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How a Nice Jewish Girl Did Christmas – and Chanukah, Too!
By Suzan Berns, a freelance writer in the Bay Area. (This article is reprinted from Bridges, the Federation's interfaith newsletter of ideas, information and current events. You can find more stories of interest to interfaith families such as unique ways to celebrate Chanukah and sign up for monthly issues here.)
It’s a tough season for many Jews – particularly if you’re a Jewish kid. In the Conservative (religiously, not politically) Jewish household in the small Midwestern Jewish community where I grew up, we did Chanukah. And we didn’t compete with Christmas.
We Jewish families lit candles and waited for our nightly gift, which was always utilitarian and, need I say, disappointing (though Grandma and Grandpa did come through with something special at the family latke party). Of course, since Chanukah is based on the Jewish calendar, it was often long gone by December 25.
I wanted that Christmas spirit badly. I enthusiastically sang all the Christmas songs in my elementary school classes – even though I wasn’t sure it was ok to sing about Jesus. And on Christmas morning, as soon as my parents let me, I popped across the street to my best friend’s house to look at her loot. There were fuzzy winter sweaters and a new coat and, of course, toys—including the latest doll, with accoutrements. They went to church, but for me that was just an interruption between the morning gift gazing (or was it gift-envy) and afternoon cookie time.
By high school, my best friend had changed and so did my interest in Christmas. It was the mistletoe, the parties, and caroling in mufflers followed by hot cocoa around a blazing fire – in other words, the romance that I perceived – that interested me.
When I became involved with a Protestant partner, I realized I’d finally get to have Christmas. It could be warm and fuzzy, and without religious implications because he considered it simply a joyous family day. But as December approached, I became more uncomfortable about having a tree in my home. It just didn’t feel right. A friend and colleague and observant Jew helped me sort it out.
“Did he go to services with you on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?” she asked. Yes, he had – and with more interest, I might add, then my Jewish ex-husband. “Then you need to do Christmas with him,” was her advice.
So, for the first time, I went tree shopping. We picked out a beautiful, mid-size fluffy pine, and then shopped for ornaments. We decided on a Southwestern theme and purchased chili pepper lights and vividly painted wooden ornaments. The tree was surrounded by colorfully wrapped presents – we’d received boxes of them from his relatives in the East and, of course, shopped for our own. On Christmas morning we watched as his young teenage daughter opened up her goodies. And we opened ours. Not a utilitarian gift among them. I was having Christmas!
As the years passed, we created our own traditions. I bought a new menorah and we put it in the window, lighting the candles each night and sharing the time as the candles burned down. We hosted our annual latke party for friends and family, which occasionally coincided with Christmas. On Christmas, we visited different churches for midnight mass. And each year, we stored our lights and ornaments in their carefully-saved boxes.
When his daughter began spending Christmas with her boyfriend, just stopping by for a holiday meal, our tree got much smaller. The focus came off the presents and was directed instead to our family. Christmas, like Thanksgiving and Chanukah, became a day for us to gather together and simply enjoy the riches of our family and friendships.
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JCEF Sponsors The Jewish Americans, an Epic PBS Documentary Premiering in January on KQED
The Jewish Community Endowment Fund is the proud local sponsor of this epic production thanks to a grant from the Endowment Fund’s Francis S. Goldsmith Fund, a restricted fund with a focus on reporting the activities of Jews worldwide who have contributed to human betterment.
Following 350 years of Jewish American history, The Jewish Americans is a three-part documentary written and directed by the Emmy Award-winning filmmaker David Grubin. The show will air on PBS (KQED in the Bay Area) for three successive Wednesdays starting January 9, 2008.
The series is about the struggle of a tiny minority to make its way into the American mainstream. While the story of Jewish life in America is emblematic of the American immigrant story, it is also a unique story of ongoing discrimination and stereotyping coupled with some of the most remarkable accomplishments in American history, in the arts, commerce, science and academia. Beginning with the first Jews to arrive in New Amsterdam in the 17th century, the film offers a portrait of a people who epitomized the immigrant experience. Even as they faced bigotry and rejection, Jews embraced and influenced American culture while keeping alive their own traditions and heritage.
Below is a listing of broadcasts:
They Came to Stay/A World of Their Own
Part 1 examines the beginnings of Jews in America. In the 1700s, a small number of Jews came to America, struggling to hold fast to their faith and heritage while becoming part of the emerging nation. Though they fought in the American Revolution, they were at best tolerated, at worst shunned - becoming ready scapegoats in times of crisis. Even after the US Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion, states had the power to prevent Jews from voting, and their status remained uneasy.
Channels and Airdates
KQED Channel 9
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 15, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
KQED Life-Encore
Thu, Jan 10, 2008 -- 12:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 10, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 10, 2008 -- 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 13, 2008 -- 5:00 p.m.
KQED World
Fri, Jan 11, 2008 -- 8:00 a.m.
Fri, Jan 11, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Sun, Jan 13, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
KQED HD
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 13, 2008 -- 12:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 15, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
Part 2 examines the anti-Semitism Jewish Americans found while trying to enter the mainstream of American life. Irving Berlin, an immigrant from Russia, began writing tunes just as Tin Pan Alley was taking off, transforming himself into one of America's greatest songwriters with iconic songs such as "White Christmas" and "God Bless America." But in 1918, the year "God Bless America" was composed, America was closing its doors to foreigners and anti-Semitism was on the rise. Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, faced anti-Semitism in his confirmation hearings and then on the Court itself. Leo Frank, a Jewish American living in Atlanta, was unjustly convicted by a Georgia court of murdering a 13-year-old girl and lynched. Henry Ford, one of the most powerful men in the country, published strident attacks on Jewish Americans. And America's elite colleges and universities limited the number of Jewish students they would admit.
Channels and Airdates
KQED Channel 9
Wed, Jan 16, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 22, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
KQED Life-Encore
Thu, Jan 17, 2008 -- 12:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 17, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 17, 2008 -- 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 20, 2008 -- 5:00 p.m.
KQED World
Fri, Jan 18, 2008 -- 8:00 a.m.
Fri, Jan 18, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Sun, Jan 20, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
KQED HD
Wed, Jan 16, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 20, 2008 -- 12:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 22, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
Home
The final episode examines the Jewish presence after World War II. With Hitler defeated and six million European Jews murdered, American Jews were fighting despair. However, by 1946, with the return of Jewish American service men and the crowning of the first Jewish Miss America - Bess Myerson - a new spirit of optimism emerged. In 1948, Jewish Americans actively supported the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, but few chose to live there. By the 1950s, discrimination against Jews in daily life began to abate as quotas at universities and restrictions at resorts and housing gradually disappeared. By the turn of the 20th century, as Americans of other faiths began exploring the limits of their religious traditions, many Jews began experimenting with innovative spiritual practices as well, bringing Buddhist meditation into their own religious practice while Orthodox Judaism was thriving as it never had before.
Channels and Airdates
KQED Channel 9
Wed, Jan 23, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 29, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
KQED Life-Encore
Thu, Jan 24, 2008 -- 12:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 24, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Thu, Jan 24, 2008 -- 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 27, 2008 -- 5:00 p.m.
KQED World
Fri, Jan 25, 2008 -- 8:00 a.m.
Fri, Jan 25, 2008 -- 11:00 a.m.
Sun, Jan 27, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
KQED HD
Wed, Jan 23, 2008 -- 9:00 p.m.
Sun, Jan 27, 2008 -- 12:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 29, 2008 -- 3:00 a.m.
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Campaign Update with the Traegers: One Envelope, Many Gifts
We all know what our mailboxes look like this time of year; they are full of moving, worthy requests for our help. In fact, many of you will receive a letter from us! Certainly there are many ways to give back, but we’d like to suggest the Federation offers a unique strategy for creating real impact with your dollars.
As a Federation supporter, you know that your single gift combined with others, goes all over the world wherever there are people in need. It responds to the full range of human concerns in the Jewish community: local poverty, Israelis traumatized by the war, seniors braving winter in the former Soviet Union, domestic abuse, public health problems, hunger, disaster relief and more. It shores up our reserves for emergency assistance. And it goes far and wide to cultivate the vibrant Jewish community we all want to see in the Bay Area.
The Federation is, to us, one of the best ways to make our dollars work even harder – especially this year.
Time is running out to double your impact! The Nancy and Stephen Grand Challenge Grant will match a new gift or an increase to your gift, dollar-for-dollar, but you must pledge your support by December 31. By making your gift before year-end, you can also deduct your charitable contribution from your 2007 tax return. It’s good business, good philanthropy and will benefit Jews everywhere.
Many of you are hearing from us and others in our community who want to make a difference. When you receive a call, letter or email update, please keep in mind that because of your help, Jews here and throughout the world are saved, cared for and connected, and Jewish communities are rebuilt. And if you don’t hear from us, you can go directly to give online.
We thank you in advance and wish you a healthy and happy 2008.
Sincerely,
Carol & Norman Traeger, Campaign 2008 Co-chairs
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SF Business Times Features Article on JCEF
The Jewish Community Endowment Fund was recently featured in the San Francisco Business Times' annual non-profit issue. The article profiled JCEF Executive Director, Phyllis Cook, and highlighted many of the illustrious philanthropists who have made the Endowment Fund what it is today: a resource, a reserve and a source of strength for our community. Read the entire article
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JVS’s Intern Program & Employment Network
A beneficiary of JCF, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) builds the skills needed to succeed in today's workplace.
JVS is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit corporation founded in 1973. JVS builds the skills needed to succeed in today's workplace. It assists individuals in achieving self-sufficiency and helps businesses fulfill their employment goals.
JVS designs programs that provide a wide range of benefits.
Below are two innovative programs supported by the Federation’s Annual Campaign and the Jewish Community Endowment Fund:
JVS Kohn Summer Intern Program
JVS is proud to announce the 23rd annual Kohn Summer Intern Program, sponsored by the Kohn Fund of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. The Kohn Summer Intern Program is an 8-week internship geared towards undergraduate college students whose primary residence is in the Bay Area.
Participants are placed in professional positions at leading Bay Area Jewish communal agencies to gain valuable workplace experience and receive supervision and mentoring from Jewish community leaders. Additionally, students are introduced to volunteer opportunities in the Jewish community and exposed to issues currently facing the Jewish community. Students will earn a $2,500 stipend for their participation in the program.
This summer’s program dates are June 16 - August 8, 2008, and the application deadline is March 14.
Please contact Jocelyn Berger at jberger@jvs.org or 415.782.6225 for more information, or visit www.jvs.org/kohn.
The Jewish Employment Network
The Jewish Employment Network was launched in an effort to respond to the underemployed, unemployed or those in career transition in the Jewish community. It is being funded in part through a JCF Annual Campaign programmatic grant.
The workshops this fall were top-quality, and the program offerings are being significantly expanded in the upcoming year:
SAN FRANCISCO:
Currently job hunting? Job Search Strategy Team
Wednesday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., JCCSF.
Career coach Marian Esver will lead a discussion on polishing networking, interviewing and resume writing skills, customized to the specific needs of each participant.
2 Young 2 Retire: Re-Careering After 50
Wednesday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., JCCSF (instructor: Walt Keefe)
Career Transitions: Returning to the Workforce
Wednesday, February 20, 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., JCCSF (instructor: Peter Jacobs)
Jobs in the Nonprofit Sector
Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., JCCSF (instructor Emylene Aspilla)
Moms in Career Transition
(4-week series, $100 fee)
Wednesdays, March 5-26, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Congregation Emanu-El (instructor Linda Lesem)
FOSTER CITY:
Moms in Career Transition
(4-week series, $100 fee)
Thursdays, January 17 - February 7, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PJCC (instructor: Linda Lesem)
What Do I Want To Be When I Retire?
Thursday, February 7, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., PJCC (instructor: Mark Guterman)
Your Own Boss: Starting a Business or Consulting Practice
Wednesdays, March 12 - April 2, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., PJCC (instructor: Mark Guterman)
“Instant Expert” Technology Series
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., PJCC ($10/class)
March 25, Everybody’s Blogging! (Daniel Rochman)
April 1, Website Shortcuts (Clayton Yee)
April 8, Social and Professional Networking (Charlene Li)
April 15, Going Mobile: Staying Connected on the Run (Jamie Odell)
PALO ALTO:
2 Young 2 Retire: Re-Careering After 50
Tuesday, January 15, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Albert Schultz JCC (instructor: Mark Guterman)
From Empty Nest to Opportunity
(4-week series, $100 fee)
Wednesdays, February 6-27, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Albert Schultz JCC (instructor: Linda Lesem)
For more information and to register for any of these workshops
Contact Wendy Verba at wverba@jvs.org or call 415.782.6293.
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Other Events
Monday, December 24, 2007 - Tuesday, December 25, 2007,
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Ruby Skye, 420 Mason St, San Francisco (map)
The original and best annual party for Jewish young adults in the Bay Area! Over a thousand people enjoy amazing DJs and live entertainment and party until 2:00 a.m. We will be hosting a Ben-Gurion Society pre-reception (time and information TBA) for individuals who contribute $1000 or more to the Annual Campaign. Tickets for the Latke Ball are $25 online or $35 at the door. More...
Sunday, February 10, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Private Home, RSVP for Address, San Francisco (map)
A Women's Alliance/Young Adult Division event. Please join us for brunch and learn about how you can get involved with other women who are shaping our community.
The deadline to apply is Monday, January 7, 2008.
Honor a woman who exemplifies significant volunteer leadership and who values the importance of tzedakah in her life.
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - Sunday, January 13, 2008
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street, San Francisco (map)
Following a successful season Off-Broadway, Israeli American actress Iris Bahr presents a startling and provocative solo show about the splintered Israeli psyche. Bahr takes us into the world of a Tel Aviv café only minutes before a suicide bomber enters. (Buy tickets)
Thursday, February 7, 2008, 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
St. Regis Hotel, 125 3rd Street, San Francisco (map)
Don’t miss Business Leadership Council’s 2008 flagship event, the 3rd Annual BLC Gala Breakfast featuring a conversation between Warren Hellman, the Chairman and co-founder of San Francisco-based Hellman & Friedman, LLC, a private equity investment firm, and Marc Benioff, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Salesforce.com. More info.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - Thursday, May 8, 2008
A community mission scheduled to take place during Israel's 60th anniversary.
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