Christmas is not everybody’s favorite holiday. Historically; Jews in America; whether participating in or refraining from recognizing Christmas; have devised a multitude of unique strategies to respond to the holiday season. Their response is a mixed one: do we participate; try to ignore the holiday entirely; or create our own traditions and make the season an enjoyable time? This book; the first on the subject of Jews and Christmas in the United States; portrays how Jews are shaping the public and private character of Christmas by transforming December into a joyous holiday season belonging to all Americans.Creative and innovative in approaching the holiday season; these responses range from composing America’s most beloved Christmas songs; transforming Hanukkah into the Jewish Christmas; creating a national Jewish tradition of patronizing Chinese restaurants and comedy shows on Christmas Eve; volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens on Christmas Day; dressing up as Santa Claus to spread good cheer; campaigning to institute Hanukkah postal stamps; and blending holiday traditions into an interfaith hybrid celebration called “Chrismukkah†or creating a secularized holiday such as Festivus.Through these venerated traditions and alternative Christmastime rituals; Jews publicly assert and proudly proclaim their Jewish and American identities to fashion a universally shared message of joy and hope for the holiday season. See also: http://www.akosherchristmas.org
#517355 in Books Westview Press 2011-07-26 2011-07-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .91 x 6.00l; 1.05 #File Name: 0813345545400 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Book on the Evolution of RaceBy Alicia DolanI used this book for my class on Racism. While I couldn't stand the first chapter (because it just droned on and on); I have enjoyed every chapter since on the evolution of racism as we know it today in the United States.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. "Race" is becoming an anachronistic ideaBy malhillThis book debunks the idea of biological determinism; but warns against the fact that some people still believe in it. Others are replacing the "race" concept with the idea of inferior cultural backgrounds; etc.; thus preserving their prejudices. They don't recognize the mounting evidence that a human infant from anywhere on the planet can be transplanted to any culture and be able to fit in; if raised in it without being assailed by ... racists.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Words cannot describe the importance of this book. Racism ...By personWords cannot describe the importance of this book. Racism is not innate. It is a learned ideology. This is the history of that ideology.
