It was snowing all day, and then it wasn’t. But it was cold.   We didn’t care. We gathered in Mitchell Park at 5 p.m., on Dec. 14, and Rabbi Howard Diamond led the prayers before we welcomed Hanukkah by lighting the “candle” on the first of the eight nights of the holiday. An ecumenical spirit filled the park as Christmas lights glowed in the background. Back at the shul, latkes were heating in the kitchen, vodka was plentiful on the refreshments table,  and the band was tuning up. There were dreidels and chocolate coins, decorations around the community room, and friends and neighbors joining shul members in the spirit of good will. It was a grand night of celebration.                                                     SMBloom photos