The Miracle On Park Heights Avenue. Is There Chanukah In The House?

                The Chanukah House, 6211 Park Heights Avenue

                                          Baltimore, Maryland


I was going to hold off writing about this until a little later in the holiday season, but in the past few days some people whose blogs I follow had written about what it is like to be Jewish during the Christmas season and how alienating it can be.  I've been so wrapped up with my tinsel and trees, I'm out of it, but when I read their blogs, I thought, "Hoshanah, Hon's.  Have I got the place for you."

              Klezmer Band and Fiddler on the Roof.  Note the disco ball

                 above the portico.   Too much? Not for Balmer, Hon.



For some time, I had read about a Chanukah House in Baltimore, the kosher version of Miracle on 34th Street. Baltimore is already known for it's over-the-top camp charm, and this house is no exception. Last year on a very rainy night I sought it out, and I was not disappointed. The house is actually divided up into four apartments, and each resident has a role in setting up the display.  How would you like that (not Santa) clause written into your contract?

                                                  The Shalom Flag



One of the residents, Irv Cohen, began the tradition in the late 1980's when he spotted a two-foot high metal knight in a crafts store in Virginia.  Cohen, a graphic designer with an artistic eye, purchased nine of the figures, lined them up, wired them for electricity and the "Knights of the Menorah" were born.



                  The "Knights" of Menorah. The initial inspiration.


Things evolved and every year another section was added: Fiddlers on the Roof, wearing cast off clothing from Mr. Cohen and his father, Herschel Harry Potter and so much more.


                "We knew some Shreks in Miami. Lovely couple."



The house is located at 6211 Park Heights Avenue, and there is a website with more information on the house, the lighting of the centerpiece menorah, and directions:

                         About.com: http://www.thechanukahhouse.com




                 The six-foot high menorah with oil-fueled flames



It takes about 100 man hours to set the house up, but only 10 hours to take it down.  The centerpiece menorah has traditionally been lit by the Mayor of Baltimore on the first night of Chanukah (this year on December 25th), and for every night of Chanukah, prayers are offered followed by informal tours.  In an article from the Baltimore Jewish Times, Mr. Cohen was quoted as saying, "Chanukah is a mitzvah, a blessing, and Jewish people are required to publicize the miracle of Chanukah. It's called 'Pirsumei Nissa, and for over 2,000 years people have been putting the menorah in a very prominent place in the home where people can see it." In the case of Chanukah House, that is easily accomplished: the menorah is out at the entrance to the sideway blasting away from it's six-foot base on oil-fed flames that shoot up into the night."




                Dreidel! ...and the Eternal Flame Menorah Under Glass




                                                     Dreidel!




                        Dreidel! ...and it spins..all five feet of it.



There is so much to take in: Mr. Potato Latke Head, a life-sized four member klezmer band seated inchairs on the house's upper balcony, a dreidel tree, a "Shalom" American flag in red, white and blue lights, Schmoopy and more.




           Mr. Potato Latke Head. Note Speidel Man on the left pillar.

                                                  "Shalom, Y'all."

                      "W" and his red, white and blue menorah candles.

 

                               Herschel Harry Potter and friends




                                    Poo? Jewish? Who knew?

Not all are enthralled with Chanukah House. It is located in a religious community on a street lined with synagogues, yeshivas and social centers , but somehow over time they have arrived at an acceptance of this tradition.


                       Spare me the JAP jokes. Chanukah Barbie



This sign is next to the glass-encased Barbie. It says: F.Y.I. Why is Barbie lighting Chanukah candles, you ask? As a Jewish girl, why shouldn't she? Did you know that Barbie was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler? She and her husband Elliot Handler, a nice Jewish couple from Denver, Colorado, were the founders of Mattel, Inc. They named Barbie for their daughter Barbara and two years later, in 1961 when the Ken doll was introduced, named it for their son Ken. So now you know!

Given the time to put this showpiece together every year, and the high monthly electric bills that must come as a result, it truly is a marvel.


                                            The Menorah Tree


To quote Mr Cohen, it's creator, "Who in their right mind would do something like this with no monetary gain? It's a labor of love, and we love doing it." One housing director was quoted as saying, "It gives a little bit of extra character to Park Heights Avenue." Santa Claus, Schmanta Claus. Now that is an understatement, Hon.


                    Happy Chanukah, Hon.  Shnaidel The Snowman

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