Posted on 12/24/2011 10:14:49 PM PST by JoeProBono
Christmas is not a Jewish holiday. Many Christians think of Christmas as an American holiday, a secular holiday or a cultural holiday, but most Jews today do not think of Christmas that way. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey, 82% of Jewish households never have a Christmas tree (and the idea of a "Chanukkah bush" is mostly a joke, not anything anybody takes seriously). The same percentage was found in a 2000 survey by the AJC, though I'm sure that survey skewed toward the more Jewishly-involved. Even among those who are intermarried, only half have a Christmas tree in the home and only 75% give Christmas presents (see Intermarriage and Jewish Journeys). A 2007 survey by InterfaithFamily.com found that only 37% of interfaith families that have decided to raise the children Jewish have a tree in the home. It has become a cliché to talk about the "December Dilemma," the problems that Jewish parents face when their children become jealous of the presents and the fanfare of Christmas, or when interfaith couples must decide what to do for the December holidays.
Many Jews (even highly assimilated Jews) are uncomfortable about Christmas. We don't object to Christians celebrating Christmas, but we don't particularly want to celebrate it ourselves, and there is enormous social pressure to celebrate Christmas, whether we want to or not. One Jewish writer said it's like being a man in the lingerie department: you feel like you don't belong there. Another Jewish writer said, "just try telling a Christmas enthusiast that the creche in front of your post office makes you uneasy; suddenly, 'frosty' describes more than just the snowman." Many secular Christians have told me that Christmas is my holiday too, and some of them get very angry or even nasty when I tell them that I don't want to celebrate it, calling me "Grinch" or "Scrooge." ......
Go out for Chinese food Many Jews go out for Chinese food on Christmas. In fact, Justice Elena Kagan mentioned this in her Supreme Court confirmation hearings: when a senator asked her where she was on Christmas, she said, "You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant." Someone even wrote a song about Jews eating Chinese Food On Christmas. The Chinese do not celebrate Christmas any more than we do, so most Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas. In Philadelphia and New York, there are several kosher-certified Chinese restaurants to choose from, so that even the most observant Jew can eat Chinese on Christmas............
I’m so sorry to hear this story. I’m sorry it happened to you—especially as a child. I can assure you the Jews didn’t kill Jesus—Man did. I’m surprised this happened in the Mid-west. Growing up in the southeast(KY)—most in the bible belt understood the relationship the Jews have with God and respected this. At least that was my experience.
"ok ok this is a song that uh, theres a lot of Christmas songs out there and uh not to many Hanukah songs so uh i wrote a song for all those nice little Jewish kids who don't get to hear any Hanukah songs."Put on your yamakah,
here comes Hanukah,
so much funnukah to celebrate Hanukah,
Hanukah is,
the feastival of lights,
instead of one day of presents we have eight crazy nights!When you feel like the only kid in town,
without a Christmas tree,
Here's a list of people who are Jewish,
just like you and me!David Lee Roth,
lights the Menorah,
so do James Konkirk Dougalas and the late Diana Shora,
Geuss who eats together at the Carnagi Deli,
Bosher from Shanana and Arthur Fonza Relli!Pualoman half jewish,
Goldi Hans too,
put them together what a FINE lookin jew!You don't need Deck the Halls or The Jingle Bell Rock,
cause you can spin a dradle with Captian Kirk and Mr. Spock!
(both jewish!)Put on you yarmakah,
its time for Hannukah,
the owners of the Seattle supersonikahs,
celebrate Hanukah!OJ Simpson,
NOT A JEW!,
but geuss who is?,
Hall o' famer Rod Karou!We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby,
Harrison Fords a quater Jewish!,
NOT TO SHABBY!Some people think,
Ebaniser Scrooge is,
well he's not but geuss who is?,
all three Stooges!!!So many Jews are rich o' biz,
Tom Cruise isn't,
but I heard his agent is!Tell your friend Veronica,
its time to celebrate Hanukah!,
O don't forget a harmonica,
on this lovely lovely Hanukah!
So drink your gin and tonicah,
and smoke your marajuanica!
if you really really wannukah,
have a happy happy happy,
HANUKAH!
By “redoubling” he meant “learning more Torah”. What did you think he was saying? ;)
Hmm.. What do us Jews do on Christmas?
Well, I work so my Christian brethren can enjoy their holiday.
Chinese food is definitely at the top of the list. However in South Texas, it isn’t much better than Valero tamales.
Family will go for a walk today and look at all decorations.
And, of course, I'll be hoping for a merry and blessed Christmas for all of my Christian FRiends.
ML/NJ
My neighbor is a car operator for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway....he always works Christmas, and tells me they’re totally swamped with Arabs, Asians and Jewish folks.
>>>Count the profit from Christmas sales!
While singing “What a friend we have in Jesues...”. :)
Sorry you had to experience evil people like that in the Midwest; I guess they are everywhere unfortunately.
Lots of interesting stories on this page. Here’s mine:
We were stationed overseas in the 1950s when I was an
Army Brat growing up. One of the guys in my dad’s office was Jewish and he and his family became very close friends of ours.
One December evening we were having dinner with them when Christmas carolers came by. Their boys immediately wanted to go out and sing along but their father said, “maybe it wouldn’t be a good idea...”
)f course, I asked why, and was told, “...because we’re Jews.”
My folks explained the history and differences to me when we got home. I was 7 years old.
Many favorite Christmas songs were written by Jews, FYI. I have many Christian friends and I happily go to their Christmas celebrations. Of course I don’t have a religious connection to the holiday, but I like the festive atmosphere and the fellowship the holiday encourages. I believe America has been so good for Jews because of the Judeo-Christian values upon which the country was founded. Christians and Jews are brothers. Today I am going to a Christmas breakfast at a friend’s house. And I will bring presents for my friends on their holiday.
On the other side, Händel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” is a favorite for Chanukkah.
Fish Platter #2- Serves 3 - with 5 Bagels: $39.99 Lox, Whitefish, Sable, Chopped Herring, Whitefish Salad, Sweet Muenster Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Cucumber, Black Olives, 5 Bagels with Cream Cheese ___________________________________________________________
Although I happen not to be Jewish, I have an affinity for "Jewish food". Where I live now there are no Jewish Delis. I truly miss Michael's Deli near King of Prussia, PA.
You Nailed It!
LOL! Did you ever see the "Honeymooners" Christmas episode? Ralph Kramden goes into a sweet, sentimental soliloquy about the pre-Christmas Zeitgeist that touches on the same things you mentioned.
Not being Christian hasn’t stopped a number of Jews from writing Christmas songs. Irving Berlin and Mel Torme for instance. Or Sid Tepper ...look him up if you’re gettin’ nuttin’ for Christmas. Makes no difference to me.
Probably the same thing I do on Chanukah, or Eid Mubarak or Wesak (Buddha's birth) - get on with my life. These people who suffer angst over these types of holidays have too much time on their hands and should grow a thicker skin.
Reminds me of this old joke......
The Teacher asked young Patrick Murphy: “What do you do at
Christmas time?
Patrick addressed the class: “Well Ms. Jones, me and my twelve brothers and sisters go to midnight mass and we sing hymns; then we come home very late and we put mince pies by the back door and hang up our stockings. Then all excited, we go to bed and wait for Father Christmas
to come with all our toys.
“Very nice Patrick,” she said. “Now Angelo Ianucci , what do
you do at Christmas?”
Well, Ms. Jones, me and my sister also go to church with Mom
and Dad and we sing Ave Maria , dance the Tarantella and when we get home we put almond cookies and Amaretto by the chimney and we hang up our stockings. We hardly sleep, waiting for Santa Claus to bring our presents.
Realizing there was a Jewish boy in the class and not wanting to leave him out of the discussion, she asked, “Now, Isaac Cohen, what
do you do at Christmas?”
Isaac said, “Well, it’s the same thing every year...Dad comes home from the office. We all pile into the Rolls Royce; then we drive to Dad’s toy factory. When we get inside, we look at all the empty shelves...And begin to sing: What A Friend We Have in Jesus..........Then we all go to the Bahamas .”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.