CHappy CHolidays

For the last couple years, my friends have encouraged me to host a Channukah party, in response to the endless series of Christmas-themed parties (and also, the fact that I was the "token Jew" in the group). Last year, after the holiday season had ended, I agreed, and decided that I would host a Hannukah party the next time it came around. Granted, when I made that decision, I had no idea I'd be on another continent the next time Hanukkah came around, but nonetheless, the decision had been made, so my mind was set on it.
Last night I had some friends over for latkes, dreidels, and general light festivity. When invited, my friend Zeke wanted my assurance that my shiksa roommate would not be involved at all in the making of the latkes. I guaranteed him that I would be the only one making them, which comforted him, because he assumed that I was an old pro at the making of the latkes, given my Hebrew-ness. Little did he know I had never made them, let alone seen them made, though I had eaten them dozens of times. I did reveal this fact to him, after he had eaten some and given his approval.
A special thanks to my Aunt Sandee for sharing her latkes-making secrets.

Seeing as how Channuka is the Festival of Lights, a menorah was required. But in this mainly-athiest country, menorahs are pretty hard to find, even in the Jewish quarter. Improvisation was necessary. Here's what I put together:

For my Jewish brethren out there wondering where the Shamas candle is, it is the Pilsner. Pilsner is clearly the best beer when lined up next to Staropramen and Gambrinus, and its green bottle and gold foil neck really set it apart from the rest. For the non-believers out there, this page explains it all.

After latkes and candles, how could a Hanukkah celebration be complete without some dreidel spinning? Fortunately, a recent visit by Heather's mom provided us with some chocolate chips, which were absolutely perfect for the occasion.

As it so frequently does, the game dissolved into a "I can't stand to play dreidel any longer with these chocolate chips and not eat them" gorging of the bag.

We did get some snow yesterday, which provided us with what everyone's dream is, a white Channukkah.


A side story related to the making of the latkes. The recipe that was so generously shared with me required Matzoh Meal. Now, given the lack of menorahs for sale in this city, finding Matzoh Meal, I'm sure you can imagine, is a near impossibility. However, I had walked past a Halal food store a block or two from my flat many times, so I figured going in there was worth a shot. While they did not have the Matzoh Meal, they did, in fact, have matzoh. And since Matzoh Meal is nothing but ground matzoh (think breadcrumbs), I was in business.
While perusing the aisles of the store, I overheard the proprieters speaking in a language that was most definitely not Czech, but it still had the same obscurely familiar tone. Then I realized it was Arabic. Reaching back into the dark corners of my memory, I remembered the Arabic words for good-bye. In my life, I never thought I'd use Czech and Arabic at all, let alone in the same sentence. But there I was, saying "Dekuje! Ma salaam!", a Czech thank you and an Arabic good bye. After buying Matzah. In Prague. Got quite a smile from the store owner as he replied "ma salaam." Truly a unique experience.

So here's hoping you get a harmonica, have so much funnicah, wear your yammika, and have a happy Chanuka.