That’s a WRAP
A MINECRAFTY WAY OF TEACHING
A HOLIDAY BENCHMARK
BOARD WITH THE OUTDOORS
Move over, Elf on the Shelf. No, really, move over
— the stores need to make room for two new
additions to this sedentary toy trend. You may
recognize Mensch on a Bench from such shows
as Shark Tank, where the toy’s creator secured a
deal, or you may have seen Moshe the Mensch
peering at you happily from his perch in one of
your friends’ houses. Now it’s your turn to find
out what it’s all about.

$29.99 at local retailers
Whether you’re already on board with camping cul-
ture or you’re still trying to coax your family into their
first time at a KOA, there are few things more impor-
tant than a good game that appeals to everyone. If
you’re looking for a way to connect with your loved
ones — and connect to the great outdoors — then you
need to check out Camp. This board game engages
players with its fast-paced, intuitive method of learning
fun facts about the great outdoors. S’mores optional.

$19.95 at amazon.com
Name: HUB International
Width: 3.625"
Depth: 4.75"
Color: Black plus one
Comment: SS -HG
Piggybacking on the overwhelming success
and influence of Minecraft, the folks at Think-
Fun have come up with Code Master, a game
that uses a Minecraft-like environment to
teach players programming logic while they
scramble to collect crystals and reach the
portal of success — and it’s all done without
sitting in front of a screen!
$19.99 at Target
PERSON OF THE BOOK
Strength. Support.

Tradition. Determination.

Rabbi Eliot M. Strom is more than just the
founding rabbi and rabbi emeritus of Shir Ami
Congregation; he is also an author. His new
book, Rabbi Run, is a novel about the life and
times of a handsome, boyishly charming rabbi
in suburban Philadelphia. Good to see some-
one who knows the first rule of writing fiction!
$14.95 at bookstores
HER TRAVELS,
YOUR TREASURES
HUB International Northeast has been providing risk management
& insurance solutions for over 75 years. HUB brings you the best of both
worlds, the market leverage & capabilities of a national broker with the
accessibility & dedication of your local service team. As our top
10 national ranking indicates, we have the Strength, Support, Tradition
& Determination to truly make a difference.

The Leaders in Business & Personal Insurance
Marc Cohen, CEO
HUB Northeast
Stephanie Goldberg, SVP
HUB Northeast/Pennsylvania
FEATS OF CLAY
1-800-220-3008 Happy Chanukah
FROM THE STAFF AT THE JEWISH EXPONENT
36 NOVEMBER 19, 2015
When Laura Cohn first visited Indone-
sia 17 years ago, she never could have
known that that one trip would lead to
a lifetime of involvement with the
country’s culture and people. Now, we
can all benefit from her travels, thanks
to her annual From Bali to Bala sale,
going on now in Chestnut Hill. Check
out handmade arts and crafts, like
these stunning masks, and also the nu-
merous free themed events she is
staging. Prices vary; frombalitobala.com
WINTER HOLIDAY GUIDE
If you’re looking for a menorah that
reflects your commitment to Ju-
daism as well as to local artisans,
then check out the impressive works
thrown by Ruth Schachter. A mem-
ber of the Pennsylvania Guild of
Craftsmen, Schachter creates stun-
ning, one-of-a-kind Judaica like this
menorah, dreidels and more.

Prices vary; myworkinclay.com
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM

That’s a WRAP
NO ONE PUTS BABY FOOD IN A CORNER
NOW THAT’S THE STUFFED
Ever thought to yourself, “Connor Barwin and
Jason Kelce are so cute — I wish someone
would turn them into 10-inch tall plush ﬁgures
that I could buy — I mean, give to my nephew,”
then you’re in luck. Bleacher Creatures has cre-
ated ﬁgures not just of the Eagles players, but
of current Flyers, Sixers great Allen Iverson, as
well as Marvel’s Avengers, the Hobbit and more.

$19.99 at bleachercreatures.com
Making your own baby food has always been on
your wish list — until you think about the messy
mechanics of it all, at which point those little
glass jars seem like a decent compromise. No
more, thanks to the Baby Brezza One Step Baby
Food Maker. This thing can steam and blend
fruits, vegetables, meats and ﬁsh all in one bowl
quickly and easily with the press of a button.

And no plastic here — only stainless steel blades
and a glass bowl. What’s your excuse now?
Baby wants to know.

$99.99 at major retailers
DO BE SUCH A BLOCKHEAD!
Instead of just reading and stressing about how
important STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering,
Arts and Math) are in developing our children’s
— especially girls’ — intellects, why not do
something about it? Like, make a game out of
it? That’s just what the folks at GoldieBlox have
done. Their award-winning construction sets en-
gage young minds with their whimsical designs
while encouraging creativity, and verbal and
spatial skills.

$19.99 at major retailers and goldieblox.com
THE SIREN SONG OF A BOOK
Now you can give a child a book and perform
tzedakah at the same time, thanks to a partner-
ship between American Friends of Magen David
and Apples & Honey Press. They have teamed
up to oﬀer the new series about Avi, an eager
young anthropomorphic ambulance — the
youngest and smallest in a family of Magen
David Adom emergency vehicles living in a
garage in Jerusalem.

$9.95 at amazon and other booksellers
A GIFT THAT WILL BE ALL THE PAGE
Forget about monogrammed backpacks — what if you could get your favorite young’un a book that
featured them going on a Chanukah adventure? That’s exactly what A Hanukkah Bear for Me, from I
See Me Personalized Children’s Books, will do (for $39.99, of course). Looking for a non-holiday gift
that is just as personal? The company also makes My Sing-Along Book, which not only features the
child’s name in the book, but also in the songs on the accompanying CD ($39.99).

iseeme.com WIN THE STROLLER DERBY
If you really want to be ready to walk your
baby in the cold — not just this winter, but for
a few winters to come — then the only
stroller accessory you should be buying is the
7 AM Enfant Blanket 212 Evolution. This
bunting expands as your baby grows.

$189 at 7amenfant.com
JEWISHExPONENT.COM THERE IS NO TRY; ONLY BUY
You didn’t think we could make it through an entire gift guide without having at least one Star Wars-
themed gift in here, did you? We’ll leave it to others to feature the high-end esoteric claptrap (hello,
LEGO — we’re looking at you!) and focus on the Hasbro oﬀerings that remind us of the toys of our
youth, like the super-cool Armor-Up ﬁgurines of characters like Poe Dameron, and the telescoping
light sabers that come complete with air-slicing hums.

Prices vary; available everywhere, obviously
WINTER HOLIDAY GUIDE
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
37