The Dollhouses of Memory

Tonight, at sundown, I will light candles for the third night of Hanukkah, along with millions of others throughout the world.

Today, I remember an educator, Roberta King.

Roberta King was a member of the congregation that runs the museum Hanukkah House which has become a place I visit each year (except this year when it is, apparently, closed). She was a mother of 10 who taught English for immigrant adult education classes at Binghamton, New York's American Civic Association - until the day she was murdered, with 12 of her students and co workers. April 3, 2009 is a day no one in Binghamton will ever forget.

Her family refused to surrender to hate.  Instead, they continue to permit Hanukkah House to display her dollhouses (and extensive doll collection) each year for the community to enjoy.

Here's one of them.

And another.  I've posted some of these pictures (taken in 2016) before and I'd like to show you some of these dollhouse scenes today.  Let's go in, shall we?

The rooms are so detailed - wallpaper, curtains, even cut "flowers".

Wicker furniture on a patio.

The lady of the house in her bedroom.

A servant on the left?

It's time to leave.  Farewell for another year.

There are details (not necessarily visible in the pictures I took) showing that these dollhouse occupants are Jewish (such as a menorah on display). 

I may show more from Hanukkah House later in this holiday, which ends sundown on December 18.