Just wanted to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all our GatchaFriends who are celebrating!

Happy Channukah!

Please explain...I gather it's a Hawaii celebration...maybe.????

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne Please explain...I gather it's a Hawaii celebration...maybe.????

It is the Jewish Festival of Lights. 8 nights, beginning tonight, I believe.

Happy Channukah everyone. And this reminds me, I am meant to be finding some Channukah art activities tonight for my class to do tomorrow. Ah, well, I guess I will do the search tomorrow.

Oh, then Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Chanukkah! I live in a predominately Russian Jewish area so I will be getting some latkes (potato pancakes) to help celebrate.

I actually don't know any Jewish people...lots live over on the Nth Shore of Sydney though...

My aunt and her daughter are Jewish; my uncle is agnostic or humanist. Grandma made a big deal about inviting Cousin over for Christmas every year so she could see how the Christians do it (not that a bright kid like her would ever pick it up in school), and the one time my Aunt hosted Hanukkah and invited Grandma, we heard about it for years! (Both Uncle and Aunt are high school teachers. They almost always asked my aunt to say Grace at the Christmas party. Then my uncle pointed out that the non-denomination prayer at graduation left out atheists, so they asked him (and he's agnostic)). (Dad goes with the flow, and the other brother is now Bhuddist. Reunions were more fun when their major differences were less significant.) The Hanukkah story is really beautiful, and kids these days will sympathize with much of it. It's well-worth telling. A small light in the window is also Jewish, but I'm not confident in explaining the significance. A really cool fact is that they can't work, including striking a spark or lighting a match, after sunset, so if you didn't turn the lights on before sunset you're left in the dark. The Hanukkah story can be simplified in the same way the Manger story is. They don't put up lights outside around Christmas time; the story is about darkness and conservation. (I just realized that theme; that would make a really neat sermon!) Dreidels are also fun; they're more cultural than religious, and an excuse to give them chocolate coins. Jean Little's story about the Hanukkah Queen is beautiful, but it also bothers many Jews; it deals with the theme of being of a minority religion and whether it's right to change your religious customs so you're not left out. I wouldn't tell it unless I was ready to discuss the whole "Religion makes me different," and "Why does God ask me to do this, but He doesn't ask you?" issue. (A mother invents the Hanukkah Queen because her daughter is upset that Santa will go to all her friends' houses, but not hers.)

Thanks for the insight Cricket... I hope that all who are celebrating have a good time...

Thanks for sharing cricket! I'm not a religious person, just a born again christen. But I like to know about why people do things in their beliefs, and I respect other cultures. You can't change the world to suit your own ideals.(Though some people I know would argue with that.) But basic human rights applies to all of us. Anyway enough of my ideas. I remember the movie "Shindlers list" was good at showing the Jewish culture, say and moving in it's telling...

Originally posted by CricketBeautiful A small light in the window is also Jewish, but I'm not confident in explaining the significance. A really cool fact is that they can't work, including striking a spark or lighting a match, after sunset, so if you didn't turn the lights on before sunset you're left in the dark.

This is the case on every Sabbath (Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday). I often see the men and young boys in their black suits and hats walking to the Temple on Friday Evenings. I've lost count of the number of temples on this section of Bathurst Street (North York, Toronto) alone. A while ago someone told me of an apartment building in this area that is home to mostly Orthodox Jews. They have the elevator rigged up so on the Sabbath, it stops on every floor without anyone actually hitting a button. That way they can use the elevator (it is a high-rise apartment) without doing "work". I have a bagel shop down the street from me that has the best bagels and Eastern European-styled pastries... mmmmmm Shalom

Wow, Cricket, you have quite an intersting family there!! Just a couple things I wanted to clarify in your explaination above... Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. The extremely short version of the story is when the Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated, there was only enough oil to light the candelbra for one night. In biblical times, it took eight days to manufacture oil. Well, the miracle of the holiday is that the oil lasted for the entire 8 days, until new oil was available. (hence the "festival of lights") Hanukkah actually means "dedication" and the holiday is to remember the Greek's oppression of the Jews; Judah Maccabee, his revolt, and subsequent victory against them; the rededication of the temple; and the miracle of the lights. For the full story and traditions of the holiday, go to: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm Or for the children's version (the storey may be a little easier to follow): http://www.jewishpub.org/children/hanukkah/ Also, just to clarify... With the not working thing, that would be on the Sabbath and significant holidays (the Sabbath goes from sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night - all Jewish holidays and the Sabbath go sundown to sundown). The Sabbath is considered a day of rest (the 7th day when G-d rested - Christians interpreted it as Sunday, Jews interpreted it as Friday night-Saturday night). Any other time Jewish people are allowed to work, cook, clean, strike fire, etc. Today it's mostly the Orthodox who still follow this tradition. Most Conservatives and Reform practitioners drive, shop, cook, etc., on the Sabbath.

You guys know so much about this, I can see there are big jewish populations in your areas. Where I live it's mostly Christen and Muslim...(The part of Sydney.) Some Chinese religions and thats about it...

Originally posted by Hinotori The Sabbath is considered a day of rest (the 7th day when G-d rested - Christians interpreted it as Sunday, Jews interpreted it as Friday night-Saturday night).

Just to clarify, the early Christians (who were Jews) agreed that Saturday was the seventh day when God rested. That's why Sunday is considered the first day of the week. But Christians chose Sunday as their day of worship to remember that Jesus was raised from the dead on a Sunday morning. And in the more stringent Christian sects they can't 'work' on Sunday either. I also remember reading a lot about this in the Little House on the Prairie series, among others.

Yeah I read about that...I have friends that are seventh day adventist, they have the Sabbath off and go to church then...We just go on Sunday... I know I spelt Christian wrong didn't I TJ! Bad Ebony... whack on the hand! TJ...You got your Christian eduction from "Little house on the Prairie."!!!! That was one of my fav's as a little kid!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Just to clarify, the early Christians (who were Jews) agreed that Saturday was the seventh day when God rested. That's why Sunday is considered the first day of the week. But Christians chose Sunday as their day of worship to remember that Jesus was raised from the dead on a Sunday morning. And in the more stringent Christian sects they can't 'work' on Sunday either. I also remember reading a lot about this in the Little House on the Prairie series, among others.

I stand corrected! I guess I should have realized that... It does make perfect sense! Little House on the Prairie is one of my favorites children's book series (probably right behind Harry Potter). I just re-read the entire series only a couple years ago. You get a whole new perspective when you read it as an adult.

Ack!! Did I just say I was an adult?? Bad Hinotori, bad!! Where's that Toys 'R Us jingle? Oh, here it is... I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R Us kid.....

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne TJ...You got your Christian eduction from "Little house on the Prairie."!!!! That was one of my fav's as a little kid!

Well, that, and going to Sunday school. But we Lutherans weren't as strict as Little House on the Prairie.

Originally posted by Hinotori Little House on the Prairie is one of my favorites children's book series (probably right behind Harry Potter). I just re-read the entire series only a couple years ago. You get a whole new perspective when you read it as an adult.

Me too! Of course I have an EXCUSE.... because I've been reading to my daughter. But is it truly and excuse if I'm reading ahead? I hope to introduce her to A Little Princess next, and then Harry Potter.

LOL -- it must be the season. I've just started reading Little House to my daughter. (My son enjoys listening too, which is good; if girls get to do everything, why do boys have to miss out on girl books?) Yeah, when you know more about the rest of the world, the books seem wonderful in a different way, and they're a great way to learn about that part of the world. Have you read her "A Family Collection"? It's essays she wrote, describing her house in the Ozarks, with Almanzo's modern plumbing (she was likely envied by the women who had to carry water from the well), and how to feed chickens properly (she was well-known as a good hen-keeper) and her trip to the World's Fair? She was a columnist in the local paper, writing for adults (not "adults", but adults) in addition to a children's author. One of my friends in high school was Scottish Presbyterian, and he couldn't do any work on Sunday, including going somewhere that would make someone else work. Nosey me asked about medical emergencies, and he thought I was being ridiculous, of course you could have them treated, and doctors could be on call. The two boys in his family also helped cook Sunday dinner; it was usually eggs, as opposed to the "woman works just as hard as any other day, cooking the Sunday Dinner". I love seeing how different religions (and not just the Jewish-Christian-Muslim group) celebrate similar events. It's like convergent / divergent evolution. The Brothers Grimm were very spiritual Christians. Wilhelm's Bible is on display, and it's heavily annotated. One interpretation is that he emphasized the Christian themes in the folk tales he recorded, but a minister who took a seminar on it claims the themes are actually universal-religious, things like the healing power of nature, justice, karma, and being good to others. (I love the second storytelling Guild. The topics are only rarely religious, but they're not afraid of it either. One time the topic was telling stories from the Bible, with a wonderful version of Rachel washing the Lord's feet, as told by the host the day later. "Jakob, it was awful! Heresy, in my own house! I should have listened to my wife and never invited him. But you know the worst part, Jakob? I believed Him!")

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne You guys know so much about this, I can see there are big jewish populations in your areas. Where I live it's mostly Christen and Muslim...(The part of Sydney.) Some Chinese religions and thats about it...

Toronto is a very multi-cultural city. In 2004 it was voted as the 2nd most multi-cultural city in the world (after Miami which as a large Latino/Cuban population). In Toronto's case, it has many different cultures/races from all over the world. My local ATM bank machine has the following language options: English, French (naturally - that's normal for Canada) but also Chinese and a couple other languages I'm not so familiar with (probably Hebrew and/or Yiddish and Russian). This is one of the aspects that I like about Toronto. You can experience the world in one city.

Originally posted by Hinotori Ack!! Did I just say I was an adult?? Bad Hinotori, bad!! Where's that Toys 'R Us jingle? Oh, here it is... I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R Us kid.....

You know it's great going into Toy's R'us...besides the fact the formula is cheaper than anywhere else... DH and I are planning what toys we would like...aahhhh oopppssss our daughter would like. He seems to think she would like a remote control race car...mmm I said Barbie wins every time...maybe he could compromise and get the race car in pink.... hey sosai...Sydney is very multicultural.

Well I did some Xmas shopping yesterday and went to put them in Mum's car's trunk when..."What's this?"... I pulled out a naked Luke Skywalker doll that I used to own & forgot about...then mum tells me that she found a box of all my old dolls from the '70's in the basement. So I thought ..."Alright! Vintage toys! $$$$...because I took really good care of my dolls. They might have a little basement smell, but they should be in good condition other wise....Right?... *sigh* My bubble was burst...when mum says, "Your sister gave them all the same hair cut...." AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I had Luke & Leia, Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Donnie & Marie....not just Barbie.... I could cry...*starts banging head against wall*

Well.... at least Luke is naked. Maybe he and Farrah were getting it on...

ROTFL! All those years alone in the toy box alone together...(a smut fic is waiting for that one...) How about the same thing happening to the Eagle and Swan dolls...*grins* "Oh Luke your plastic hurrrhummm is so hard, I just can't get enough of you..." The Farrah doll calls out as they finnish another long night of passion... "Farrah, your a beautiful doll...wouldn't it be good if you had a hole like other dolls...The force is with us..." Luke looks at Farrah full of hope...

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne How about the same thing happening to the Eagle and Swan dolls...*grins*

You know, once I had an idea for a Toy Story style fic featuring the Gatch dolls. But once I got past the two of them realizing that they were toys, and Barbie mistaking 'Ken' for her dream man, I ran out of ideas...

Awww TJ that would have been a fun ficcie! You may need to rehash that one

A Gatchaman doll story would be interesting especially when you consider the Japanese Festival of Dolls... Hinamatsuri

There is a doll artist that has made the most awesome dolls...I'll look through my books and scan in the pics.

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne Awww TJ that would have been a fun ficcie! You may need to rehash that one

Give me some more ideas so it isn't a one-liner and I'll see....

oh so when Barbie goes after Ken, and the pink skirt Swan doll and the Black Swan doll get jealous...but then the noir Swan doll discovers the Condor doll is more to her liking... So now it up to the pink Swan doll to get Barbie interested in the other Ken doll...Nothing is working and the Eagle doll is still clueless as to why they are both fighting with each other... So The Swan gets her own pink toy motorbike from the little girl who owns them all... But then one day the little girls friends comes over and kidnaps the Swan doll...the Eagle doll goes on a mission to save her, but he needs a G-1 Jet...the little girls brother has one and the dolls have to find a way to get to his room...the brother also owns a G-2 machine...since the black Swan has the pink Swans pink motorbike, she steps into action...3 Thats when they find out the boy has G-5 and G-4...

ROTFL.... you're too funny, Ebony! I'll have to see what I can come up with.

Ohhhh! A fic will be born while TJ is on vaction. I can see this discussion continuing after Christmas with your visit.

I will DEFINITELY be writing fics on vacation. I wrote a bunch of Prom Night and planned out Memoirs of A Swan with Springie wile we were on vacation in June. This trip is longer (and I won't be having late night giggle fests on the balcony every night ), so I'm expecting to get a bunch of handwritten pages done. As to what fic that will be... I'm not entirely sure yet. Perhaps my long postponed Superhero fic... I don't know.

We still have giggle fests...just not on the balcony...lol I am sure Ebony will inspire you while you are "down under"! I can't wait to read the results!

Originally posted by Springie We still have giggle fests...just not on the balcony...lol

Too true! And it's been too long! We'll have to arrange something... Heck, I'm giggling right now, just thinking about it!

So am I!!! We have DH's for baby sitters right!!! Grins...

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne So am I!!! We have DH's for baby sitters right!!! Grins...

I like the way you think, Ebony...