"Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel hanuka. Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, she-asa nisim la-avoteinu ba-yamim ha-heim ba-z'man ha-ze."
It had been years since the words of the traditional Hanukkah blessings had been spoken in Alan Epps's home, but with Don's recent rediscovery of his faith, he felt it was time.
December 19th, the final night of Hanukkah, Alan had invited both his sons and their friends over to celebrate the lighting of the candles and share a meal. Don, along with Alan and Charlie, who both fumbled the words a bit, had recited the blessings and lit the candles, while Amita, Larry, Robyn, David, Colby, Liz and Nikki looked on.
After, they had sampled the buffet, which Alan had prepared after unearthing an old cookbook from storage. The table was filled with Loukoumades (Fried Honey Puffs), latkes, bimuelos, cheese gilt coins, kugel, soft pretzels, brisket, tongue and Soofganiyot Doughnuts. Almost everything had been fried in oil, as was traditon, but everything was quite tasty.
Except the tongue, no one wanted to try the tongue. Later in the evening, Alan actually found David, Charlie, and Liz gathered by the table, watching as Colby braved a bite of the unappetizing dish. The young man's jaw worked hard as he chewed the tongue and after he swallowed, he proclaimed, "Chewy and a little salty, but I've eaten worse."
Amita, Larry and Nikki were watching all of them with more than a little tolerant amusement, while Don and Robyn were sharing a drink in the living room. The house was full of friends and happy sounds and Alan smiled.
Next year, he'd do this again.
