Dec. 10, 2020 — We’re delighted to wish all our Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah on this first night of eight that menorahs will be lit throughout the world.
Weeks ago, within minutes of receiving the Cardie Newsletter introducing the card above, Contributing Cardie Liza Greenberg emailed to say, “So happy … I just ordered my Hanukkah cards! I love them.” Knowing a little about Liza, we felt she’d be the perfect person to tell us what the Festival of Lights means to her.
Liza is a tenured English professor at Miami Dade College. On Rate My Professor, student reviews read like, “Professor Greenberg is an amazing person. She takes care of her students.” And, “She will teach you the material as well as how to act like an adult. If you are disorganized, always late and think the world owes you, Professor Greenberg’s class is not for you! But if you are serious and you want to be treated like a future professional, you will really appreciate her.”
Between her Creative Writing classes, Liza wrote, “In my earliest memories of Hanukkah are presents, potato pancakes, and lighting candles. The best part was that it lasted eight days. I always felt special when my parents let me light the candles. The fire warmed me inside and out. I recall walking in the New York City winter cold, looking up at the windows and seeing so many festive lights. Some windows framed Christmas trees, some lit menorahs. It was all about the light.
“These days, I have a year-round reminder of the tradition and festival of lights, and of my beloved Grandma Eva. My Grandma Eva had an antique oil-burning menorah that somehow ended up in my possession.
“Its provenance is shrouded by the years. Perhaps it was passed down from Grandma Eva’s grandmother, my great-great! Maybe it is from lands across the sea. It is hand-made from copper with a beautiful teal patina. I have never used it. Not even quite sure how!
“The menorah always occupies a special place where I can see it daily. It keeps me company all year – a special artifact of my love for Grandma Eva’s big, bright, and beautiful heart, and the light she still is. And maybe this year, I will figure out a way to light it and celebrate all that is good and warm and light.”
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hanukkah Liza. You being such a well respected professor and one who is teaching the future leaders how to live life well reflects who you are in and out of the classroom. Best wishes always. Your Grandma Eva’s menorah is a priceless inheritance. I miss sharing time on the patio. Stay well.
Wonderful memories and photos!
To light one of the classic oil lamp menorahs, you fill the little sockets with oil and add a wick. I was just in a Jewish grocery store and saw wicks and oil on display along with menorahs, dreidels, and decorations. Happy Hanukkah!
Liza what a heartwarming story. The artifacts we have handed down from b previous
Family members is a lifeline to them. I hope you have someone I
In the younger generation who will treasure the menorah and pass it on to the generation after him or her. That is why I love the Patricia Polacco books eg
The Keeping Quilt
Teresa
Thank you all and wishing you much love and light. I lit Grandma Eva’s menorah tonight without burning my building down! LOL. It was extra special sharing it with our Cardie Community. I will pass it on to my beloved nephew, Stefan, who is a front-line ICU nurse in New Orleans.
A couple years ago we went to the Christmas Stroll in Bozeman MT. On one corner was a group of people singing. As we stopped to listen, one of the group gave us a song sheet and invited us to sing along. They sang a verse in Hebrew and then in English. Their singing was beautiful ( ours not so much), but it was great to be part of it. After the singing, the Rabbi spoke for a few minutes, and then hot sugared donut type treats were offered to all. They were giant, delicious confections. The Rabbi gave us a box of Hanukkah candles with a holder. It is one of our treasured decorations now, also a treasured memory.
Happy Hanukkah to all!