Jewish Christmas Presents?

Accommodating cultural diversity at Christmas is becoming commonplace in America. Inter-faith marriages pose a most curious dilemma. For instance, your Christian child marries a Jewish spouse and they're coming to your home for Christmas morning. What do you do? Include them in your gift list!

Moishe Rosen seems to agree when he wrote an article entitled "Christmas Is a Jewish Holiday (or at least it should be)". He reiterates that Jesus is Jewish and stresses "some of us Jews join with the rest of the world to honor him-he is the world's oldest living Jew-since he is still alive."

So, when you're shopping this Christmas, remember, "Giving presents is a very Jewish thing to do" and include your Jewish friends and family on the list of who you'll be buying for.

Menorah ($20 and up)
A new son-in-law recently received a Hanukah Menorah for Christmas from his mother-in-law and it is a cherished gift. It will become a family heirloom and is cherished as a symbol of the new couple's heritage. Though she is Christian theirs is a mutual heritage in that the Menorah or candelabrum is a symbol referenced in both the Torah and the Holy Bible. A seven-branched candelabrum likely represented the seven days of creation. The Temple Menorah was the most important ritual object in the Temple of Jerusalem until the Romans stole it. The rededication of the temple in the second century BCE is the origin of the Hanukah celebration. During the rededication, the seven oil lamps of the Menorah burned for eight days on one day's worth of oil! This is the origin of the nine branched Menorah, with one branch for each of the eight days of the holiday, plus one central light used to light the others during the Hanukah festival when every evening the Menorah lighting ceremony is performed.

Menorah's can be found ranging in price from $20 and upwards into the thousands of dollars. They are made in a variety of materials including blown glass, painted wood, ceramic, silver, gold, and other metals. A wooden hand painted travel Hanukkah Menorah of Emanuel was recently found for $20 on eBay. The Jewish Source offers a metal menorah depicting 9 tulips with ladybugs lounging on the stems for $225. The Jewish Source also offers a very contemporary depiction of the Tree of Life as a Menorah in silver and gold plating for $98. Whimsical menorah can be found at Hadad Brothers including one with a scene from Fiddler on the Roof for just under $98. For the motorcycle-riding enthusiast, The Jewish Source offers a unique Motorcycle Menorah for $65.

Challah Cover (under $100)
When the Jews traveled for forty years in the desert, they were fed with manna, "bread from heaven" which rained down upon them each day. The manna would fall early in the morning and be protected by layers of dew. Challah is traditionally a braided white bread served on the Sabbath and holidays in a ceremony of remembrance. The challah are covered on the Shabbat (Sabbath) table by a decorative challah cover or a white napkin, which represents the dew that collected on the manna in the morning.

Glorious heirloom quality Challah Covers can be beautifully framed and hung in a home where Judaism is not traditionally practiced. Choose a challah cover made of velvet, satin, cotton, silk or natural fibers. For a personal touch add an embroidered name or phrase at Hasofer's where prices range from $29 to $55. Hadad Brothers offers a number of beautiful covers for just under $28. A Challah Cover intertwined with a silver thread and beads is offered at The Israeli Online Shop for $35. A colorfully embroidered silk Challah Cover is available at the Jewish Source for $60.

Dreidels ($6 and up)
Dreidels (spinning tops) are played with during Hanukkah and come in many different versions and materials. For actual play, OyToys offers a box which includes 5 fun and unique dreidels, plus two launchers for just under $6.00 or a canister of 100 for $18.

For dreidel collectors you can expect to see prices upwards into hundreds for one dreidel. The Judaica Gift Store offers an Old City Olive Wood Dreidel for just under $40. Limoges has dreidels selling for about $180.

In the case of the Jewish son-in-law that inspired this article, or any others like him, a Wedding Dreidel is offered for just under $80 at Traditions Jewish Gifts. It is handcrafted from brass, copper and colored fused glass. It has a heart shape design, with Ani Li Dodi v Dodi Li (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine) written in gold.