Whichever way we spell it, Chanukah is a major Jewish holiday for American Jews.

We do not need to apologize for this.

Many of us know that it isn’t a biblical holiday, that it’s not mentioned in the Five Books of Moses, and that the rabbis of the Talmud weren’t thrilled about it and minimized it, and that the real reason behind its prominence for American Jews is that it is next to another big holiday. We also know that it has only included gifts in recent decades.

So what?

We declare our Jewishness in the United States, we proclaim our difference from everyone else, by taking on the cultural giant of the year and saying, proudly, that we do something else.

This is so very Jewish.

Let’s take a stand this year and embrace Chanukah as the major Jewish holiday that it already is for many of us. Let’s make Chanukah into a “dedication celebration” for all eight nights (many of us already do these things) and have fun:

- Decorate our homes with signs of Chanukah and lights and announce who we are and the miracles of the Jewish season and Jewish contributions America’s diverse culture.

- Arrange nights of remote connections with family and friends. Distance and quarantine can be overcome by FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangout.

- Join TBZ for a remote community Second Night of Chanukah Shabbat on Friday, December 11, at a special time of 6:00 PM with Cantor Rosalie Will as we all light candles from our homes. Here’s the Zoom link.

- Help our students bring good Chanukah stories to school with them. One of my favorites is Lemony Snicket’s: The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming

We could all use excuse for good and safe celebrations done from our homes which allow us to share warmth and light and joy in the world.

Let’s remember that being Jewish is about finding miracles all around us and that miracles should be a source of joy.

When we remember, in the words of the Chanukah blessing, “Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who did miracles for our ancestors, in those days at this time,” we remind ourselves to connect with the sources of joy that Jews have found in the dark time of year, no matter what darkness we confronted.

When we say blessings and prayers we open our eyes to the miraculous surrounding us, raising the sparks of God that we can see in all things, and kindling them into the candlelight that helps warm our homes with welcome, cheer, and joy, in Chanukah’s month of Kislev/December, and all year long.

Happy Chanukah!