We are the people of the book and what better way to fill the holiday season when school’s not in session than by curling up with a good one? Chanukah gelt goes far when book buying and here’s a few true finds for the kinder:

For the wee ones: Nosh, Schlep, Schluff
For the 4-8 year olds: Lipman Pike – America’s First Home Run King
For middle- schoolers: a chapter book -  The Cats in the Doll Shop about  life in a tenement on the Lower East Side of New York
Young adult readers: Flesh and Blood – So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and its Legacy

Two new releases for adults will keep you on the couch right next to your kids or grandkids:
-A Kosher Christmas -  a non-anecdotal look at how Jews handle “the only American national holiday rooted in a specific religious tradition that a significant minority of Americans fail to share.” 
-Jewish Jocks – An Unorthodox Hall of Fame – profiling Jews on and off the bench in the world of sports.
-Or join the close to 8 million other viewers who have tuned to Youtube to watch The Maccabeats (a Yeshiva singing group). They are so enticing you’ll be mimicking them in your sleep. Watch the video here.

  There are also plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season  that also enhances our Jewish beliefs and values and continues the Chanukah celebration. Here’s a few:

-With school out for winter break, seize the opportunity to practice a cornerstone of Judaism: Tikkun Olam - repairing the world. Donate toys to a shelter, volunteer at a soup kitchen, bring canned goods to a food bank (like Jewish Family Services). Send a message of appreciation and support to the soldiers in our military who are far from loved ones during the holidays. Go to www.anysolider.com. Or send a message or gift of support to an Israeli soldier: Lone Soldier Center (www.lonesoldiercenter.com) and Standing Together (www.stogether.org).

When Jews continue the tradition of Jews volunteering  –  we as individuals and as members of a family - get an opportunity to participate in holiday cheer without compromising our values, but actually reinforcing them.

The opinions expressed in this apost are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Tampa JCC & Federation.