While this story actually happened in 2016, I started to tell it here in 2019, but it has taken me until 2021 to actually do it! I guess I wrote this story in my head so many times that I was convinced I had posted it, but apparently not, as it is no where to be found! And since this is such a special story that we tell every Chanukah since 2016, now is a great time to share it with you my dear readers on Zot Chanukah, the 8th and finaly day of chanukah, with the most light!. Chanukah is about publicizing miracles, so while this does not qualify as a miracle it is pretty amazing, I think, so here goes!
During August of 2016 on our yearly summer travels in the USA we rented a Victorian school house vacation rental in the town of Croghan, New York. I was looking for a stop somewhere on the map between Toronto and Lake George, New York, and while I had never heard of Croghan, this particular rental met our needs (namely kayaks, rolling farmland, a river, a historic property.......) and turned out to be fine. We enjoyed meeting the local Mennonites selling vegetables from a general store, and exploring the general area.
As is customary we were traveling with a suitcase of kosher pots and of course kosher food purchased in Toronto, so check out is always quite a bit of work, kitchenwise! I was running a bit late as the cleaning woman arrived, but she was so sweet, and was happy to start with the upstairs while I finished up in the kitchen. Shortly thereafter, she said she needed to go home for a minute, and to please not leave until she gets back. Okay, no problem, I was still packing up and leaving things as close to possible in the state we found them.
I should say, the cleaning woman was a local florist shop owner just making some extra income on the side, and she has already heard about us from the person who checked us in. Small town, you know......When she arrived back she had a bag in her hand and said "I have a present for you!" Really? so sweet of you, I said. She said "I want you to have this, and every time you look at it remember that we support you and are praying for you."
I opened the bag and........to my very great surprise is was a vintage brass chanukah menorah, something very up my alley, especially since I own the brother design and had researched its origins (made in the USA, circa 1950) and I could see clearly that this gifted menorah was from the same factory. WOW! I said thanks so very very much! Where did you get this menorah, I asked?
The cleaning woman answered: " A friend of mine knows I like Jewish things and she gave it to me."
And so friends, our stay in Croghan New York was apparently all about bringing this special chanukah menorah home and lighting it in Israel, together with its brother! And of course, if this menorah had been gifted to just about anyone else, it would not have been received with such joy, because really, who needs an old chanukah menorah? Well you guessed it, me! (Ah yes and a brother of mine who also owns the brother design and offered to buy this one off me, no such luck!)
Above: In the first years (or year?) of acquiring this chanukah menorah we did light it with olive oil, the highest level!
And here they are, two brothers at their brightest and serving their purpose!
Happy Zot Chanukah!
