An Advent Calendar - 24. Door#24 - A Light for Jacob

A Light for Jacob

“You forgot Jacob, Mrs. McClain!” Adam yelled, waving his hand.

“Manners, Adam! Please don’t shout out in class,” the teacher scolded.

“I’m sorry, but Jacob hasn’t picked a name yet, and you just said we’re all done.” He glanced at the boy in the row next to him. He didn’t know much about the new addition to their fifth grade class, only that the boy kept mainly to himself.

Most of the class thought Jacob was odd. He wore a small, round, black cap over his ebony curls and dressed very plainly. He used funny words sometimes and didn’t play any sports. Jacob brought strange food for lunch, and always politely refused snacks when offered.

“I didn’t forget Jacob, Adam. He’s Jewish and won’t be participating in the Christmas gift exchange per his parents’ request.” Mrs. McClain turned to the chalkboard after instructing the class to produce their math homework. A chorus of groans followed the order.

Jacob lowered his head and quickly wiped away the tear that slid down his cheek, hoping no one noticed. Adam had, however, and his heart lurched at the other boy’s distress. He had a difficult time focusing on his classwork. His thoughts were of black curls, brown eyes, and how it felt to be excluded. He wondered what it meant to be Jewish, and why the boy couldn’t participate in the gift exchange anyway.

Adam usually spent his time after school playing with friends, watching TV, or doing his homework; however, that afternoon he headed to the library to do some research. After finding the right section, he removed several books and sat at a table, reading for hours before realizing that he was late for dinner. His mom was not going to be happy. He checked out several books before running home.

Adam spent the next week immersed in Jewish culture. He read about their long history and traditions, crying when learning the extent to which they had been persecuted. His mother drove him to a neighboring town, where the closest synagogue was, so he could talk to the rabbi and learn more about Jewish customs. Once he felt like he had enough information, he approached his teacher with his findings and an idea to include Jacob in their holiday celebration.

Mrs. McClain felt a mixture of pride and shame when Adam presented his idea—pride at the initiative and empathy of her student, and shame that she didn’t think of it first. She immediately gave her approval, and a week later the students gaped at the transformation their classroom had undergone. Jacob had overslept that day, and was the last to enter the room.

His mouth dropped open when he saw the menorah next to the small Christmas tree, and the blue and white streamers lining the walls. “Happy Hanukkah” was written in Hebrew on the blackboard, and a giant cut-out of a dreidel was tacked on the bulletin board, surrounded by Santa and his reindeer. He took his seat as Mrs. McClain called the class to order.

“We have a special presentation today, class. Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and Adam has been working hard to bring this holiday tradition to life.” She moved to side of the classroom, resting against the wall, to observe her student.

Adam stepped to the front of the classroom clutching a handful of papers. He cleared his throat and began, shaky at first, but gaining confidence as he saw the interest on the faces of his classmates and Jacob’s beaming face.

He explained the origins of Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil. He told the class how the ancient Greeks and Syrians sought to overthrow the Jewish people, and while they first succeeded, the Greeks were ultimately overthrown. To celebrate their victory, the Jews wanted to light the menorah in the temple, but the Greeks had desecrated their holy oil. Enough remained for only one night, however, it burned brightly for eight days and nights, prompting the tradition of lighting the eight menorah candles.

Adam invited Jacob to the front of the room to light the first two candles on the menorah sitting next to the Christmas tree. Jacob smiled shyly at Adam, then said a prayer in Hebrew before lighting the candles. He lit the higher middle candle—the Shamash—first, then used it to light another candle on the left side of the menorah.

After class, Jacob approached Adam to ask him why he did it. Adam replied, “Because I know what it’s like to not fit in. I saw the look on your face during the name draw for the gift exchange and thought how unfair it was that we didn’t even acknowledge your traditions.”

Jacob thanked him, then ran from the room, not wanting the other boy to see his tears of happiness.

For the next week, Adam began each class with the lighting of the menorah, followed by other Hanukkah traditions—such as learning songs and playing the dreidel game. He even talked his mother into helping him make traditional Hanukkah food. He made sure to talk to the rabbi to ensure he was remaining Kosher.

After that first day, something remarkable happened to Jacob. He was no longer the outsider. Adam invited him to sit at his table during lunchtime and meet his friends. It was the first time that he felt like he truly belonged, and it led to a lifetime friendship between the two boys.

Link to the dreidel song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETPlDKT4hdM

Recipe for latkes:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/potato-latkes-358347

Recipe for brisket:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/221041/wine-braised-beef-brisket/?internalSource=hn_carousel