In the late 1980's there was a television show called Thirtysomething, created by a couple of thirtysomething producers. (In the late 1990's the same pair created fortysomething, which they actually called Once and Again, and you can expect a fiftyomething drama to appear on television in about five years). Prominently featured among Thirtysomething's ensemble cast were a couple named Michael and Hope. I remember so well, during the first season, when Michael, a Jew, and Hope, a Christian, were debating the religion of choice for their home and infant daughter.

This tense debate occurs on the show surrounding the upcoming December holidays. Michael is pushing for Chanukah and Hope is advocating Christmas. After a number of unresolved arguments, the show ends on a Gift of the Magi note as Michael, the Jew, is dragging a Christmas tree into the house, only to find Hope, the Christian, lighting the Chanukiah.

This Hollywood ending was disappointing, to say the least. First of all, the implication is that celebrating Christmas and Chanukah in the same home is perfectly fine. It is not, and it is a disgrace to two religions at the same time. Second of all, the television show reinforces the false notion that Chanukah is the primary ritual observance of the Jewish calendar.

I wish I would never hear again, "I don't celebrate Christmas--I celebrate Chanukah." Instead, what I long to hear is, "I don't celebrate Christmas--I keep kosher, I observe Shabbat every week, I celebrate 13 days of Yom Tov every year, plus nine days of Chol Hamoed, not to mention minor holidays, like Purim, Tu Bishevat, Yom Haatzma'ut, Yom Yerushalayim, and yes Chanukah, too. And did I mention one or two days of Rosh Chodesh, eleven times a year, plus five public fast days, Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron. And in between I visit the sick, give tzedakah and study Torah. No I don't observe Christmas. I'm Jewish, everyday of the year."

And here's the strangest feature of that Thirtysomething episode. The year it aired, Chanukah occurred in November, around Thanksgiving time, just like this year. But somehow, in Hollywood, Christmas and Chanukah must coincide, even if the calendar doesn't agree.

The interesting thing is that Chanukah has more in common with Thanksgiving than with Christmas. Here's why. The original Thanksgiving, the legendary meal declared by Governor William Bradford in 1621, was based on the biblical Fall festival, otherwise known as Sukkot. Chanukah, according to one of its main sources, the 2nd Book of Maccabbees, is also based on Sukkot. That is why Chanukah is celebrated for eight days, the same number of days of the Sukkot festival in Israel.