Temple Mickve Israel is the only synagogue in the United States whose floor plan resembles that of a neo-Gothic temple.

The Hope of Israel
If not for the Star of David over the front door, you might think the neo-Gothic temple that houses Congregation Mickve Israel was a Catholic or Episcopalian cathedral. Yet, as darkness settles on the city this eighth day of Hanukkah and members come together to celebrate, there's no mistaking that this is a synagogue.

Friends and families gather in the fellowship hall, their menorahs gracing the tables in front of them. "Every day we light an additional candle," says Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer. "Now, on the last night of Hanukkah, we light eight candles plus the shammes. It's a night filled with light, a night of great celebration."

Amid singing and laughter, the rabbi takes the shammes, the highest of the nine candles in his family menorah, and lights it. He moves from table to table until all have burning candles. As each family lights its own menorah, the darkened room begins to glow.

"Hanukkah is considered a minor celebration because it is not mentioned in the Bible, but Hanukkah and Passover are the two most celebrated holidays in the American Jewish community," Rabbi Belzer explains. "In our family, it's eight crazy nights. We're all getting together someplace or another doing some hoop-de-dah for eight nights. That's pretty amazing. My granddaughters get one present each night--we all do--so the house is filled with gifts."