The Children's Menorah
In December 2001, Faith's Sunday School classmates expressed a desire to do something special for the church in memory of Faith. At the suggestion of the minister, the children elected to purchase a Chanukah menorah, as Faith's funeral took place during that Jewish holiday. We are deeply grateful to the UUCR and its members for this honor.
This is no ordinary menorah:
- First, the menorah is based on a remarkable true story, depicted in a wonderful children's book by Marci Stillerman entitled Nine Spoons. Nine Spoons is set in a Nazi concentration camp and focuses on a group of women and small children. One of the children wishes to celebrate Chanukah, which she knows will occur soon. This alone is an incredible notion, considering the surroundings. Equally incredible is the solution that one inmate proposes. "Bring me nine spoons", she says, "and I can make a menorah". Throughout the book, the menorah is referred to as the "children's menorah". This inspirational story teaches great lessons about faith and the true meaning of Chanukah.
- Second, the menorah was crafted by Fred Finkel, a talented siversmith and goldsmith from Marblehead, MA. Inspired by the story of Nine Spoons, Fred's creation is an important ceremonial piece for the UUCR.
- Third, the effort to raise the necessary funds for the menorah was led by Faith's classmates themselves. This truly is the church's own Children's Menorah.
The menorah was dedicated on November 24, 2002:
