It’s actually NOT called a Menorah (even though, yes, I call it that). It’s a Hanukiah. Hanukkah Menorah.
Yes, you can spell Hanukkah many different ways. I accept all spellings that are close enough.
The off-set candle is a shamash, it means servant, you were very close, Bill.
No, it’s not early this year, it’s on the 25th of Kislev, same as every year. Jewish calendar is Lunar/Solar, and we’ll balance out with a Leap Month later on this year. And while many stores were shocked to find Hanukkah was the week after Thanksgiving, trust me. Any Jew with kids knew DAMN well when it was, so there was no excuse. (Dad, it’s only 10 days till Hanukkah!)
Yes, it’s eight nights. So the first day is generally the morning AFTER you lit the candles
No, kids don’t get presents every night. Or at least not fun ones. Some nights are socks, some nights are the GI Joe helicopter.
Yes, it’s a ‘They hated us, we fought, we won, let’s eat!’ story. Pretty much every holiday is like that if you’re a Jew.
No, I don’t light the candles on my work Menorah. They frown on that.
Yes, my work Menorah takes birthday candles. You got a problem with that?