“But, Daddy, we can’t have Chanukah without a menoreh’” Yosaif complained in his native Rus- sian. “Sorry, Yosaf, | still don't have a job. We can't buy anything except food and other necessities.” “But, Daddy — we could buy a cheap little menorah, can’t we?” ““\ don’t like cheap things. Maybe next year we'll be able to do it right.” This was the first conversation between father and son regarding Chanukah, but it was not the last. Boris Brodsky and his family had been in America only a few months after waiting for over two years for permission to leave Russia. He and his wife, Riva, sent their children, Yosaif and Dina, to a special yeshiva established for newly arrived Russian children. The parents had grown up in a country where it was a crime to observe Judaism. They had not been able to keep many mitzvos, but they wanted their children to be dif- ferent. Why had Boris refused to buy even an inexpensive tin menorah? There was a reason he had not 4 OLOMEINY wanted to tell little Yosaif. Boris had dreamt that his family was gathered together in their Moscow apartment, ready to kindle the Chanukah candles. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and fear spread over everyone's faces. It was the KGB! The dreaded secret police had somehow discovered that @ Jewish family was engaged in “counter-revolutionary” activities. Borls and Riva were arrested, He was sent to a Siberian prison camp, and she wes warned. Boris awoke trembl- ing and sweating. He looked around and remembered that he was in ‘America now. He breathed a sigh of relief and went back to sleep, but he could not rid himself of the fear he had grown up with. Maybe — even in America — Jews were not safe. The next morning, Boris told his son, “Yosaif, even though we are no longer in Russia, it would still be wise not to broadcast the fact that we are Jewish. One never knows. We can’t light the Chanukah candles. i'm sor- ‘But this is America,” Yosaif ex- by Rabbi Zewulun Weisberger claimed, “the land of freedom! Here anyone can do as he pleases. Let us show everyone that we are free to practice our religion. Still shaken by his nightmare, Boris didn’t answer. The next day, Dina approached her father with the same request. Boris surprised her by answering, “Let us go to the Hebrew book store and see how much a menorah costs. But | can’t promise you anything.” Yosaif and Dina had high hopes when they went to the store and looked at one beautiful menorah after another. But their enthusiasm dimmed when they heard the prices. Inflation had hit Chanukah, too. Boris left the store saying, “Sorry, kids. | can’t afford a decent menorah, These American kids are rich, and they can pay the high prices. We have to save our nickels and dimes to buy food and to pay the rent.” There were tears in the children’s eyes. “But, Daddy, our teachers said that every jew must have a menorah, We will be the only ones in townwho don’t light the candles!” Boris was annoyed. “In. Russia there are thousands who don’t even know that Chanukah exists. At least you learned all about it. That is something, isn't it” “But, Dadcy, didn’t we come to America so we coud be free to be Jewish?” “told you already — | don’t think it’s a smart idea to tell the whole world we are Jewish. Why look for trouble?” “But, Daddy, that’s what the Chashmonoim fought f he right to be a Jaw openly! Itis nothing to be ashamed of — it is something to be very proud of!” “Children, you were too young to realize how much we went through in Russia. You don’t know, and your teachers don't know.”” They walked home in silence. The children were heartbroken. At home, Dina cried, and Yosaif said in a stubborn, cetermined way, “We'll find a way, some way... but we'll get a menorzh.” Mrs. Brodiky spoke up. “We'll make some latkes,” she sald. “That's a custom, too — isn't it?” “Latkes are fine . ..” Yosaif began “And delidous... .” added Dina. ““... but it can’t take the place of the menorah. That's the most impor- tant part,” Yosaif concluded. “Well, better something than nothing,” their mother replied. It was a few hours before Chanukah, when Mrs. Brodsky ran Upstairs saying, “We just got a letter from Cousin Yuri in Russia! Let’s see what he writes!” She tore open the letter and quickly read it. A puzzied look ap- peared on her face. “Why is he writing about cows and fruits and vegetables!” Boris smiled. “He's using the code we figured out before | left. He's, really talking about something else.” The father sat down at the desk with pencil and paper, deciphering the secret code. At last, he rose and started 10 read, “Dear Cousins, By this time, you should be set- tled in your new land. Lots of luck! Unfortunately, the oppres- sion here isstill very great. We are still afraid to observe our religion and are forbidden to even learn about it. You are now in a dif- ferent situation. You can send your children to a Jewish school, and you are fortunate enough to be able to proudly uphold the banner of Judaism. Some day, C-d willing, | hope to be there, too. Regards to the whole family. Yuri” The four new Americans looked at one another until Boris broke the silence. Come, Riva, let us go for a walk.” ‘The stars appeared; Chanukah had begun. It was a cool, clear night. “Let us take a walk around the Jewish neighborhood and see what Chanukah locks like in America,” said Boris, House after house had a menorah burning brightly. In large apartment houses, they noticed coutless menorahs spreading the Chanukah message for all to see. Needless to say, in Russia they had never seen anything like this! “And they ate not afaid of the joyim passing by?” BAihy should they bel This is ‘America, land of freedom.” “Yes, but even here, many people don’t care for Jews.” “Well, if one can't practice his religion here, where can het” “Riva, lets bring the children here tonight. They will be thrilled to see this scene!” No, Boris. It will make them feel even worse. Are you sure we can’t buy even a cheap menorahi”” After a moment's silence, Boris said, “I just remembered that I have to speak to my friend, Herschel. Pethaps you would like to visit your cousin Miriam. I'l pick you up in a little while!” “AIL right, Vl expect you in about an hour.” True to his word, an hour later Boris came to pick up his wife. He was carrying a few packages. “Let's 0. Yosaif and Dina are waiting for us!” Mrs. Brodsky replied, “You're right. It’s Chanukah. They would want us to be with them.” She picked up a shopping bag, saying, “I did some shopping while your were parents arrived home, ex- ppecting to find sad children. Instead, to their surprise, they found smiling faces. “HAPPY CHANUKAH!” the children shouted. "We have a sur- prise for you.” There was @ covered ‘object on the table. Dina removed the cover, and lo and behold — a MENORAH! Not fancy, not expen sive, but nevertheless, @ menorah! ‘The parents were truly surprised. “Where did you get itt” “Well, you see, we went to a grocery store after school and of- fered to deliver groceries foran hour ‘or two every day. We managed to save enough fora menorah, and now we can kindle the lights!” The perents laughed. Boris was rapidly opening up his package. “Look what | bought you — a MENORAHI” Yosaif and Dina ran and hugged him. “Ok, Dad, you're wonderfull | knew you would come through for usl’” Now Mom was laughing loudly. “This is too funny to be true,” she said. “Look what | bought!” She pulled something out of her shopping bag — a MENORAH! Last night it appeared certain that no Chanukan lights would adorn this household, but now the Brodsky family had THREE menoras! The small apartment with its secondhand furniture and almost empty refrigerator was filled with joy and laughter. Boris started to speak. “After I saw all those beautiful menoras in the windows, | realized that my family must not be deprived, regardless of the cost. | brought my old watch to my friend Herschel. He lent me some money on it, and there’s the menorah” “So. that's why you suddenly visited Herschel,” said Riva. “Well, when you left, I went to my cousin Miriam, sold her one of the necklaces | brought from Russia, and ran to the seforim store to buy this ene.” “Wonderful” Yosaif shouted, “We have three menoras, all bought with saciifice, Daddy and Mommy will use one, and Dina and I will use the others. it will be a bright and happy holiday.” Someone walking down the street that night might have wondered why three Chanukah lights were being kindled so late, when nearly all the other windows were dark. The answer was that those three flames proved that the flame of Judaism would never go out. ‘CLOMENU 5