MY CHANUKAH WISH LIST - David Perlstein

Don’t think me greedy, but I have a long wish list for Chanukah presents, and I want everything.

Chanukah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights.” The eight-night (and day) holiday begins on the 25th of the month of Kislev which, in the lunar-solar calendar, falls anywhere between late November and the end of December. Chanukah sometimes extends into January.

Each night, we kindle an additional candle in our chanukiah (I also place an electric chanukiah in our living room window) until we reach eight. This commemorates a single night’s worth of oil burning in the Temple of Jerusalem for eight nights. The miracle followed the Jews defeating the Seleucid Greeks, who had desecrated the Temple, which was then rededicated. Chanukah means dedication.

Disclosure: Many modern scholars believe that the miracle of the oil was concocted by the Rabbis 200 or more years after the victory. They feared that Rome, occupying Judea, would be highly displeased by pesky Jews celebrating a military victory.

So, eight nights—eight gifts. Another disclosure: This is a fairly recent North American tradition giving Jewish children a “Christmas experience” of their own. Here goes:

1. The President orders the Navy to pull down the jolly roger from all its vessels after seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Also, black eye patches are deemed not mandatory for Navy personnel.

2. A new election in Israel replaces Bibi Netanyahu with a prime minister willing to acknowledge the many problems the nation faces, including violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and negative global opinion. Final disclosure: I love Israel.

3. More than one comic strip in the San Francisco Chronicle runs a bit about Chanukah. “Rhymes With Orange” by Hilary Price typically enables me to look in the national mirror and see my reflection.

4. Americans reject the political attitude that the late historian Bernard Lewis attributed to the Middle East: “I’m right. You’re wrong. Now, go to hell.”

5. Marjorie Taylor Greene keeps her House seat until her term ends in January 2027. I hardly see eye to eye with MTG. And I heard her say on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that death threats have been directed towards her son. Security put in place, MTG needs to elevate her game from talking the talk to walking the walk. Having distanced herself from Donald Trump—and Trump from her—she can now vote her conscience. Of course, her conscience may be out of shape.

6. A great experience for my wife, the actor professionally known as Carolyn Power, who will be shooting an independent movie this coming year. I have no doubt Carolyn will be terrific, combining talent with being the most prepared actor on set.

7. Another healthy year in which I bring out a novel to follow “Ride the Tyger.” I’m nearing completion of the first draft of a story that combines the angst of Franz Kafka with the humor of Karl Hiaasen.

8. More readers for “Ride the Tyger.” It’s an important and engrossing novel—and I should know. Check it out at davidperlstein.com.

So, Happy Chanukah. Or, Merry Christmas. Let me add, Happy Kwanza. Everyone has holidays, so I’ll register a ninth wish: Americans recognize the wisdom of the old saying, “We’re all different just the same.”

Order my new novel RIDE THE TYGER from Amazon, barnesandnoble.com, iuniverse.com, or from your favorite bookstore.