As 7-year-old Hadassah Auch diligently molded clay into the shape of a dreidel at ExplorationWorks Sunday afternoon, the excitement was building to get home by sundown to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with her family in Boulder.

Lighting the menorah, playing the dreidel game and getting presents are what Auch said she likes about celebrating the Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days.

Auch was among a small group of young people who learned a little more about Hanukkah with the help of Beth Steele, a local Jewish woman who volunteers at the children's museum.

"We often think of (ExplorationWorks) as the science center, but it's also a center of culture," Steele said adding she was happy to share some of hers.

She read the children a story, "Four Sides Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah."

The word "Hanukkah" actually means rededication, Steele said. It's the Jewish rededication of the holy temple in the Jeruselum after their small army beat Antiochus IV, the Syrian-Greek king, and his large army.

After the story, the group made dreidels and played the game.

Monty Auch, Hadassah's father, said the family was really looking forward to eating latke - like a potato pancake - later in the evening.

"We wait all year for this," he said adding that they'll also enjoy three or four types of applesauce, also a Jewish tradition.

Monty admits it's difficult to be Jewish in Montana and says he's, at times, felt much criticism.

"It only takes a few people to make you want to just be a Jew in your home," he said. "But life is too short to get worked up. The big picture is God's in charge and that's his way of making you more insightful to yourself."

Monty says his children don't feel left out because they don't celebrate Christmas, because they get eight days of presents.

"It's simple math, so they aren't going to be upset for too long," he said with a warm smile.

Becca Leaphart, youth program cordiantor for ExplorationWorks, said the activity fit perfectly with the mission of the museum.

"We've been trying to offer a variety of acitivities during the holidays," she said. "We are a museum of science and culture."

Leaphart said the hope is to provide a place where people with common backgrounds, beliefs or interests can gather - like a community center.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com