Willow Glen Resident
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Alef Bet's selection shines on Chanukah
By Moryt Milo
Historically, Jewish families throughout the South Bay have struggled to find a selection of Chanukah decorations, menorahs or dreidels that go beyond the blue and gold wrapping paper, chocolate coins or gelt and plastic dreidels. There is, however, a hidden gem right on the border of the Campbell community that is an oasis for every imaginable Chanukah need.
Alef Bet Judaica on Winchester Boulevard in the Vasona Station next to Knowles Drive has been stocking Chanukah decorations, themed activities for children and a large selection of menorahs and dreidels for 14 years.
Owner Nurit Sabadosh opened the store because she wanted to provide the Jewish community with educational, as well as artistic, Judaica items.
A shopper can chose a dreidel for play or to fill with chocolate or one created by artists such as Gary Rosenthal, whose creations are made out of copper and overlayed with ceramic. The dreidel is designed for the collector, but it does spin.
Sadabosh, who emigrated from Israel in 1981 and taught Hebrew school locally at Shir Hadash and kindergarten at Yavneh Day School, says she has noticed an increase in the production of Jewish art by American artists.
"There is more of an openness," she says. "I think there is more of an awareness of what it means to be Jewish today, not only in the Jewish world but in the larger world."
This has translated to a broader selection of Chanukah items. The Chanukia, the menorah used during Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, has expanded in style.
In Sadabosh's store a shopper can still purchase the traditional silver or gold Chanukiot, but there are also menorahs shaped like cats or that have musicians with their instruments whimsically hanging below the candleholder. There are menorahs with charms dangling through the menorah branches. One Chanukia was created by Maude Weisser, in a one-of-a-kind design, as a collection of European synagogues.
"When my sister comes from Israel, she is flabbergasted with all the items we sell in the states for Chanukah," Sabadosh says, "but I see it as a lot of fun."
Shopper Mimi Gutterman bought two Chanukiot to add to her 30-plus menorah collection.
She says simply, "Her stuff is just cool."
Shopper Linda Cristol was looking for a dreidel to add to her growing collection. Cristol says a shopper would have to go to Brooklyn to find a better selection.
Sadabosh has a variety of children's crafts that include a wooden menorah kit that, once painted, can be used. There is also a dreidel kit that can be painted and played with. And, if a shopper looks carefully, that customer will find a Chanukah dartboard game displayed by the wrapping paper and tableware.
One item that is a consistent big seller over Chanukah is her collection of mezuzahs. This is a small case, traditionally made with metal, that is placed on the doorpost of a Jewish home. Inside is a tiny scroll that contains the words of God.
"I don't know why this is so popular at Chanukah, but I sell more than any other time of the year," she says.
Her display cases house an extensive collection from small to large, and traditional to modern mezuzahs.
For Sabadosh, operating the store brings her as much pleasure as it did when she took a leap of faith and opened for business more than a decade ago.
"It was a whole new world and it was very exciting, and it still is very exciting for me," she says.
Alef Bet Judaica, 14103 D Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos, is open Monday to Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Saturday. For more information, call 408.370.1818 or visit www.alefbetjudaica.com.
Photograph by George Sakkestad
At Alef Bet Judaica shoppers can find whimsical and traditional menorahs for Chanukah. A more playful Chanukia or menorah is one designed by artist Yosi Steinberg.
