Hilary Gewant, this year's BJF Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award recipient, is participating in The BJF's new Leadership Writing Project. Hilary wrote the below in connection with Chanukah, which begins Tuesday night. She and her husband, Scott, started the literacy program featured in her article.

By Hilary Gewant

"Why did the Greeks want your land?"

"What happens if one of the candles goes out?"

"How do you know the story of Chanukah?"

These were just a few of the insightful, pointed and interesting questions asked by second graders at Jefferson County's Grantswood Community School as an invited group of Birmingham Jewish Federation Literacy Team volunteers, Rabbi Eytan Yammer, of Knesseth Israel Congregation, and Caren Seligman, BJF Director of Outreach, recently presented the story of Chanukah at the school. The group answered the children's questions, recited the Chanukah prayers while lighting menorahs, taught them about the dreidel's special meaning, and then played the dreidel game with each class.

The entire second grade -- about 150 students -- was mesmerized as Rabbi Yammer told them about our wonderful holiday while strumming his guitar. In fact, the children surprised us all by singing "I Have A Little Dreidel" with him. They had been practicing with their music teacher all week. The children even stood up and spun around until they were all dizzy -- what a special moment!

In an email later that afternoon, Caren wrote, "It was so much fun for me to sit back and see the faces on the children as Rabbi Yammer explained the story of Chanukah. I loved when Rabbi Yammer was asked how he knew about the story of Chanukah and he said 'his father told him and his father told him and his father told him' and then I overheard a little boy say 'well, my father didn't tell me' -- that was priceless!"

One volunteer wrote, "What a fun filled afternoon we were able to share with our friends at Grantswood. The children asked many questions and learned about the holiday we celebrate during the Christmas season. I feel very lucky to share time with these fabulous youngsters and know that they enrich my life many times over. Thanks for all the Federation does to make the world a better place."

Another volunteer shared the following: "It was a wonderful volunteer experience for me and really gave me so much more back than I felt I contributed. I loved interacting with all the kids and experiencing them soak in the new information they received about something they knew virtually nothing about. So happy I decided to volunteer in this Federation program."

Everything went so well that Mrs. Jane DeMeis, Grantswood's reading coach, asked Caren if we could come back and teach the first grade about Chanukah this coming week. Her message said, "The first grade teachers approached me wanting to see if one person could come share a little about Chanukah with their classes. I think the word spread how great Friday was. The children are still talking about it."

IMMEASURABLE DIVIDENDS

A few days before the Grantswood program, another group of fantastic BJF Literacy Team volunteers, along with Joyce Spielberger, BJF Director of Community Relations, and Temple Beth-El rabbis, Michelle Goldsmith and Ira Flax, presented a similar Chanukah program at Birmingham's Glen Iris Elementary School. Last year, we were invited to speak with only the fifth grade. That program was such a success that Glen Iris principal, Dr. Michael Wilson, asked us to come back this year on one condition -- we had to teach the entire school about Chanukah! That's roughly 800 children, but we accepted the challenge -- the dividends were immeasurable!

BJF volunteer Valerie Thompson offered the following reflections on her participation in the program: "What a great way to start the day! The children listened attentively, participated enthusiastically and asked great questions such as 'Do the songs have to do with the lights?' and -- the age old and most mysterious of questions! -- 'How do you spell Chanukah?'" (There are several ways.)

Added Valerie, "It was so much fun to be with all the delightful Glen Iris students. I don't know who enjoyed it more -- them or the volunteers. It's heartening to know that, as they grow, Chanukah and the Jewish people will be familiar to these children."

UNDERSTANDING & RESPECT

At The BJF, we are sensitive to church-state issues. The Anti-Defamation League, a resource in this area, advised us that presenting these Chanukah programs in public schools was fine. As ADL explains in its manual The December Dilemma, "It is often appropriate to teach about the historical, contemporary and cultural aspects of religious holidays. From these lessons, young children often gain understanding and respect for the diverse cultures and beliefs in our country. Appropriate lessons about religious holidays could include discussions of the origins and meanings of holidays and how and when they are celebrated."

Everyday in so many ways The BJF is reaching out to the broader Birmingham community to create meaningful bridges, educate others and -- quite simply -- make new friends.

In an eloquent email after the program, Rabbi Yammer wrote, "As we were telling the Chanukah story and creating those memories, the words of the Prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) were echoing loudly: 'I, the LORD, have called unto you in righteousness, and have taken hold of your hand, and submitted you as the people's covenant, as a light unto the nations.'"

Added Rabbi Yammer, "Our light shone brightly. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the glow!"

To our Jewish readers, may your menorahs shine brightly this Chanukah; to our Christian readers, may you have a joyous Christmas. To all of you, may you and your family find peace this holiday season and may you all "glow" with happiness and fulfillment in the coming new year.

Finally, we extend a special thank you to the wonderful volunteers who not only participated in the Chanukah programs described above, but also who have devoted themselves to giving young children one of life's most precious and lasting gifts -- the ability to read.

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In above photo, BJF Literacy Team volunteers Eileen Cohn, left, and Lisa Engel help Glen Iris students light the Chanukah menorah.

Click to learn more about Chanukah.

Click for a great story from today's Birmingham News on the Glen Iris program.