By Sharon Wisch-Ray

In keeping with the photo dominant theme of this week’s paper, I’d like to share a few snaps from the Beth-El Religious School Hanukkah Fair Dec. 14.
Students learned about Hanukkah through different exciting experiences together with their community of friends and some parents who decided to join. It is part of Beth-El’s new approach to learning this year — to transform the school into an experiential Jewish experience.
The fair included lighting the chanukiyah with help from the new children’s choir the “Stars of David” and learning the important Hanukkah lesson “Why the rabbis decided to celebrate the miracle and not winning the war”? The rest of the time was spent experiencing the holiday through the five senses.
There were many fun centers around the room for all learning styles. Each one taught something about the holiday.

For all those who like craft brews

I recently sampled two new brews from the Jewish-themed craft brewery Schmaltz Brewing Company. The company recently rolled out three limited-edition holiday releases straight from their newly expanded brewery in Clifton Park, New York.
First up is the debut of Shmaltz’s long awaited homage to 8 crazy nights: Hanukkah, Chanukah: Pass The Beer, a dark ale brewed with eight malts, eight hops, and 8 percent ABV.
Next in line is the Anniversary beer, Jewbelation 18 (18 malts, 18 hops, and a highly sessionable 12.4 percent ABV), which marks the birth of an entirely new take on the award-winning Jewbelation series.
The beers are available at Goodfriend, The Ginger Man, Choice Beverage, Lonestar Beer & Wine, The Bottle Shop: WBC, The Pour House, Total Wine — Lewisville, Total Wine — Dallas, Total Wine — East Plano, Total Wine — Fort Worth, Total Wine — West Plano, Whole Foods Market Park, Spec’s 150 — Dallas, Spec’s #154 — Fort Worth, Spec’s #155 — Fort Worth, and Spec’s 160 — Fort Worth.
L’Chaim!