Freedom Doesn't Just Come Along with a Tree

Book excerpt: Taken from the author's life and her children's experience in school, "Freedom Doesn't Just Come Along With A Tree" is a Hanukkah story about a young boy who is the only Jewish child in a classroom adorned with holiday decorations focused on Christmas. Much to the excitement of his teacher, the boy's mother offers all the fixings for a classroom Hanukkah party. She provides a fun way for the children to learn about Hanukkah and diversity while creating tolerance. The mother brings stories, menorahs, dreidels, Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins), and music. She even cooks fresh latkes (potato pancakes) for all the children so they get a real taste of a Jewish family's Hanukkah tradition. In this holiday poem that starts as a twist on the classic "Night Before Christmas" poem, the mother is proud of her son who becomes the catalyst for tolerance and change. Through his youthful innocence, he inadvertently teaches his classmates about diversity, how it feels to be singled out, and what it means to have your rights taken away. The boy's classmates learn there are more religions than their own, as well as a diversity of holiday celebrations, each deserving of respect. EXTRA FEATURES: LATKE RECIPE: The author's delicious latke recipe has been included so you can enjoy your own tasty Hanukkah latkes at home, or at your child's school. HANUKKAH PROJECTS: Age-appropriate holiday projects along with ideas for good deeds. DREIDEL DIRECTIONS: Learn how to play the dreidel game. There's the traditional game, plus variations.