A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm

by Jon Koons

Hanukkah is fast approaching the village of Chelm, but unfortunately the village Rabbi is away and none of the villagers remember the proper way to celebrate the festival of lights.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Christmas, Jewish, Religion

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Jon Koons is an author who resides in New Jersey, U.S.A. But please don’t hold that against him. He has written everything from children’s picture books to short stories to scripts and novels. His work can be found as print books, ebooks, audiobooks, in anthologies such as Cool Sports Dad; The Game is Afoot: Parodies, Pastiches and Ponderings of Sherlock Holmes; The Big Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories; as well as in periodicals like Sherlock Homes Mystery Magazine (are you sensing a theme here?), Weird Tales Magazine, The Jewish Standard (of all places), and lining bird cages across the country. As a frequent contributor of short fiction and book reviews to Weird Tales Magazine he was eventually made an Associate Editor, meaning he gets to correct other authors’ punctuation and spelling. Although Jon writes in just about every genre, his focus is on science fiction and fantasy that is humorous. At least to him.

Also known as a performer under his nom de plume (which obviously means ‘name with feathers’) of The JestMaster, Jon does ridiculous things like magic, ventriloquism, walking on stilts, eating fire and riding a Penny Farthing bicycle; for which he has garnered acclaim, awards, second degree burns and cracked ribs. As an actor Jon has appeared on Broadway (in a show that closed after only a couple of weeks—but it wasn’t his fault, he swears), on TV, in commercials and in such classic films as Revenge of the Nerds 3: The Next Generation. He also produces and narrates audiobooks, saving him the expense of having someone else do it.

After twiddling around with writing all that other stuff seemingly forever, now at an age over half a century old (advanced, yes, but not too crusty, because as you know fifty is the new forty-nine) he has finally become a published novelist. His fondest desire as an author is that after you have read all the Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore novels you can get ahold of, that you give his novels a shot. Admittedly there is only one at the moment, but as long as people keep buying it there will be plenty more to come.

In his dubious spare time, Jon hangs out in his big old house with mice in the walls and in serious need of repair, with his wife Mikki, who is a talented woodwind player and the love of his life; his miraculous son Merlin Ryan, a chip off the old block—heaven help him; their ferret Grig; and an ever changing cast of characters, both real and imaginary.

Reviews

[Wendy]

I found it endearing how the village attempted to remember how to celebrate. The mix up between Christmas and Hanukkah is funny. I appreciate how the Rabbi teaches at the end and the people are resilient to laugh at their mistakes and to correct them.

[Viviane Elbee]

Very funny story about a town with folks who are a little confused and forgetful, who can’t quite recall how to celebrate Hanukkah and who end up mixing Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. The kids had a good laugh with this one.

[Ollie]

This book is really very clever. It brings the foolish people of Chelm and Christmas celebrations together. The people of Chelm are Jewish people surrounded and overwhelmed by the Christmas celebrations. I think the author handles this in a fun and delightful way, and allows the people of Chelm to relearn the meaning of Hanukkah.

[Katie]

This was a sweet and silly way to explain Hanukkah -- I loved it:)

[Jim]

my absolute favourite Hannukkah story

[Jessica Sullivan]

I like the idea that they were willing to try new traditions and go out searching for answers. However, I don't like the premise that the people were confused, as confused is a bad thing in this story. It's not innocent confusion and mishaps because of a language barrier or something. The people can't remember and rely solely on the Rabbi, so without him, they are completely lost. Not only does this paint those of Jewish faith in a poor light, it also sends the message that calling people stupid and/or reinforcing that is okay.

[Lynn Davidson]

It was almost time to celebrate Hanukkah and when the rabbi left on a short trip, the villagers started preparations. When they realized no one could remember what to do, they sent one young man to another village to find out. He mistakenly travelled too far and ended up in the city where he is told how to prepare - but for the wrong holiday!
Funny story, marvellously illustrated.

[Marla]

I really do not like that this is a story about Jews who get confused between Chanukah and Christmas. Man, do I not need that.