A Rockin’ Rochman Chanukah

Stacey and Brad Rochman grew up in other areas of the country but were JCC preschool kids themselves. Once they moved to Indianapolis and had their first daughter, Juliana, in 2018, they knew they would find a warm home at the Indy JCC. Now they have two more kids, twins Brooke and Cameron, and they are all avid members here. Juliana is an ECE (early childhood education) graduate and Brooke and Cameron are currently enrolled, and they all love the variety of things they get to do at the J such as JumpBunch, ballet, swimming, and holiday celebrations. When asked about her favorite thing to do at CampJCC in the summer, Juliana said, “I like to do lots of stuff. They do a hot dog cookout on Fridays for lunch.” She also loves how in the summer, she gets to see all her old friends that she met here years ago.

Enrolling their kids somewhere where Jewish education was a part of the curriculum was very important for the Rochman parents. It allows their kids to celebrate Chanukah and other holidays both at school and at home. Stacey and Brad’s Chanukah traditions haven’t really changed much from when they were kids to now: “It’s pretty similar for me,” Brad said. “That’s a lot of what you pick up growing up is the traditions, and you carry those on when you have your own kids and your own family.”

Some of those traditions include:

• The first night is always for matching pajamas. All the kids get the same PJs and “then probably wear them another seven nights in a row,” Brad said.
• Latkes (potato pancakes) are a staple during the Chanukah season. The Rochmans put their own spin on the dish, inspired by Brad’s Texas roots, by making steak and latkes. They also don’t discriminate about what latkes are paired with. They’ll have sour cream as well as apple sauce on the table, so you can use one, both, or just have them plain!
• After their meal and lighting the menorah, it’s every young kid’s favorite part, gift opening! Everyone gets to pick out a gift, and then they all open it together.
• They decorate Chanukah cookies every year, which the kids love because they get to make a mess and eat the frosting.
• Seeing your loved ones is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Stacey said, “We don’t have family in town, so sometimes family comes to visit. And sometimes, if not, we all FaceTime each other.”