My sister has compiled a very excellent webzine here. Titled "I Told Santa I Was Jewish: Tales of Hebraic Awkwardness at Yuletide," it is sure to warm your hearts during this interminably long holiday season.

Hanukkah was early this year (December 1). The holiday season is always a bit awkward. I have come to terms with the lack of Hanukkah music and the weak, if present, public displays. I have never craved the public recognition of my religious practices, perhaps because I am quite comfortable with the role of Jews and Judaism in American life. But, even an atheist like me can't help but feel like a member of the Green party; an also ran in a highly public election. Christmas is not my holiday, but it is all-consuming from Thanksgiving until the 25th. The "holiday season" is one, long, not-so-covert celebration of Christmas, punctuated with decorated trees, music, and Snoopy.

I propose ridding our culture of the term "holiday season" as well as "happy holidays." Let's just be honest with ourselves. I propose that we maintain the current two month long celebration of Christmas, but that during the eight nights of Hanukkah, our country's focus entirely shifts to the otherwise-insignificant Festival of Lights. All Christmas music ceases; all commercials featuring people buying Christmas gifts and bonding are instead replaced by PSAs featuring Hasidic Jews, warning of the dangers of improperly placed Hanukkiah candles (and instructing the rest of the country to not recognize Reform or Conservative Judaism); greeters at stores wish shoppers happy Hanukkah in perfect Hebrew; and the White House erects a massive Hanukkiah on the front lawn (although I would also accept a slightly smaller Hanukkiah on the tip of the Washington Monument). Then, after we get our eight days, we turn it back over as if nothing happened.