Ruby Gubitz proudly held up her new blue home-made menorah. The 5-year-old painted the base and inserted candles during the Home Depot Hanukkah Experience on Sunday, Dec. 15. Ruby also got to spend some quality time with her grandparents Charlene and Jeff.
“It was lots of fun,” said Charlene Gubitz. “It was lovely—you can’t beat this. We’re always looking for things to do with our grandkids.”
“They got everything,” said Jeff Gubitz. “They got latkes, they got gelt, they got aprons.”
The Gubitz family was among nearly 600 children and adults who participated in the event, now in its 12th year. It was a bonding experience for other extended families, too. Aliza Bregman brought her nephews Shlomo, 5, and Chaim, 2, to build menorahs. Lauren Fahy’s daughter Jordyn, 5, did most of the work on her menorah.
“You did all the hammering,” Lauren Fahy said. “Mommy didn’t even have to help. You’re a strong girl!”
After finishing his menorah, Mendel Hack, 4 (and his father Will) wiped paint off their hands and faces.
“I don’t know how that got on his face,” said Will Hack. “That means he had fun.”
Fun was the goal of the event, according to Rabbi Yosef Landa, regional director of Chabad of Greater St. Louis.
“It’s one of my favorite events,” Landa said. “There are no barriers–everybody can experience Hanukkah. It gets the kids turned on to Hanukkah, and in the spirit of the holiday. For a lot of the kids, this is their Hanukkah experience, especially people who their children otherwise would not have another Hanukkah experience. It gets them excited and its hands on. There’s nothing like teaching through hands on. Now, when Hanukkah comes, they’re going to celebrate it in a real way.”
All photos by Bill Motchan.
