DECEMBER 2 • 2021 | 7 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com had Christmas. I don’t think I realized, at that time, how min- iscule the Jewish population was compared to Christianity in the bigger world. By the time I reached col- lege age, I was more aware of the unbelievable power of Christmas. My wife (then girl- friend) was placed in a dorm room with two girls from the west side of the state. Her room- mates were intrigued and curi- ous to meet an actual Jewish per- son, and the cultural exchange led to some good discussions. Another roommate invited her to midnight mass one Christmas, and I was included. The mass was spiritual and beautiful, but we knew it was “their thing. ” It felt like a field trip, definitely an “away game. ” JEWISH IDENTITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS After we got married, we moved to Cincinnati for my residency training. We moved into a decid- edly non-Jewish community. We had our first child and began to develop our holiday family tra- ditions. I recall huge Christmas trees in the homes of our neigh- bors. We were invited over for cookies and to help deck their halls. Feeling a bit like strang- ers in a strange land, we had more of a need to emphasize our Jewishness, and we invited them to taste latkes and to light Chanukah candles. But I began to feel a greater sense of how our Jewishness was perceived as oth- erness (by us as well as by them). Many of our neighbors were really shocked to learn that we didn’t celebrate Christmas. My wife and I had always enjoyed singing and we knew a lot of Christmas carols, and we didn’t feel at all hesitant about singing them with our neighbors. We may even have gone caroling door to door. I’m not sure if I sang about “Christ the Lord, ” but I certainly didn’t mind singing about Santa and Rudolph! When we returned to Michigan, we soon had our three children, which seemed to further intensify the importance of expressing our Jewish identity at the holiday season. We lived in a Jewish neighborhood but had an even greater awareness of the power of Christmas to the greater world. We updated holi- day traditions, including family Chanukah parties and enjoyed singing songs from “Dreidel Dreidel” to “Ma Otzur. ” A night- ly favorites was “In the Window, ” which talked about the glow of the menorah shining out, which I now see may have been our version of the Christmas lights shining in front of the homes of our non-Jewish neighbors. I recall taking our kids to see the Christmas lights displays in other neighborhoods. Again, it felt like a field trip to a winter wonderland. I don’t recall a lot of “Christmas envy” from our kids. We also became aware of the wonderful sense of giving and generosity that accompanies the commercial blitz of the holiday season. This is the time of year when many folks make big con- tributions to the Salvation Army and Yad Ezra and participate in clothing drives and soup kitch- ens. It really seems to bring out the best in people. HOLIDAY MUSIC For many years, we have enjoyed the Pop Series at the Detroit Symphony, which includes a Christmas concert, whoops, I mean a “Home for the Holidays” concert. We love listening to the beautiful music, secular and religious, including gorgeous harmonies from the high school choirs. They would always toss in a cute version of a happy song in a minor key “for our Jewish friends, ” but we all knew that Christmas was really what it was all about. And we really enjoyed it! Even though our muted clothes were lost in a sea of red and green, we joyfully sang along. The explosion of various types of media and the increasing commercialization of Christmas has seemed to further encourage my uncertain feelings at the holi- day season. I think this coincides with a growing sense of concern about the separation of church and state. The seeming harmless- ness of singing Christmas carols gradually seems to feel a part of a slippery slope toward a more overtly Christian nation. But we still love to sing those beautiful songs along with our Chanukah medleys. In fact, my wife and I have a tradition of singing songs of the season in the car with two of our dearest Jewish friends. We remember all the harmonies to “The First Noel” and the car provides nice acoustics, as well as a warm respite from the outside world. But, there still is that linger- ing question that we all have to answer. How much do we assimilate with the prevailing American (Christmas) culture and how much do we choose to maintain and be true to our Jewish culture? Is Christmas joy really a threat to anyone? Is it OK to take your kids to see Santa and Christmas lights? And is it appropriate for us to sing beautiful songs that celebrate … well “you know who, not the lord”? My song parody expresses another way to think about the same questions. (Sung to the tune of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”) It’s the most Chanukah time of the year With the latkes we’re frying and presents we’re buying And loved ones are near It’s the most Chanukah time of the year (but) it’s the least secular sea- son of all. With your neighbors’ lights glowing and folks mistle-toeing “you know who’s” at the mall. It’s the least secular season of all. With the carols they’re singing and Christmas bells ringing A Jew can feel kind of ignored What’s a mere game of dreidel compared to a cradle Containing “the son of the lord?” But it’s a most wonderful time of the year Neighbors helping each other, like brother to brother And full of good cheer Yes, it’s a most wonderful time Christmas joy isn’t a crime It’s a most wonderful time of the year. Happy Chanukah to all and to all eight good nights. Dr. Jeff London is a retired child psychia- trist from Farmington Hills.