Its begun already

I've been watching the Jewish boards and communities discuss concerns over the commercialization of Hanukkah. Not being a major holiday, Hanukkah places Jews in the odd situation of having to push the holiday into Christmas craze levels "for the sake of the children". And while being Jewish in America can be isolating as a kid, the payoff for the kids involved is often ingratitude, spoiling and greed. Which in context of the siege of the Maccabees makes for a fairly odd way to celebrate the holiday, frankly.

One of the philosophies is to return Hanukkah to the Israeli tradition of giving small gifts over 8 nights, possibly things you'd buy the kids anyway. Which often makes for the kind of practical gifts my mother was famous for putting in our stockings: crayons, toothbrushes, cards, bookmarks and office supplies. Yes, I have had a very Post-It holiday.

Our little Jewish community goes all out for Hanukkah, in the best ways. Lots of food, lots of community building, very little doctrine and bags of candy for the kids playing dreidel. The latter of which Josh always gets a huge kick out of. Sometimes I think he only shows up to gamble with the kids and the annual "showing of the Menorahs", having procured himself a lovely and very traditional one this summer in Massachusetts.

Speaking of Josh, I'm to pick him up at midnight at the base terminal. We did it!

I swear to all Gods, above and below, we all need one of these

And, for some reason, they remind me of wild_heart.

Go forth and lust after them.