube: When you think back on the ’80s, it’s a com- bination of Molly Ringwald’s red locks, neon aerobic jump- suits and this cube. Hot Wheels: These little cars were as close as kids could get to the real deal. Super Soakers: Nerf’s water guns dominated summers in the early ’90s. Tamagotchi: The handheld keychain-sized digital pets were somehow more captivating than real pets. Hatchimals: This Furby-like toy dominated 2016. The prem- ise: Kids had to rub a plastic “egg” to “hatch” a furry ro- bot creature from it, and then it chirps for eternity. Starting price: $50. Demanding price: $498 and up. even stirred enough controversy to be banned by the National Se- curity Agency in 1999 for fear that they “contained an internal re- cording device” that “would spill secrets,” Gizmodo wrote. NOW: The interactive toy made a comeback in 2005 and again in 2012 with more complex facial movements, voice recognition and LCD eyes. The newest Furby Connect — paired with an app — goes for $99.99, but first-generation creepy critters sit around a solid grand on eBay. Franky Bradley’s Bar Restaurant Venue Serving dinner, pre-theatre and late night menus everyday, mention this ad for a 15% discount “Franky Bradley's has sweet rewards for those who dare to find it” Craig La Ban, Philadelphia Inquirer 1320 Chancellor St, Philadelphia, On the corner of Juniper St. 215-735-0735 Peace of Mind FROZEN MERCHANDISE, 2013 THEN: Oh, you haven’t heard “Let it Go” before? Allow every child ever to serenade you with all 276 words, including shrieking — and sometimes cute — high notes. Forbes reported the film hit $1.3 billion at the box office, but the licensing of the movie and its characters grossed $107.2 billion in retail sales. This 2013 Disney hit starring MOTs Idina Menzel and Josh Gad has marketed every product under the sun with Anna and Elsa’s faces on it, and with the second movie to be released in 2019, we’ll be building a lot of snowmen for years to come. NOW: It’s hard to nar- row down specific trends in Frozen merchandise, but in 2014 Fortune re- ported Walmart had more than 700 different Frozen items, Toys“R”Us had more than 300, and eBay claimed upward of 40,000 listings. Probably the biggest hit was the Snow Glow Elsa doll, which re- Frozen dolls at Toys“R”Us tailed for around $30 and Photo by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel often sold online for dou- and JeepersMedia on YouTube via Flickr Creative Commons ble the price. l • Personal Care at The Brunswick offers the comfort of private apartments and assistance with everyday activities • Licensed staff available 24 hours a day • Personalized care to support individual needs • On-site Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy services • Dedicated staff committed to the history and mission of the community Inquire about our short-term respite stays! 290-310 East Winchester Avenue Langhorne, PA 19047 215-752-9730 • www.attleborovillage.com rkurland@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0737 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Independent Living • Personal Care Nursing & Rehabilitation Center WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 23, 2017 31 Name: URJ Camp Harlam Overnight Width: 3.625” Depth: 9.75” Color: Black plus one Comment: JE - Winter Holiday Magazine Ad Number: 00070650 LISTINGS CAMP RAMAH IN THE POCONOS 215-885-8556 • www.ramahpoconos.org Camp Ramah in the Poconos is an overnight summer camp located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains for kids and teens in grades 2-10. 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Over 57 summers, Harlam has earned its reputation as one of the fi nest Jewish camps in North America. g Jewish ng li i f f e e l l o o n ng Jewish c c o o n n n n ect C C r r e e a a t t i ing l py camper at a ect i i o o n n s s p on n e e h h a appy camper at a t t i i m m e e ! ! o RAMAH DAY CAMP Pre K-7th grade OV ERNIGHT CAMP 2nd-10th grade T IKVAH RESIDENT IAL PROGRAM Ages 12-17 215-885-8556 www.ramahpoconos.org • info@ramahpoconos.org 32 32 NOVEMBER 23, 2017 2017 NOVEMBER 23, WINTER WINTER HOLIDAY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM C BY DEBORAH FINEBLUM/JNS.ORG edith Lewis, director of content and engagement for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s PJ Library program, which distributes nearly 200,000 Jewish children’s books to families in the U.S., Can- ada and elsewhere. As of press time, publishers were still rolling out new Cha- nukkah releases, but several titles In fact, Chanukahs of old often had already surfaced. Among included a book, its pages spotted them are Little Red Ruthie: A Ha- with droplets of candle wax. In its nukkah Tale, by Gloria Koster, a pages the brave Maccabees once spin on Little Red Riding Hood; again defeat the Syrian Greeks, a and Queen of the Hanukkah Do- tiny cruse of oil keeps the temple’s sas, by Pamela Ehrenberg, fea- menorah aglow for a miraculous turing a family celebrating with eight days, children spin dreidels spicy Indian food. for chocolate gelt (money) and you “You can smell the curry com- can almost smell the sizzling latkes. ing off this wonderful new book,” These days, the marketplace Lewis said, noting that Queen of overflows with books that can the Hanukkah Dosas and Little warm up the coldest Chanukah Red Ruthie made it into PJ Li- night. The books reflect both the brary’s fall lineup. Other notable holiday’s miracles and the nuanc- new releases include Judah Mac- es of growing up Jewish in the cabee Goes to the Doctor, by Ann 21st century. Koffsky; Way Too Many Latkes: “We’re seeing an exciting di- A Hanukkah in Chelm, by Linda versity in kids’ Chanukah books Glaser; and The Missing Letters: A now,” said Joy Getnick, direc- Dreidel Story, by Renee Londner. tor of Jewish life at the Louis S. But tried-and-true Chanukah Wolk Jewish Community Center classics continue to delight. of Greater Rochester. One of the “If I had to pick one Chanu- best parts of her job: funneling kah book to read to my kids every children’s books into the JCC’s night, it would be Eric Kimmel’s preschool, books Getnick test- brilliant Hershel and the Hanuk- drives with her 2-year-old son. kah Goblins,” Kamin said. She Experts say there’s a certain also loves Kimmel’s lesser-known quality of magic in the best of goblin story, Zigazak! A Magical these books — making them the Hanukkah Night and his The Ha- kinds of gifts that keep giving. nukkah Bear, in which an elderly “They have to celebrate being Joy Getnick reading a Chanukah story book to her son, Benjamin. latke-maker mistakes a bear for Photo by Jonathan Getnick Jewish in a diverse world and her rabbi.  transmit powerful values to For those looking for a dra- the new generation,” Getnick matic children’s book, Lou- said. ise Borden’s The Journey That “They have to make the Saved Curious George features child wonder what’s going Hans and Margret Rey’s escape to happen next,” said Lyn- on bicycles from the Nazis dall Miller, who directs the during World War II — taking Jewish Early Childhood Ed- children’s book manuscripts ucation Leadership Institute, along for the journey. where the Jewish Theological Meanwhile, for interfaith Seminary and Hebrew Union families, Chanukah can be a College - Jewish Institute of delicate time when it comes to Religion provide leadership reading. training and Jewish learning “Parents and grandparents to directors of early childhood say, ‘A book about Christmas centers. and Chanukah? That’s great!’ “They have to give Jewish But they need to read it first,” children a sense of pride and Kamin warned. “Is it patroniz- inclusion,” said Rachel Kamin, a book reviewer, judge and editor ing or insulting? Or does it sensitively reflect the message of Cha- who directs the Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center nukah for an interfaith family? at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Ill. “In what can be a confusing time of year,” she said, “it’s often the Chanukah-themed children’s books “help us see how the mir- grandparents who become the portal to tradition and play a key acles in our own lives reflect the miracle” of the holiday, said Mer- role in shaping identity.” l hanukah and children’s books go together like latkes and applesauce. 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