Twenty-five-year-old TV producer Jared Greenfield loves his big city life -- job, friends, and shopping -- but even with all the fun of big city life, he feels a longing for something, or someone, more. Then, on the very first night of Hanukkah, he spots a handsome, sweaty basketball player at the Jewish Community Center.<br><br>Tall, dark, and Orthodox, the young and athletic Shai Goodhart strikes up an easy friendship with Jared, only to discover Jared has very little appreciation for his own Jewish heritage and religion. Determined to enlighten this “Bad Jew,” Shai invites him over for a family Hanukkah celebration.<br><br>Then Jared discovers Shai’s deepest secret and the biggest threat to his future. Over the eight days of Hanukkah, deep emotions pull them closer and closer together. Can they ever reach across the divide of their shared culture and fall in love?

Hanukkah Gifts

“Seven. I have four nephews and three nieces.”


“That’s a lot. And I assume all their parents wanna come, too?”


“So, eleven tickets to Peachy’s Nest.” Jared sighed, as if taking a big order.


“Only if you can,” said Shai, backing down. “Please don’t go to any extra trouble.”


Take off your shirt and I’ll do anything you want, thought Jared.


“Borough Park, Borough Park!” the subway announcer shouted through the intercom, and the doors opened.


“This is me,” said Shai, getting up.


“I’ll get off with you,” said Jared, following him. For a minute, they walked in silence, then turned to one another and began speaking at the same time.


“I feel bad for asking you such a big favor,” said Shai.


“I feel bad for teasing you about your beliefs,” interrupted Jared.


“I’m sorry,” they said at the same time, then laughed and exited the subway station.


Jared sucked in the cold, winter air of Brooklyn. It always felt cleaner than Manhattan, he thought.


Chapter 5