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

“How much time do you have?” asked Jared, worried Shai was going to rush off again, as he seemed wont to do.


“My uncle’s not in the office today. He took a half-day off for Hanukkah stuff with his kids, but I’m supposed to be working.”


“Play hooky with me,” said Jared with a mischievous grin. “I want to take you somewhere.”


“Surprise. My favorite place in all New York!” said Jared excitedly. “Do it, do it. Do something naughty, just for once in your life.”


Shai rolled his eyes but relented, flinging his black scarf over one shoulder in a devil-may-care fashion and standing, ready to march.


They walked eleven blocks north and entered the giant glass doors of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. They checked their bags and coats, then Jared led Shai up the stairs.


“This is my temple,” he said, using a hushed voice. “This is where I find peace and where I come if I need to feel religious.”


Chapter 14