A Song for Chanukah

Matisyahu, the Hasidic Jew and reggae musician (yes, you read that right) has a wonderful song out for Chanukah this year. It's called "Miracle." Check it out here. It starts with an interview but he performs the song at about the 5:30 min. mark. The link includes an essay by Matisyahu about Chanukah songs and why there aren't more of them (one reason: famous Jewish singers like Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand were busy writing Christmas songs).

Happy Chanukah to all of our readers who celebrate the Festival of Lights. 

Happy Winter Solstice

Chanukah is the Festival of Lights, so it was appropriate that its first night coincided this year with the first day of winter and the beautiful light show put on by the Parks Dept. and the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Vistors lit candles on little wooden "boats" which were then launched on the shore of the lake. But they didn't go far, since the lake was practically frozen (it is winter after all).
The lights pictured here were candles in paper bags that lined the path hugging the lake. Hot chocolate was a welcome reward for all those who ventured out despite the lousy wether earlier in the day. The Parks Department and the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park sponsored the event.