Yes, it’s that time of year again: Time for my virtual Menorah to make its annual appearance.

In 2001, I borrowed a digital camera from Montclair State University’s computer department and took pictures of my menorah. And I’ve been putting up the virtual menorah every year. It’s become a meme. I should add “Menorah meme-setter” to my resume. Or something.

It’s made in Israel, and has the symbols of the Twelve Tribes of Israel underneath the candleholders (no, those aren’t the signs of the Zodiac), and is supported by the Lion of Judah. It says “Yerushalayem,” the Hebrew for “Jerusalem,” across the bottom.

The menorah is traveling with me to Sarah’s house today, where I am giving the G.’s my birthday present: I’m babysitting so they can go out tonight. I’ll be there before Shabbat begins to light the menorah. Should be quite fun, what with there being four children in the house.

Hands up, those of you who only cleaned the wax from last year today or yesterday. (My hand is in the air.)

Happy Chanukah!

First the new UN Ambassador has some tough words for them, now the EU?

The European Union accused Iran on Friday of destabilizing the Middle East with its nuclear program and threats towards Israel, in a significant hardening of the 25-nation bloc’s tone towards Tehran.

A tough statement drafted for adoption by EU leaders at a summit also condemned Iran’s questioning of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews.

“The European Council expresses its concern about the negative impact of Iranian policies on stability and security in the Middle East,” The draft statement said.

“The European Council deplores Iran’s failure to take the steps required by the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors and the UN Security Council, and agrees that this could only have negative consequences for relations between the EU and Iran,” the draft said.

Of course, the proof will be in the final statement, not the draft. And whether or not the UN votes sanctions on Iran.

I’m already liking the new secretary to the U.N. Of course, my favorite thing about him is that he was not Kofi’s hand-picked successor. But this made me like him even more:

Incoming U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Iran on Thursday it was unacceptable to deny the Holocaust or call for Israel to be wiped off the map.

Ban, at a news conference, was asked about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who since coming to power in August last year has caused an outcry by terming the Holocaust a “myth” and calling Israel a “tumor” in the Middle East.

Ahmadinejad just ended a two-day international conference on the Holocaust that was dominated by speakers who questioned the extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazis in World War Two.

“Denying historical facts especially on such an important subject as the Holocaust is just not acceptable,” Ban said.

“Nor is it acceptable to call for the elimination of states or people,” Ban said. “I would like to see this fundamental principle respected in both rhetoric and practice by all the members of the international community.”

Pending:

Chairman of the Hamas faction in parliament Khalil al-Haya, told a crowd of tens of thousands at a Hamas rally in Gaza Friday that “(Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas has declared war on Allah and on the will of the Palestinian people.”

“We warn before it’s too late that we shall strike with an iron fist all those involved in hurting our leaders and members, and those responsible for the attempt to assassinate the prime minister,” he added.

It has spread to the West Bank.

Twenty Palestinians were wounded, two critically, in exchanges of fire between warring factions in the Palestinian Authority Friday.

Sixteen people were wounded in Ramallah, four in Gaza. Fatah officials reported that several Hamas gunmen have barricaded themselves in the Nazer mosque in the city of Ramallah and are firing at Fatah and Palestinian security forces inside the mosque compound.

It couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch of terrorists.

A conference was held in New York to discuss just that purpose. One Jerusalem has the videos. John Bolton, Dore Gold, and Alan Dershowitz spoke.

I’m sorry this is so late. Sunday was crazy and the rest of the week wasn’t much better.

Was Nancy Pelosi’s father a Revisionist?

10000 Latkes (no, not heading to Scranton Pennsylvania)

And read about a beautiful sharpshooter.

Where you ask? At Haveil Havalim #97 hosted Jack’s Shack.

Thanks again to Meryl, for allowing this public service announcement. Keep a look out for Haveil Havalim #98 this Sunday.