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

Jared loved the feeling of the man’s breath on the back of his neck. “That tickles,” he said with a giggle. “But I like it.”


“This feels nice,” said Shai, adjusting his hips even closer to Jared. “It feels so natural. Like this is where I’m supposed to be.”


He exhaled loudly, but Jared did not know what to say. He had not expected any physical intimacy with Shai, especially in his own home, with his mother on the other side of the wall. Instead, Jared took Shai’s right hand and held it tightly, the two of them spooning, fully-dressed, enjoying one another’s warmth for a nice, long moment. Finally, Jared flipped toward Shai so they were face to face, both their heads on the pillow.


They kissed. Shai blinked his eyes and smiled, and Jared smiled back. Then they kissed again.


Chapter 26