A Jewish friend of mine, David Katz, once commented that living in Salt Lake City was the only place where a Jew was considered a gentile, and with that we had a good laugh.
He and his wife, Connie, enjoyed living in Salt Lake City and were active in many community causes.
Connie continues to volunteer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, gathering art that will enrich the lives of the patients and workers there.
The Katzes started a business in Palm Springs, Calif., using Utah artists, many who became prominent through their efforts — James Christensen, Gary Collins and Chris Young to name a few.
They eventually also opened Coda gallery in Park City.
Those in the LDS culture have a great respect and fascination for all things Jewish and hold members of the Jewish faith in high esteem as a covenant people, something we feel we have in common.
A Menorah, the symbol of Judaism, is a candelabrum with seven branches or a nine branched one used for Hanukkah.
In the East, a Menorah is a common sight, especially in New York City, but in Utah I haven't noticed too many in public places. (Please tell me if I'm wrong.)
While living in Connecticut for 35 years, my husband and I watched as the school Christmas programs became holiday programs. In 2005, we attended our granddaughter Sydney's school program in Stratford. The program included Hanukkah songs as well as songs from other traditions as well.
As the demographics of Connecticut changed, so did the public situations.
Does that now make Christmas in Connecticut a pagan celebration?
In my mind it doesn't, unless individuals let it become so.
In her book "Simple Abundance," Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote a journal page on Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights. She alluded to the fact that many of us think of Hanukkah as a festival only for those who practice Judaism.
Then she quoted an excerpt from Rabbi Harold Kushner's meditation "To Life: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking," in which he says:
"If it weren't for Hanukkah, we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas. Had the Maccabees not rebelled against the Greeks, the Jewish faith would have faded into Greek culture, never to be heard of again. There would have been no Jewish community for Jesus to be born into a century and a half later.
No one would have remembered the messianic promises he claimed to fulfill.
Without Hanukkah, there would have been no Christmas."
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to be a gathering time for many different peoples. Hanukkah has been mentioned.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, and in 1966 the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa was started and is now celebrated worldwide on Dec. 26.
I once thought it silly to make up a holiday, just pull it out of a hat like that.
Then I read the purpose was to focus on values, culture and history. It was also to gain more understanding about African-Americans' roots.
I changed my mind.
Gathering is good. Families are central not only to the survival of life on this planet but also to the very essence of who we are.
Being alone this particular season is probably the loneliest experience a person can have.
We can tweet, blog and use the apps on our iPhones, but it is human touch and sharing of life that we long for.
Ban Breathnach councils "Sacred oil in a temple. Loaves and fishes on a mountainside. Miracles are of Spirit, not any one faith.
"Miracles are for anyone who believes. That is the heart of Hanukkah and the soul of Christmas."
This is the season of miracles. May each of you find the one waiting for you this year.
e-mail: sasyoung2@aol.com