Hanukkah 1999

Source: The Denver Rocky Mountain News

On December 3, 1999, the Denver Rocky Mountain News published an article on the hands-on demonstrations that RabbiYisroel Engel conducts in order to educate Jewish children aboutJewish holidays. Rabbi Engel, who teaches under the auspices ofChabad House, was recently at the Denver Academy of Torah. In hisdemonstration, Rabbi Engel brought a wine press, a centrifuge, and ahalf-pound of olives to squeeze the oil out of the olives, separatethe dross in a centrifuge, and then light the oil in a menorah. Engelthen taught the kids how to make rudimentary candles for the menorahout of beeswax. Engel has pioneered the idea of teaching Jewishtradition by making things - oil at Hanukkah, matzo bread atPassover, and shofars during the High Holy Days. Engel's system isnow used in 25 states and 20 countries and often gives modernchildren insights into ancient Jewish practices. Engel stated: "Itransport the kids back in time."