Maccabee/Syrian 'Angry Birds'? You bet, at York's Jewish Community Center

York, PA - It was "Angry Birds" meets ancient Jewish history.

The battle between the Maccabee soldiers and the Syrian army that took place more than 2,000 years ago was re-enacted Sunday at York's Jewish Community Center -- in the style of the popular "Angry Birds" video game.

True to history, the Maccabees won, helping to preserve religious freedom.

Kids shot kickballs out of a life-size slingshot toward blow-up pigs and boxes -- the kickballs were marked with Jewish symbols, and the pigs represented the Syrian army.

Nine-year-old Leon Bellenbaum, of Springettsbury Township, said his family attends the Celebrate Chanukah event every year, but this year he was looking forward to the

From the left, Emma Ehrlich, age 4, is held in suspense as Emme Applefeld, age 8, is assisted by Lyn Mendlowitz with the Giant Maccabee Angry Bird shooter before she tries to hit the wall of boxes. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - PAUL KUEHNEL)

"Angry Birds" battle the most.

Leon and his brother Simon, 5, raved about the latke-eating contest, too.

The event began with a social period and a menorah lighting, then broke off into other activities such as a dreidel hunt, Hanukkah "Jeopardy" and face-painting for all ages before the final battle.

Laura Merklin -- the youth, teen and family coordinator for the JCC -- said the event strives to provide Jewish children with meaningful experiences and educate the community about the Hanukkah season.

Merklin, of York Township, said she came up with the "Angry Birds" simulation from a YouTube video and decided it was a good way for kids and community members to visualize the complexities of the war between the Maccabees and the Syrians.

"We really wanted to do something fun and something that would get the kids going," Merklin said.

JCC Programming Director Bill Walter, of New Jersey, said the education hidden among the games and fun activities of the day was the most important part of the celebration.

"(The events) bring back old traditions of Hanukkah," Walter said.

DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS -- PAUL KUEHNEL

Emma Erhlich, 4, left, is tense with suspense as Emme Applefeld, 8, center, is helped by Lyn Mendlowitz with the 'Angry Bird' slingshot during a fun re-enactment of a more-than-2,000-year-old battle at Sunday's Celebrate Chanukah event at York's Jewish Community Center. Kids portraying Maccabbees shot kickballs at blow-up pigs and boxes -- representing the Syrian army -- in an educational game that helped teach children and community members the history of Hanukkah.

DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS -- PAUL KUEHNEL

Steven Astrachan, 13, builds up the Syrian army's wall of boxes again Sunday during an 'Angry Birds'-esque re-enactment of a historic battle against the Maccabbees.

Source: http://www.inyork.com/ci_19575090?source=rss_viewed

mindy mccready mindy mccready cliff harris cliff harris josh turner bishop eddie long chicago news