Lynnfield kids learn meaning of Hanukkah

LYNNFIELD-Dozens of children packed into the Lynnfield Public Library Tuesday to mark the beginning of Hanukkah with a story hour co-sponsored by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation of Salem.Guest reader Suzie Cheatham, a Jewish educator from the Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead, started the hour off with a bit of a Hanukkah history.?Who can tell me one thing about Hanukkah?” she asked the circle of children sitting around her, some of whom were snuggled with their stuffed animals, others in the arms of their parents. Some were off in the near distance, playing among the bookshelves.?Presents,” they shouted back.Cheatham went on to remind the students of the many other traditions associated with the Jewish holiday, such as the lighting of the menorah, eating latkes (potato pancakes), and the meaning behind singing Hanukkah songs. She read two books, “Hanukkiyah For Dina” by Floreva Cohen and “The Chanukkah Story” by Eric Kimmel to further explain the culture.Following story time, children got to munch on homemade latkes as they made festive hats out of paper, glitter, and pieces of gold chocolate.?I think it?s great,” said Debbie Coltin, Executive Director of the Lappin Foundation. “We wanted to bring the Hanukkah celebrations to children here in Lynnfield. It?s an opportunity for them to meet each other and hear some fun stories.”This was the first year that the foundation held such an event at the Lynnfield Public Library. The organization tries to target all of the North Shore communities in hopes of keeping Jewish culture and religion alive.?Our mission is to try to keep our children Jewish,” said Amy Powell, director of Public Relations.Seven-year-old Rachel Sidmore of Lynnfield attended the story hour with her mother Debra. Rachel said lighting the menorah is the one thing she looks forward to the most at Hanukkah.The first-grader hopes that this year, she?ll get the popular Hannah Montana doll or a white horse stuffed animal. With eight days of presents, her chances are pretty good.