Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. We celebrate by lighting the menorah and sending our prayers out into the world. We eat latkes with applesauce and play dreidel with chocolate coins. It is a time for us to pause as a family and think about our good fortune and freedom to celebrate the way we choose. Not everyone celebrates Chanukah his way, but this is the tradition Mike and I developed with Mathew over the years and it is very special to us. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” which is an ideal name, as it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Check out the video below for a nice synopsis of the events that catalyzed this tradition.

May peace prevail on earth so we all get to celebrate the way we want to.

Happy Chanukah!