Chanukah is not simply another Jewish holiday where “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” Yes, the extraordinary Maccabean victory over the Greek-Macedonian Empire should be celebrated. The miracle of finding pure olive oil to light the Temple menorah is also extremely important to remember; as well as all of the other miracles Hashem has performed for us throughout history. Yet there is still something else that sets Chanukah apart from every other Jewish holiday that modern Jews today seem to gloss over.

Pesach is around the corner. Soon we will be remembering the slavery in Egypt, our wandering in the desert, and our first entry into the land as a nation under the leadership of Joshua.

It was a day where everyone would dress up in blue and white (instead of our school uniform), eat falafel, and participate in Israeli dancing. We were proud Jews and proud of our country. And yet, we were content living 11,244 miles away.