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

“Well, I’m going to my mom’s for Hanukkah. And I want you to come.”


“What?” asked Shai, as if surprised. “I thought you guys weren’t observant.”


“We’re not—not like that—but come on, it’s Hanukkah. A chance to get together with family, and my mom is my family. We do the brisket and presents thing once a year. After all your family did for me, it’s the least I can offer. Come with me, please?”


“Yeah, bring your passport,” joked Jared. He could tell that the invitation made Shai uneasy. Sneaking around Manhattan by day was already risky for him, but venturing across the Hudson to another state for a secular Jewish party? That was pushing it.


“I dunno. I don’t know what I’ll tell my parents.”


“Really?” asked Jared, losing patience. “You’re twenty-two and you need your parents’ permission to go to Jersey for the evening?”


Chapter 18