What does Ira Riklis do for the holidays, besides skiing? Well for one, his holiday is celebrated in Jewish style, not Christmas but Hanukkah. Ira Riklis is active in many Jewish organizations.
Did you know?
- Jewish kids to get eight surprise gifts, one per night.
- Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, begins each year on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev, which this year falls on the 12th of December or at sundown on the 11th and centers around the Menorah.
- Contributions are made to the poor, small gifts as well as Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for money), are exchanged on each of the eight nights, games are played and special food served.
- Jews play a traditional game – spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top. Depending on which side it lands, the player either wins or gives up part of his stash of goodies “” gold-wrapped chocolate coins, nuts, raisins, real coins or other markers.
- Like most holidays, delicious food is part of the celebration. Popular dishes include: potato pancakes, (latkes) served with applesauce and/or sour cream.
- Treats include Hanukkah cookies.
- The traditional Hanukkah song is “Maoz Tsur”
Happy Hanukkah to the Riklis family and to everyone!