Tonite, on this secular New Years Eve, before my wife and I go to see Comedian Lisa Lampenelli, we will light our Hanukkah candles and remember that even though all Jews don’t agree on everything, we are still Jews.

My wife and I argue over politics constantly, rarely ever agreeing on anything, but amongst our fights and bickering, we believe it is our “Jewishness” and our love for one another despite these differences that keeps us toghether.

Below, you can click on a link to see a short Hanukkah video from AISH.COM. Happy Hanukkah my friends and Happy New Year!

BLESSING OVER THE CANDLES:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
asher kidishanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu
l’had’lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein)

BLESSING FOR HANUKKAH:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein)

From Peter Yarrow’s “Light One Candle”
Light one candle for the Macabee children, with thanks that their light did’nt die.
Light one candle for the pain they endured, when their right to exist was denied…
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice justice and freedom demand…
But light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemaker’s time is at hand

Don’t let the light go out!
It’s lasted for so many years!
Don’t let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.

Light one candle for the strength that we need, to never become our own foe…
And light one candle for those who are suffering, pain we learned so long ago…
Light one candle for all we believe in that anger not tear us apart…