No one will ever confuse me as an expert on Jewish holidays and traditions, having grown up in a town where the local synagogue building was owned by the Catholic Diocese and used as the Bishop’s office. Jews were a decided minority in my childhood – I think I only knew one Jewish family. And 1950’s elementary school Catholicism wasn’t exactly nuanced in its ecumenical approach to any other religions (“If you aren’t Catholic, you’ll fry in Hell for all Eternity.”) By the time I was in high school the demographics of the town hadn’t changed much. The little Jewish cemetery, located just a few yards behind the new Catholic high school, was more a favorite “secret” meeting place for hormonally-charged classmates skipping classes rather than a resource for the religion and culture of those interred.

I say all this as a preface to explain why this may not be the most politically (or religiously) correct Hanukkah greeting ever – but it is, nonetheless, a sincere and joyous wish that this Festival of Lights may be a harbinger of a bright future for all.

Happy Hanukkah!!!

By the way – did you know that Yorkshire terriers were Jewish? Me neither. Oy vey.