This issue is the official Hanukah issue for the Great Neck Record. And thanks to local artist John Hirsch, once again this year, the front page of our Hanukah issue is graced with his beautiful, original art work, with this year's painting ''Desecration & Miracle,'' celebrating this most joyous of holidays.

This year, Hanukah begins at sundown on Sunday evening, Dec. 13, and continues with seven more nights of lighting the candles of the menorah, saying prayers, singing songs, playing the dreydel game, eating particularly delicious holiday dishes, exchanging gifts and ''gelt'' (money for the holiday), and, most important of all, spending time with family and dear friends.

Many families and groups of close friends have their own special Hanukah traditions---parties, dinners, maybe the much anticipated potato ''latkes'' that each year can be made only by a beloved grandmother or a devoted elderly aunt. Wonderful traditions just make the holiday more joyous, more memorable for all those of all ages.

Hanukah is a happy holiday. From toddlers to teens, from young singles and young marrieds to parents and grandparents, there is joy and fun, there is meaning, for one and all.

To our readers of the Jewish faith, we wish you all a beautiful, joyous, meaningful, very happy Hanukah. We hope that your traditions---the ones started so many years ago, and the ones you begin this year---will prove to be cherished memories for you and yours for many, many more happy and healthy Hanukah holidays to come.

Happy Hanukah!

Wendy K. Kreitzman