It is a miracle... A Chanukah Blog!

Another holiday in the holy land... another wonderful experience.

So in honor of the 8 days of Chanukah, I thought I would share 8 things that I love about being in Israel for this holiday.

#1: There are so many sufganiyot (donuts) and they are really good. My favorite one is the Vodka filled donut. The vodka donut contains 35% alcohol, and the alcohol content of each donut is equal to that of a bottle of beer. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I can drink more beer than I can eat donuts.

#2. PARTIES... Like my donuts, my chanukah has been filled with many extra festivities. Including a Latke-fest at our apartment, a special chanukah dinner at my Hebrew teacher's home, and a chanukah jamboree at school. You will be proud to know that I'm racking the dough up at the dreidel table.

#3. Chanukah Decorations on the Lamposts... Unfortunately, I can't rate the Chanukah lights like I do in CT, but it is very cool walking to and from school and seeing Chanukiyot on every lamppost!

#4. You see people lighting candles everywhere! From homes to restuarants, to barber shops to supermarkets, when sunset falls people start lighting candles. Today we walked around a neighorbood just out side the old city and looked at all the candles in the windows, it was something very special.

#5. Speaking of Chanukiyot... Arielle and I bought a really cool one! You will have to come to Israel to see it but trust me it is awesome!

#6. Jerusalem cats dress up as the Maccabees and assemble at the Temple Mount to renact the Hasmonean revolts. It is pretty awesome, just like a civil war reanctment but with cats!

#7. Being in the place where the 1st Chanukah was ever celebrated.

#8. No X-MAS Music... (Though the hot song in Jerusalem these days is GMA got ran over by a Latke... It is an instant classic!)

I wish you all a very Happy Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, and/or winter soltice!

Peace and Love,

Ethan