Page 47 of The Dreidl Disaster

Livvy raised an eyebrow. “Nice to see you too. Um…”

“Oh I’m sorry,” the woman said, shaking her head. “I need to introduce myself. I’m Sarah Goldman-Lieberman.”

“Nice to officially meet you,” she said, trying to think of why that name sounded so familiar.

“Hi.” Artur.

And with one word, all of Livvy’s thoughts went out the window. “Hi,” she managed.

“Sarah is going to help us,” he said. “She’s…”

And that’s when the lightning bolt went off above Livvy’s head. Sarah Goldman-Lieberman was the woman in charge of the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival, having started in that position the year it went big and made Hanukkah into part of the tourism calendar the way Halloween was. “Yes!” Liv said. “You planned the famous Hollowville Festival.”

“I did,” Sarah said; the pride in the other woman’s eyes made Liv even more grateful for what was happening.

And to Artur for connecting them.

“I’m just glad that though Hollowville was the first,” Sarah continued. “There are so many others popping up. I think it’s important for municipalities to recognize the religious diversity of their residents, and plan accordingly.”

“She’s being modest,” Artur added, like he needed to fact-check this woman. “But she was also called in as a consultant in Rivertown. And I suspect that her fingers have been involved in a bunch of other festivals.”

“Which is why I really appreciate the fact that you’re willing to spend time here, in Briarwood, helping us figure out what our event is going to look like,” Liv added, even more excited about the prospect of what was going to happen.

“Do you have a name for it yet? A direction?” Sarah asked.

Liv nodded. “It’s going to be organized around the sculpture, so we’re going to be treating it more like the opening of an art exhibit as opposed to a festival.”

Sarah nodded, and as they sat down she pulled out a notebook and a bright blue pen with a menorah on the top. “Well, you’re right,” the consultant said as she opened the notebook. “Hollowville is a festival, but its central event is the menorah lighting, and the menorah itself.”

“Right,” Liv replied. “But our sculpture is going to be a dreidl.”

“Which seems to be a less active part of the event,” the consultant confirmed, making more notes, which made the menorah bend with the movement. “So more like Rivertown, which is a central event that takes place over a few days, that starts with a class for the participants. First year there were kinks that had to be ironed out, but things went really well and have been for the past few years.”

“It’s the talk of the town,” Artur said. “I mean Rivertown.”

Rivertown was Artur’s hometown after all; she needed to ask him more about it. But that would be later. “I figured,” she said.

“So, what’s your sense of Briarwood?” Sarah asked. “Because I think we’re getting somewhere.”

“Briar­wood’s…open­ing,” Liv said, feeling more comfortable with the wording the more she spoke, “is going to be centered around the delivery of the sculpture. But because the sculpture doesn’t so much play an active part in the celebration of the holiday, I see the space we’re creating as more of a gathering spot.”

“There are options for the spot where we celebrate,” Artur added; this confusing, perplexing, amazing man who got joy from planning this event with her.

“I love this,” Sarah added. “You always have the best ideas,” she said, turning toward Artur.

Their banter reminded her of the way she talked to Judith or Naomi. And it was wonderful. And if pressed, Liv would think that Sarah was also part of his extended friends circle, the ones he liked to spend time with during Hanukkah. And if she had to bet anything, she’d bet Sarah was one of the people who liked large Hanukkah celebrations.

But she didn’t say that.

Instead, her ridiculous brain pointed out the fact that this woman knew Artur enough to know his business. Thankfully, the rational side reminded her that it was Artur’s business to have all sorts of connections and know all sorts of people so that he knew who to call on when he needed someone to fix a problem.

She wondered if long after this event was over, she’d be able to be one of his experts. Local-Governments-R-Us, call Liv Nachman at 914-222-2222, or some random number that was easy to dial, for assistance in completing town business.

“Are there events that have been suggested?” Sarah asked, bringing Liv’s attention back to the conversation. “Have you looked at feasibility?”

“I think we’re looking at a multi-day event cycle,” Artur said, “What I think we need from you at this stage is maybe an understanding of what the days might look like.”

“How many feasible event slots,” Liv clarified. “And then I think we can narrow down the events based on the slots.”

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