Something different from my usual virtual menorah: Pictures from a Chanukah party I attended tonight. Four of my seven students from last year were there, as well as one of my favorites from three years ago. And there were new children to meet. There was a ton of food, nearly all of it fried. My contribution was my home-made potato chips, which were gone long before dinner. Hours to make, minutes to eat.
It was a BYOM party: Bring your own menorah. Josh’s parents didn’t notice that line on the invitation, so I let him light my menorah. I love the look of utter concentration on his face.
This is all of the younger kids. The grinning boy in the back is my guy Andy, the host of the party, who is a lot sweeter than the tough-guy act he puts on. (The smile really gives him away.) Which is not to say he can’t be tough. Just that he can’t fool me. Andy has a motorcyle menorah. Very cool. Emily is going to be annoyed that her face is half-hidden, but this was the best of the group shots. Minus two points to Megan (tall girl, back row) for forgetting that Shehechiyanu is only said on the first night. Next to half-hidden Emily is Megan’s sister Alana, who should have been my student last year but who went to a different synagogue, and in the front row is Libby, Josh’s twin. Libby and Josh were the fifth set of boy-girl twins I had in six years of teaching. What are the odds of that? (Sorry, don’t recall the names of the other two boys, who are friends/neighbors and weren’t former students of mine. Wait–the little one is Anthony, I think.)
One more picture of Josh concentrating. Lighting candles is serious business when you’re a fifth grader.
I had a wonderful time. I’m still smiling. And the kids all got (sigh) taller. But it was lovely seeing them and their parents.
Man I wish I had some Latkes.