Some people say that if you're lucky, you have a "hoiz" (a house). If you're really lucky, it's a "grois hoiz" (a big house). Some Jews even live in a "palatz" (a palace). "Az a glick ahf mir!" (I should have such luck!)

Some builders of homes in S. Florida have been reporting an unusual ceremony. Jewish couples are appearing at the site of their soon-t-be-built home/condo when the foundation is being poured. They're carrying a camera for that "Kodak moment" and 18 cents to throw into the foundation for good luck. They're also holding "chai" parties. (The words "chai" or "chei" is formed by the combination of Hebrew letters meaning eighteen and life.)

In March of 2002, Sandy and Ian Schwartz, formerly of Jericho, New York, purchased a home at a development named Ponte Vecchio, located in Boynton Beach, Florida. They invited 40 - 45 of their relatives and friends to a "chai party" at their building site. Each guest was supplied with a baggie containing 18 pennies, which were subsequently thrown into the foundation. (Did H&H bagels, whitefish salad, and lox--the quintessential party foods--follow?)

Are "chai parties" a new ritual? This question was posed to a number of rabbis, home builders, comedians, and a Jewish fairy godmother. Here are their replies:
Rabbi Anchelle Perl said that "This is an old Jewish custom, mostly followed by the Sephardic community.
Rabbi Perry Rank said that he had heard of this practice and the only person he had known to have done it was Ashkenazi. "I really do not know too much about it, though the symbolism of 18 being life, fits well with the building of one's future home," says Rank.

Rabbi Louis Zivic checked, "A Treasury of Sephardic Laws and Customs" by Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinsky and said that there was no mention of such a practice. "It sounds more like a superstition than a custom and it might have had some local European provenance at one time. It would be more in keeping with Jewish custom and practice for a sum in a multiple of 18 to be donated to a charity. Maybe it's just someone's idea of creating a Kodak moment," said Zivic.

Rabbi Jack Moline (author of "Growing Up Jewish"), added his two cents: "I never heard of the ceremony, but it's cute and has some potential for meaning. I could also imagine including a pebble from Israel or some such thing, though it comes a little close to burial customs, which might resonate inappropriately. I am very familiar with the notion of a cornerstone concealing a time capsule of some kind; this seems to be a variation," said Moline.
Helen@yourjewishfairygodmother.com said that she had poked around in her Jewish library and did not find a reference to this custom. She did say, "I'm a believer in both ritual and luck. I'm not particularly orthodox about ritual, as I think that most acts performed with sufficient piety and sincerity, accompanied with some candles and a tasty nosh, should bring blessings and good luck to all participants."

Rabbi Kenneth D. Milhander wrote, "I am sure somebody came up with that as a sign for good luck. As you know, the number 18 in Hebrew translates into the word "chai," which means life. Many people wear that word as jewelry around their neck, so it would not surprise me that someone would come up with 'blessing' a house with 18 cents. Yes, I would say that anytime you are celebrating, as in the laying of a foundation for a new home or any other celebratory moment, it is customary to share your good fortune with others by giving tsedakah to the temple or some other worthy Jewish cause."

Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz wrote, "Hi, May U live & B well till 120. Sorry 2 bust yr bubble but I am against the NEW tradition. There is a sin on the boos of the Jewish religion called Bal Tashchit, which literally means 'master of destruction.' What it really means is the sin of WASTE. Usually it refers 2 food. But money thrown away certainly comes under that category. The really creative way 2 do something along those lines is: Buy a nice Charity box (Pushka), put $18 in the pushka B 4 U move in. Many Jews under the age of 40, and certainly most Jews under 30, simply do not remember the pushka that was always found in a Jewish home...Giving charity 2 start off life in a new home is a grt (sic) idea. Taking money out of circulation falls under the category of the sin of 'waste.'"

Sunni Jones, Administrator at the Florida Association of Building Inspectors, wrote, "In checking with our sources, we were told that it is a Jewish superstition, rather than a tradition. Some people feel that they will never be broke because there will always be money in the house and some people will pursue all avenues to ensure success and good luck."

Michael Elkin melkin@jewishexponent.com  wrote, "First time I've heard of this one. Have heard, however, of people who get purses/handbags/wallets as gifts who find that 18 cents has been placed inside as an expression of good luck from the presenter."

Rabbi Chaim Wender wrote, "I have never heard of this practice, but I certainly have no objection to it. Rather than recommending it to congregants, I would recommend a donation to a charity in celebration of a new home."

The best explanation came from Rabbi Robert A. Alper, the world's only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedy...intentionally:

"Ah ha. So that explains the curse of Florida!! Comedian Robert Klein eloquently states it in Seinfeld's new movie:
'When they were 65, in perfect health, my parents moved to Florida. 30 years later...both DEAD! What is it about that place? Is it the air? The water? What is it?'
Answer: Must be the curse of the coins."