Take part in Hanukkah celebrations

“It was this holiday season, as a first-year college student, that I played dreidel for the first time, learning each face of the dreidel; nun. gimmel, hay, and shin (or pey in Israel) and their meanings before playing the game. Making note of the other players’ techniques, I gave it a go. The dreidel spun about itself sideways for a few seconds before falling, and to make matters worse, I continuously landed on nun and shin. Though I won no gelt at the end of the game, it was decided I should have all of it as a first-time player. Win or lose, this simple game filled the room with a warm energy that united us all.”

“This year, I’ve gone to Berlin’s Hanukkah-Basar to pick out my first menorah and get some dreidels for the office Christmas party. I’ve rallied other Jews in the office to don ugly Hanukkah sweaters (“This Is How I Roll” next to dreidels for me) and play Alma’s dreidel drinking game. On Sunday, I’m showing up for the menorah lighting at Brandenburg Gate after making latkes using my mother’s applesauce recipe. And at my new apartment here, I’ll follow the commandment to place my menorah on the window sill for all to see. My very patient Greek Orthodox wife will join me as I light the new hanukkiyah, shedding a sweet light to remind me of days long ago.”