Adult gifts for Chanukah this year run the gamut

This year, the first night of the Festival of Lights is Sunday, Dec. 9. Are you ready? Your local Judaica stores are, with hundreds of new gift ideas for Chanukah 2001. The choices range from fine art to fun things (priced accordingly). Many are handmade, some are locally crafted, others are gathered from the far corners of America, Europe, Israel and the world.

According to Nurit Sabadosh, owner of Alef Bet Judaica in Los Gatos, "There is a renewal in Jewish arts and crafts worldwide. Today's creative designers are updating and beautifying the symbols of Jewish mitzvot and rituals, but the changes are more about Jewish cultural life than religion." This is evidenced in paintings, books and crafts, and in the many new forms, colors, shapes and materials."

Recent history also has affected the gifts we are giving. Aziza Mara and Eileen Velen, co-owners of L'Chaim! in Danville, see a connection between the Sept. 11 tragedies and the items shoppers are seeking.

"People want to bring comfort things into their homes, ones that speak of their Jewish roots," says Mara. Objects like tzedakah boxes are appropriate gifts today, because they remind people of the mitzvah of giving and sharing; Miriam's cups are all about women's new role in Jewish celebrations; mezuzot proudly proclaim Jewish homes.

The most traditional holiday item, the chanukiah or menorah, becomes a glorious new gift when created by imaginative artists.

Tamara Baskin creates a charming curved-glass depiction of the "Children of Israel" in fused crystal ($150-$180 at Alef Bet and L'Chaim!).

Karen Rossi's whimsical chanukiah features colorful flying figures in laser-cut metal ($170 at L'Chaim!). Her whole line of brightly painted pieces is now licensed by the Silvestri company, and prices are about half what they were last year.

If you want an elegant chanukiah in blue and white porcelain or ceramic, you can find it (about $50 at bob and bob), along with a matching teapot, dreidel and gelt.

One of the most unusual chanukiot is in acrylic, by Yoffi Judaica ($85 at Alef Bet); each candlestick is separate, and comes in different colors and geometric shapes.

To make a really big statement, how about a handmade chanukiah that's 4 feet tall, done in your specifications and colors ($300, L'Chaim!)?

Similarly, chamsas, the five-fingered hand symbols that offered protection from the evil eye, are now collectibles. Every shop sells chamsas in a variety of sizes and materials (enamel, pewter, silver, acrylic), to be mounted as wall hangings, displayed on tabletops or shelves, or worn as jewelry.

Glass is a big story in the Jewish art world, with innovative work done with fused glass, laser cuts, sand-blasting, carving and mixing with other media.

The Gary Rosenthal collection of art glass is a favorite for every occasion. New items for Chanukah are a kaleidoscope in fused glass with brass, very contemporary and colorful ($210 at L'Chaim!), and a traveling chanukiah, with a neat box to carry the beautiful menorah ($125 at Alef Bet). The collection also features dreidels and mezuzot.

A hand-blown glass shofar by Jonathan Tepperman is stunning, and it can really be sounded ($200, at bob and bob).

Other dramatic gifts for the home:

A pair of candlesticks sculpted in ceramic and colorfully trimmed with pomegranates, grapes and birds ($380 pair, at Alef Bet).

Kiddush cup fountains in silverplate, one on a pedestal ($125), the other on a plate ($85 at bob and bob), have spigots that turn to fill the eight wine cups.

Decorative Chanukah plates feature holiday designs like a tree of life, dreidel and fruit. Pretty ones by Marsha Anderson, are handmade in ceramic ($60-$75, at Alef Bet). Another collection of Chanukah serving pieces includes bowls, anotherplatters, sectioned dishes (for latkes and sour cream, chips and dips, apples and honey). The handpainted ceramic pieces are trimmed with light-hearted or elegant motifs ($10-$50, at bob and bob).

Holiday dolls called Me and My Friends are not to be confused with toys. These beautifully detailed soft sculptures are meant to be displayed on a shelf or mantle, showing off their hats, dresses, pearls, lace and accessories like Stars of David ($45-$50, at Alef Bet).

If you visit Afikomen in Berkeley, you'll see a huge variety of Jewish-themed items like tallitot and jewelry. But owner Jerry Derblich says that "while some Chanukah gifts are fresh ideas, most are updates of traditional holiday favorites."

Brand new this year are scented Chanukah candles in coconut macaroon, spiced kugel and almond mandelbrot ($8 a box).

To make shopping easier, a selection of colorful papier- mâché dreidels ($12) can be pre-boxed and gift-wrapped as instant gifts. And cloth items like embroidered napkins, aprons, table runners and dishtowels with Chanukah motifs (about $10), will be rolled up and tied with a ribbon (all at Afikomen).

Books are always welcome gifts. Both bob and bob and Afikomen have 10,000 titles in their stores. One new and impressive coffee table volume is "The Jews in the 20th Century" by Martin Gilbert, who also wrote a biography of Winston Churchill ($50). On a lighter note is the "Big Book of Jewish Baseball" ($19.95). Both are great reference books, with wonderful photography.

Speaking of baseball, there are bilingual baseball caps, with team logos of the Giants, Mets, Yankees and Cubs in Hebrew and English ($24 each, at bob and bob).

Boxes, small and large, can hold other gifts, or be the gift. On the tiny side are neat little "secret boxes" in which to stash coins, rings, cufflinks ($10). For a big guy, a large carved wood box is ample enough to fit a photo album inside, or he can use it to store paperwork, or all the stuff that comes out of his pocket at night ($145, both at L'Chaim!).

Little "kibbitz gifts," as Velen of L'Chaim! calls them, are available at every Judaica shop. They're priced to go, and to give to kids' teachers, party guests, co-workers.

Among them:

Personal flashlights the size of baseball cards fit in a pocket, purse or backpack, are printed with designs of gelt, Jewish stars, bagels, chamsas ($9 each, at L'Chaim!).

Two fun calendars -- one features a Yiddish word a day; the other is called "A Little Joy, A little Oy" and has a year's worth of wisdom ($11 each, at bob & bob).

Versatile acrylic baskets are decorated with blue and gold stars and dreidels; fill them with Chanukah gelt, a plant, a bottle of wine. Also available: matching coasters and placemats ($10-$21 at Alef Bet).

Little wearable gifts include holiday socks and slippers that say "Shalom" and "Happy Chanukah" ($7 and $8.50, at bob and bob).

More gifts for guys: Desktop items are always dependable (think paperweights, pens). So are wines. Ellen Bob recommends Teal Lake, a shiraz from Australia, that is both kosher and good ($13, at bob and bob).

So many gifts, so little space! In case you didn't notice, this article does not include one piece of jewelry. You'll just have to visit your local store, and experience the variety and vibrancy of Jewish jewelry for yourself.