The month of December can be a challenging time for the Jewish community. All around us, we are inundated by decorated trees, flashy light displays, red-nosed reindeers, stuffed stockings, and everything else that goes along with Christmas.
As a young girl, growing up in an area with a micro sized Jewish population, I always felt left out of the fun. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t have the things that my friends looked forward to and it made me sad. Yes, we had Hanukkah, of course, but it’s definitely not the same. Christmas is a major event while Hanukkah is actually a minor one. Only because of its proximity to Christmas has it taken on such significance, especially here in America. A menorah and some dreidels are a great start, but we need more, and in recent years, we are getting it, bit by bit.
Still, Hanukkah decorations and toys can be difficult to find, and what is available doesn’t always compete with the enormous range of Christmas goodies on the market. Mensch on a Bench has been a wonderful substitute for the Elf on a Shelf craze, which is awesome. Having that option is so important! Instead of being denied the experience altogether, we can delight in products that honor tradition while allowing us to partake in modern festivities.
Now, with the remarkable invention of Kris Kringlestein, the Jewish community has their own Santa! This adorable blue and white gem dances and sings in “Yinglish” (a combo of Yiddish and English) that will provide unlimited joy to those who are young and the young at heart. I think he’s the cutest and most clever thing ever! (Bonus points for the glasses and yarmulke.)
Some purists may claim that Jews should not play with a Santa at all, but I disagree. Instead of pretending this stuff isn’t cool, we need to create our own versions. And, let us not forget, that 70% of our community is intermarried and those folks are extremely torn in this regard. By gifting someone a Kris Kringlestein, that conflict is eliminated completely.
Want your very own Kris Kringlestein for Hanukkah? One lucky person will win! Enter the giveaway thru 12/15 and he could be yours.
This is the cutest thing. I love that he has on blue.
I agree that it’s so hard for the kids, especially when they’re in preschool! You can’t tell them the truth about Santa, because they’ll spill the beans to their classmates, so they’re stuck feeling bad that he doesn’t want to visit them, like he does their friends. Plus — trees, twinkly lights, and the rest.
On the one hand, I resent feeling like I have to add a bunch of nonsense in an effort to make Hanukkah “competitive” with Christmas. On the other? I don’t want my kid to be miserable, and, let’s face it, mumbling in Hebrew and lighting a candle isn’t exactly a child’s dream, even if you add donuts. Elf on the Shelf has always struck me as creepy and a hassle, so no Mensch on the Bench in our house. My daughter loved the (hilarious!) book ‘Hanukkah With Uncle Reuben: Not Santa but Not Bad,’ so we’re having presents delivered by Uncle Reuben this year.
For me, I want to give the kids a great holiday experience, but I struggle so much to find a balance between what’s our tradition and what’s not. Pre-school age and younger is very tough to explain complex issues like these, but even with teens, they seem to have a problem. Guess there is no perfect solution. Thanks for the “Uncle Reuben” book tip – haven’t heard of that one.
I have daughters, ages 2 and 4 years old, that would love this! My 4 year old daughter has been asking me for Hanukkah decorations, since we don’t have much. This would be a perfect item to include as a tradition every Hanukkah as we celebrate with family.
That is awesome!
I love this…it is the cutest
My husband love this. He is Jewish and has never heard of it!
It’s only been on the market for about a year, so very new.
I’d love to have one of this!
This is great have a Jewish relitive that would love it to death
This is so cute!
It’s even cuter in person
Who is the lucky winner? I was hoping to win this for my little girls.
I used to do a separate announcement for every giveaway winner until someone became very upset and asked me not to publish their name or email on the blog. If you win a giveaway, I will email you directly. Hope that’s ok!
Oy. I would be so happy to win a giveaway Well if I win, you can post my name and even a photo of me. Haha. :I hope you had a wonderful Hanukkah! 🙂
You are very refreshing! I have a lot of giveaways planned for 2018, so definitely check back. I wish every single entry could be a winner. Hope you had a nice holiday too.