By LESLIE PALMA-SIMONCEK
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Menorahs made of cereal boxes, canned food, Legos and blocks are lined up in front of Gan-Israel Pre-School in Oakwood, while on the black wrought-iron fence, strands of blue and white garland form the distinctive shape of yet another nine-branch candelabrum.
"There's so much Christmas out there that I thought it would be nice to give the kids a lot of Hanukkah," said Chani Katzman, pre-school director. "It's their holiday, and they take pride in it."
Inside the sunny, spacious school, there is even more Hanukkah: Five-year-olds carrying the shields of the heroic Maccabees; 2-year-olds still damp from washing up after their latest menorah-making project; 3-year-olds demonstrating their holiday smarts for visitors, and 4-year-olds waiting to head outside for a photo by their Fruit Loops and Honey Nut Cheerios menorah.
"This Shabbos, something very different is going to happen," prodded teacher Ettie Perman.
"Hanukkah," shrieked her charges, too well-mannered to answer "Duh!"
Gan-Israel, run by Chabad Lubavitch of Staten Island, replaced the former Torah Tots Academy in Willowbrook, which was shut down in June 2005 for permit violations.
The new building, which Chabad leader Rabbi Moshe Katzman said is being leased with an option to buy, was built as a pre-school, with everything from railings to toilets built on a child's scale, two entrances for every classroom, a multitude of signs pointing to every exit and an outside play area with a padded surface.
In the office of school secretary Tammy Bogad hang all the necessary permits from the Buildings, Fire and Health departments.
The new school opened in September 2005. Students from Willowbrook's Orthodox community are making the trek and Mrs. Katzman said new students from the neighborhoods surrounding the school also are enrolling, particularly the children of Russian immigrants.
The idea of making menorahs out of non-perishable food items gave teachers two lessons in one, according to Rabbi Katzman. In addition to teaching the kids about Hanukkah, it also provided a way to teach them about hunger and how it's their duty to help others who are less fortunate. When the menorah made of canned goods is dismantled, the food will be donated to the emergency pantry at the Council of Jewish Organizations.
"It teaches the kids the importance of giving to charity," the rabbi said.
The blue and white garland menorah on the fence also gave teachers an opportunity to talk about Israel and the soldiers who fight to defend it.
Mrs. Katzman said the children also have learned about American soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. School leaders originally planned to string the garland menorah with strands of red, white and blue, but they couldn't find any red garland.
"I guess that's a Christmas color," Mrs. Katzman said with a laugh.
Leslie Palma-Simoncek is the religion editor for the Advance. She may be reached at palma@siadvance.com.
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