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Elvis a Part of Memphis Hanukkah Program
12/20/2003 12:44 PM, AP
This year's Hanukkah program at Beth Sholom Synagogue featured a uniquely Memphis touch — telling the story of the holiday of lights through retooled versions of Elvis Presley 's hits.
The synagogue featured an Elvis impersonator and students from Solomon Schechter Day School singing "Blue Suede Jews" and "Heartbreak Kotel," a reference to Jerusalem's Western Wall that's also known as the Kotel Ha Maarvai.
"It's a fun way to get the kids involved in the history of what Hanukkah means," said Jonathan Ross, who helped produce the program. "Since we're in Memphis and Elvis is such a force here, we thought it would be a perfect way to blend modern culture and ancient customs."
Hanukkah began at sundown Friday and continues through Dec. 27.
Last year, the synagogue's Hanukkah program revolved around Broadway tunes, and organizers decided that music should be featured each year.
"The kids love it, the adults love it and everyone comes away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be Jewish," Ross said. "Everyone loves storytelling, but let's face it. If you tell something the same way all the time, it can lose its impact. We're trying to rejuvenate the Hanukkah story and tell it in a new way."
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On the Net:
Beth Sholom Synagogue: http://bethsholom.uscjhost.net/
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