Jewish Christmas

Hope your holidays were filled with family, food and laughter. 

My family wishes yours a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

We ate Chinese food on Christmas Day to celebrate with my brother-in-law.  We had curry beef, sweet and sour chicken, and mushroom egg foo young. Since it's only the 3 of us for holidays, it's much easier to order in than to cook a huge meal that results in a week's worth of leftovers.

Shabbat Table Runner

Why do Jews in America enjoy Chinese food on Christmas? According to Kveller, it began on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and Chinese immigrants were two non-Christian immigrant groups living side by side in nearby Manhattan neighborhoods. And while it’s true that Chinese restaurants were likely the only option open for Jews on a holiday like Christmas. An article from The Atlantic said that Jews and the Chinese were linked by their otherness on Christmas because neither had yet assimilated into American culture or celebrated the holiday.

Food writer Michael Twitty explains further, sharing, ““How do you affirm your Americanness when the ‘American’ thing to do is celebrate Christmas?” he said. “You create your own ‘Christmas.’”

Shabbat Tea Towels

Today, most American Jews feel accepted and embraced by American society, and so the isolation and negativity previously associated with the necessity to eat Chinese food has long passed. Chinese food on Christmas is celebrated by society at large, and you can even find restaurants like New York City’s Mile End deli featuring special Chinese-Jewish menus specifically for the celebration of “Jewish Christmas.”

Shabbat

Shabbat starts each Friday at sundown, and lets me recharge my batteries singing and dancing at services at napping afterward. 

How do you celebrate Shabbat?

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