Shopping isn’t just a Christmas tradition
Amy R. Spurgeon
NEWPORT-MESA -- Jewish families in Newport-Mesa barely had time to get
all their turkey leftovers wrapped and frozen before it was time to head
for the malls for last-minute Hanukkah gifts this week.
The Jewish celebration of lights begins at sundown today and will last
until Nov. 11. Jews will be lighting candles on menorahs for the next
seven days while simultaneously reflecting on past Jewish triumphs.
People swarmed into The Golden Dreidel in Costa Mesa on Thursday to pick
up holiday items such as wrapping paper, dreidels and menorahs.
The store is the only Jewish retail shop in Orange County, not counting
temple gift shops. Store owners Shahrokh and Julie Ghodsi of Los Alamitos
said the next 10 days will be the store’s busiest time of the year.
America is the only country in the world where Jews exchange gifts during
Hanukkah. In other countries, it is considered a minor holiday, said
Shahrokh.
But he and his wife welcome the business all the same.
Sasha Jay, 7, was shopping with her mother for Hanukkah presents for her
father and Sunday school teacher. But she couldn’t resist picking out a
Rugrats Hanukkah video for herself.
“Mommy, don’t forget the Hanukkah guilt,” Sasha said while handing her
mom a bag of gold chocolate coins called “gelt.”
Her mother couldn’t help but laugh.
The scene at the Golden Dreidel bore a striking resemblanceto South Coast
Plaza the day after Thanksgiving.
“We have to keep up with our neighbors,” said Eileen Terris of Costa
Mesa. “They have Santa Claus. We have Hanukkah Harry.”
Wrapping paper, dreidels and menorahs were not only the hottest buys at
the Golden Dreidel, but at Newport Beach’s Temple Bat Yahm Gifts as well.
The gift shop at the temple carries a wide variety of Judaica items and
currently offers a selection of discounted Hanukkah items.
“You name it, we have it,” said Sorrell Wayne.
Both The Golden Dreidel and Bat Yahm Gifts are open weekdays and Sundays.
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