8 days of light . . . 8 days a week.

“A little light dispels a lot of darkness.”

Every Joe and Sally in America knows about Chanukah. Christmas = Chanukah. Oh you're Jewish? Happy Chanukah. When you ask an average Jew about it, he'll tell you he celebrates it, but in reality, its not our "big" holiday. I love latkes, and presents, the great Chanukah memories, but I don't think I ever fully felt Chanukah until this Kislev in Israel. The Mitzvah (act) of publicizing the miracle (displaying the Chanukah menorah) literally filled the streets with their flames. Narrow winding streets draped with dark Jerusalem stone in the nights glowed of shinning oil lamps lit and placed outside each and every door and window in the crowded neighborhood. Souvganiot (jelly-donuts) sold and handed out all over the streets and in every corner-store. Shoe-shop? Menorah in the window. Holy-bagel? Workers lighting their menorah in the window as you sit down for dinner. The spirit can be felt all over. Chabad-niks driving around with giant menorah's on their cars, 20ft menorahs in the center of every park, street, and circle. Chanukah music blasting from the city center, and menorahs being publicly lit at the bars as you sit down for a happy hour. Light is filling the streets and also the hearts of people across the country...no signs of christmas, but the spirit of Chanukah can be felt deep within. It's said that the light, happiness and warmth of Chanukah are meant to warm the rest of the cold winter, and I can truly say that this year, my Chanukah might have accomplished this...