Passion kept one fully in the present, so that time became a series of mutually exclusive 'nows.'

Last week I said, 'You know, I think maybe the kids might need prom clothes.' They immediately sent out emails to every Jewish organization in the entire country on Tuesday. And by Friday, the clothes started arriving.

These kids have lost everything, lost absolutely everything you owned. And they're so excited and they're touching the clothes. These kids have touched my heart, you know. I feel a responsibility to them, so it makes me feel good.

Hanukkah represents the eight days that oil burned in the temple when there was only enough to burn for one night. Our gathering this year has even more meaning in light of recent events. As small as our Jewish group has become that's met in Diamondhead for 20 years, it's important that we be together. No one remains untouched by the hurricane.