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

“Exactly, hot stuff. And you are wonderful.”


They kissed once more, right as there came a knock.


“Boys!” cried Jared’s mother through the door, respecting their privacy. “Don’t mean to interrupt, but if you want to catch the nine o’clock train, you gotta run!”


“Ugh,” groaned Shai. “I wish we could just stay right here, like this.”


“I’m sure my mom wouldn’t mind,” said Jared, intrigued by the idea.


“Oh, my parents would.” Shai got up and smoothed his clothes, then opened the door.


Jared’s mother stood outside. “We’ll do your reading another time?”


“Sure, I’d love that.” Shai suddenly looked bothered and anxious, as if all the joy in his life had been slammed away from him.


“But before you go, I want to give you something,” she said, leading them to the front of the apartment. She opened a small drawer and rifled through the objects, then placed a small rock in Shai’s hand.


Chapter 27