When you’re devoted – head and heart – to absorbing the cultures of the world, it is damn hard being a non-Jew during Hanukah. At least that’s what our elder daughter thought. So, last Thursday, we insinuated ourselves into a friend’s celebration. Our mishpacha and theirs, together.
(That means “whole family.” Pretty fancy Yiddish, hunh?)

Here’s a little taste of the other lessons we came home with:

1. The candelabrum shedding light on Hanukah is called a chanukiah. A traditional menorah, it turns out, bears just seven branches instead of the necessary nine.

2. Adam Sandler’s Hanukah Song reaches heights of near-holy hilarity when listened to ‘round a laptop under the glow of candlelight.

3. Hebrew voices ‘round the piano reach heights of near holy. Period. Actually, strike the near.

4. Pink champagne tastes waaaay better than it did in high-school.

5. “Tater-totish” (copyright Robin Chotzinoff 2006) is an adjective of praise for the softest and most delectable latkes around.

6. Hanukah may be a ‘lesser holiday’ for Jews, but it does celebrate a pretty awesome victory by a few small guys over The Man, so what’s not to love?

7. Like so many other holidays, the deep pleasures of Hanukah rest in good friends and family breaking bread together — or potato pancakes as the case may be. What good fortune.

Shalom, y’all.