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How I Decided to Go to The Chanukah Board Meeting with THE MENSCH* ON A BENCH

12/13/2022

2 Comments

 
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Last week my phone rang showing a number I did not recognize. I answered it anyway because you know, sometimes you just do. The conversation went something like this:
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​Me: Hello?
 
A Voice said: 
Hello! A couple of years ago you helped my friend The Elf on the Shelf spread his message on social media, so I’m calling hoping you can give ME a little help. 
 
Me: Uh, who is this?

Voice:  I’m Moshe, THE MENSCH ON A BENCH. Like Elf, I try to remind Jewish people  - actually all people - to be thoughtful, kind, and considerate.
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The Mensch: I’m hoping you will come with me to this year’s Chanukah Board Meeting! In case you don’t know, it’s when THE JEWISH BIG FOUR meet to find ways to make sure Chanukah will be meaningful, joyous, and fun. They are always trying hard to be heard above the jingle bells and songs about Rudolph!
(I was intrigued – How does he know Elf? Who are the BIG FOUR? And back then did I actually agree to help spread the word?)
Me: Go on.
 
Mr. M: This is my first year, and I have a really good suggestion. Come with me and you can put it in your blog about the importance of being a Mensch! 
​
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And that’s how I ended up at
​THE CHANUKAH BOARD MEETING. 

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Here’s what happened:

When we walked in, I could hardly believe it - In attendance was the entire Chanukah gang – Sharon/David/Hannah/and Leo.  I sat quietly and waited.
 
The meeting was called to order by the Chairwoman, Sharon.
 
She said a quick hello and reminded everyone this was to be a short meeting, so no refreshments. Then, she asked each board member to introduce themselves. She started:

I’m Sharon Shamis, the lead candle, The Head of the Festival of Light

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She looked to her left and nodded to the blue guy:

Hello - I’m David Dreidel, the playful one, he said.

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​He was twisting and turning and suddenly, he dropped. Then he looked up and smiled. Ha! he laughed; I just landed on GIMMEL!  
 
Sharon nodded to the next member:

How do you do … board members and guests, Because I have nine branches for the Chanukah candles, my real name is Hannah Hanukieh. Then she smiled shyly, and added, but I also answer to the name ‘Menorah!

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Then Sharon motioned to the last one …,

Hi! I’m Leo Latke - Sometimes known as “Leo ‘the grate’!” Get it? – Grate - as in potato! Everybody likes me - whether with apple sauce or sour cream!  And no worries, I’ll bring the refreshments next time!

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​Sharon opened the meeting by reviewing the last year’s discussion regarding the proper spelling of the word ‘Chanukah’- whether with a C or an H and if there are double k’s. She announced it was decided that it makes no difference how you spell the name of the holiday as long as it brings people together to celebrate! 
 
​Then she continued: “Today’s topic, presented by The Mensch on a Bench,” is  

“Why should Jewish kids
get a present every night of Chanukah?” 

​And so, Moshe began:
Thank you for this opportunity. We all know non-Jewish kids get lots of gifts this time of year. So, it’s only natural that Jewish families are thinking: ‘Let’s keep our kids happy – we’ve got eight nights, give them eight gifts!’   ​
​Even though the group looked at him suspiciously, he continued:
I think that Hanukah presents should be a HOLIDAY REWARD FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR, and I’ll tell you why. Lately, instead of sitting in houses, this Mensch on a Bench ventured out. That’s how I’ve realized people just aren’t behaving.
 
  • I sat on a BENCH in the park. There big kids were pushing little ones out of their way on the slide. The adults just stood around talking.
  • On the BENCH at the bus stop, parents who came to pick up their kids shouted at the bus driver because he didn’t always stop close enough to the curb.
  • And from the BENCH at the baseball game…? Oy! Parents and coaches kept yelling at each other. The kids started yelling, too
​He paused and smiled at me: 
So, here’s what I propose: 
EVERY night, after the Hanukah candles are lit, parents say:
Now that the candles are shining bright,
let’s each have a turn telling of a time when he or she
was considerate and did something nice for others.’
​“ACT LIKE A MENSCH – you get a gift!”
​Then he sat down.

At first everyone was quiet. Then David Driedel started spinning. That was amazing, he said. I completely agree with The Mensch. Even Hannah was impressed. So sensible! she said. Thank YOU, Moshe

A vote was called. All agreed to include the suggestion on the candle boxes next year! Sharon Shamis banged the gavel to end the gathering.

​      I was glad I had come. It was an honor to meet the BIG FOUR, and so I’m happily spreading Moshe’s message:  
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BE A MENSCH –
teach it, live it, insist on it –
especially at Chanukah

​I do have to admit one thing, though…  I was a little disappointed Leo didn’t get to serve latkes – Apple Sauce, please.
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HAPPY CHANUKAH!
Loretta​
*Mensch: (Yiddish) a person of integrity and dignity, with a sense of what is right and responsible.
2 Comments

KEEP USING ZOOM AND FACE TIME!

4/12/2020

0 Comments

 
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​ “People Who Need People 
Are the Luckiest People in the World”
Can we talk? I think it’s time we discussed the proliferation of video conferencing tools – read that as Zoom and FaceTime. I’ve been using FaceTime for quite a while to catch up with friends and call my grandkids in other states. 
​
But, I have to admit something. Lately, I’ve become a little more self-conscious. One time after dialing in on FaceTime and waiting for an answer, my husband caught me studying the screen, trying to rearrange my wrinkles and tilt my head so my neck looked smoother.

"I THINK FACETIME WAS INVENTED BY PLASTIC SURGEONS!"

“Whoa! Why are you making faces at the screen?” he asked. I shrugged innocently and stared back at the phone, hoping someone would answer before he would figure it out. 

Too late.
​
“You know,” he laughed, “I think FaceTime was invented by plastic surgeons! ‘Let’s see... we could tighten here and tuck there… Should work fine!’” He shook his head and walked away smiling. Of course. I couldn’t help it. It’s just that until someone answers the phone, all I see is a closeup of… ME!  ​
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And now... in the midst of the social-distancing edict with the Coronavirus, I suddenly find myself Zooming and Face-Timing more than ever! (I’ve even made them into verbs). We have to connect – whether for work or family and friends, and so I often find myself saying, “Who is that person in the picture with the dark roots and the sagging jowls?”
​
​
(Actually, I’m beginning to favor that multi-participant Zoom meeting when the picture is so small you can hardly recognize who it is, much less notice the roots and count the wrinkles.) 

BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS!


​Oh, wait! I’ve just found the command on Zoom that if you click on the down arrow next to the little video camera icon, there is a box called ‘touch up my appearance’

Needless to say, I just tried it. Huh? Was there a difference? I’m waiting to see Angelina Jolie, and to me I look exactly like I did before I pressed the button! Hold on… I know, I’ll ‘unclick’ and go back and try it again (You know these quirky computers).
​
Nope – me, again. Oh well, I’ve decided to like me.  

​After all, at least once my grandkids answer, I’m reminded that they don’t see wrinkles;  they just see their loving Grammie, and I get to see a window into their lives in that moment. It often looks something like this:
My two-year-old granddaughter grabs the phone and 
immediately hangs up.

My five-year-old granddaughter explains the solar system 
and asks me if I know when Pluto was declared a non-planet.
​
My eight-year-old grandson shows me how he uses the Anamoji App 
to change the image of himself on the phone. So instead of his face, I am talking to 
a lion, a teddy bear, smoke-breathing dragon or a skeleton. 
Or sometimes all of those - every 5 seconds!

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My twelve-year-old granddaughter talks to me 
while finessing her Tik-Tok video for You Tube, 
which often involves a running cartwheel.

My fourteen-year-old grandson holds the phone up to his nose 
and asks if I can see any boogers.

My seventeen-year-old granddaughter says,
 “Hi, Grammie. I’ve got to go study.”
​

And I love every word they say and every action they offer, even the booger hunting.

You are an Important Part of Your Grandchild's Life

So, whether you are calling friends or whether you are Grammy, Nana, PopPop, Bubbie, MeMaw, or BobaLou, get used to using video conferencing.

You are an important part of your grandchild’s life, and they are certainly an important part of yours.  And whether you read stories, share a laugh, or just want to be part of a Tuesday evening, a FaceTime or Zoom call brings excitement, connection, and shows your thoughtfulness and love.

[…and it also shows a huge close up. Hmm, come to think of it, maybe next time I’ll try the Panda Bear on the Animoji app - or maybe I can invite more tiny-picture people to share in a Zoom call!]  
​

 Loretta
0 Comments

Parents: Play "What is it?" With Your Kids

2/11/2016

0 Comments

 
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There was quite a buzz a couple of years ago at The Nashville Antique and Garden Show. It had to do with creative thinking!

I share it with you because these are the kinds of things you should be asking your kids.
There was a sign posted at the front of one of the booths:
“What should we do with these two wooden columns?”
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They were about 6 feet tall and rather weathered. It caused a lot of conversation, and I loved it! People stopped and stared; some even walked around the columns. Then the ideas were offered:

  • “Cut them in half, and make a coffee table.”
  • “Put glass shelves in between and make a bookcase.”
  • “A giant could use them for barbells!” (This gets extra credit!)
  • “Chop them up for kindling for a fire!”
  • “Paint faces on them and make totem poles.”
Etc..
 
You parents should be doing things like this around your house. Challenge your kids to think ‘out of the box,’ and turn it into a fun game.

I always keep the question of “What is it?” in mind when I’m with kids. It is great when you are waiting at the table in a restaurant, driving long distances, or when you are just out for a walk.  Find something – anything – and pick it up; look at it from all sides; say out loud, “What is it?” and then you give the first answer.

Then hand it to the person next to you. Here’s an example:

You are out walking and pick up a stick. Say, “What is it?” Take time to look at it from all sides. Then give your answer… (for example) “An arrow!” and pretend to shoot it with a bow.
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Try to always be aware of the things around you. Talk about them with your kids. And then, put them to a different use!

Then hand it to your child for his turn and pass it around to all who are there. (Yes, adults can have fun with this, too.) There are no real wrong answers – just some that are more creative.

Someone may simply say, “It’s a stick!”  You can accept it but encourage broader thinking next time as you play. Soon everyone gets into it.

You take it and say, “A cane!”  and pretend you walk slowly and need the help of a walking stick.

Next time, your child might say, “A sword,” and swing it around like Darth Vader!
Continue back and forth for a few minutes and watch the creative ideas flow. It’s exciting! It’s fun! And it will give you a little insight into your child’s spatial imagination.
Try to always be aware of the things around you. Talk about them with your kids. And then, put them to a different use!

What usually happens with me now is that out of nowhere my grand kids will look at me with a twinkle and a smile as they pick up something and say, ​“What is it?”

It's easy and it's fun - and it doesn't cost anything! Enjoy your creative thinking and watch your kids' eyes shine! Send me some stories about the creative ideas that popped up.

​~Loretta~
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    Author

    Loretta Saff, M.A., CPC, CPRC
    As an active writer, both nationally and internationally, Loretta Saff's humor columns, blog, and lifestyle articles reflect an insight in dealing with situations that helps people get to their core issues and encourage confidence, trust and support.

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  • Get Started
    • You + Coaching
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    • About Loretta
    • Emotional Freedom Technique - a Healing Tool
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    • Create Your Own Retirement Adventure
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    • Make Happy a Habit
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