#8 Is Chanuka the Jewish Christmas?

The answer will probably not surprise you.

This one is personal. When our children were little; our daughter was in second grade and our son was kindergarten, we switched from being a family who celebrated both to all Jew, all Chanuka. All the time.

The kids took it pretty hard.

My daughter wrote about it. Good essay, I recommend it.

And my son...well, let's just say he worked it out on stage.

Ben Shearn as "Jew, The Obscure"

We are all fine. Maybe a little confused from time to time. Like you aren't!!!

#7 Favorite Chanuka Characters

When you start a holiday with an insurrection, follow it up with a civil war, and fight off invading armies for over a hundred years, it's not easy to come up with lovable, cuddly characters.

At least, that was my experience working on this video.

Andy Kaufman at Latka (not in the video but I highly recommend Jim and Andy) 

#6 Traditional Family Observances

This being Shabbat (or Shabbas), I don't expect many Jews to be watching this. There is pretty basic material that Jews learn in Hebrew School or if you are traditionally observant "school."

As this is episode 6, I am thankful that I am not doing the 12 Days of Christmas or the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan.

Episode 5: Don's Top 8 Chanuka Hits

Here is a link to most of these tunes. There are some really cool songs out there. Regrettably, I couldn't find Sammy Davis Jr. doing any Chanuka tunes. Or any of the Rat Pack.

I also plan to do my blues rendition of "Dreidl."

"I have a little dreidl, it goes everywhere with me/I have a little dreidl, it goes everywhere with me.

But what's the use of my dreidl, if my baby ain't with me."