When you live in New York City, even if you are not Jewish, you find yourself joining in with the Chanukah festivities. The rituals of lighting a candle for each of the eight nights and spinning the dreidel for Chanukah gelt are beautiful, and seeing that light in the darkest point of the year satisfies some deep need in all of us.
After his granddaughter was born, my Jewish father-in-law asked me if I would light the candles and say the prayers. Since my husband was not raised in the traditional way, his step-father, who has been Sean’s dad since he was twelve, wanted me to help pass the Festival of Lights down to his grandchildren. I was honored.
Latkes? Doughnuts? Presents? Chocolate? What’s not to love?
Here is a look back at our eight nights.
