So yesterday was the first day of Chanukah, the holiday having begun the previous evening. (Jewish holidays always begin at sundown. “It was evening and it was morning, the first day.” Genesis 1:3) And, as is my habit, I read my email, Facebook, etc., before I got dressed for work. And there it was, on Facebook. A post from my friend N. Her father had died during the night. It was not unexpected, N’s father was 98, and had been living in a nursing home for years. Still, you’re never ready for that loss, no matter how old your father was, or how old you are, when it happens. But to observe your father’s yartzeit — the anniversary of his death — on the first night of Chanukah ... Last night was the big Chanukah party at synagogue.the party starts in the parking lot, with an outdoor candle lighting, with the Rabbi saying prayers, and the Cantor playing his guitar and singing Chanukah songs. Our local fire department sends one of its trucks (our fire commissioner is a memb