That’s One Alternative Santa

Stern on the radio? Trump training.

Thank you for making me watch that. It's wonderful. Jon Lovitz looks and talks like Rabbi Yari (see the Kulanu Yachad web site for more)

Read this early in the day and commented on the wonderful responses. Now all of the curmudgeons have come along. My Christian faith is just as dear to me as that of my Jewish brethren, That doesn’t kill my sense of humor. The writer is telling a tale on himself and is clear about his secular approach to life. In the spirit of Hannukah and Christmas, (miracles, love of God) lighten up, people!

As a Jewish believer in Jesus I don't find your article very appealing, for the very simple reason that it is steeped in ridiculously ignorant claims. For example, you probably never have reflected on the fact that (1) gift giving at Christmastime is rooted in the Gospel story of the Three Wise Men who appeared after Jesus' birth. And (2) that Santa Claus is modeled on a real Christian named Saint Nicholas. Your substitute of Hanukkah Harry, although alliterative, bears no relationship to the Jewish historical events commemorated in Hanukkah. Neither in fact does the gift giving that Jewish people indulge in, which seems like a blatant mimicry of Christmas but without any historical or even textual foundation. I think you do yourselves and your children a profound disservice to steal these crucial aspects of the Christmas celebration without properly attributing them to their true source, as Christians like to say: The Reason for the Season. After all that is tantamount to plagiarism pure and simple. You also should investigate the Orthodox Jewish foundation for Hanukkah as a fundamentalist Jewish jihadist revolt against Greek secularism and universalism, both strong values of our American democracy. This year may you find the True Light of the World, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the only Menorah worth celebrating!

For Christians December 25 is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. God is represented in many religions, but only the true God gives humans the truth about right from wrong, decent from indecent, and moral from immoral.

This made me so sad on so many levels. Sad that over 3,000 years of Jewish history, heritage, values and achievement, have in the author's mind, been distilled to Stern, Roth, Dylan and kugel. Sad that his daughter will not learn about the beauty of Hanukkah Mitzvot (good deeds). For example, the mitzvah of sharing: if a person has only enough oil and wicks for the eight days of Chanukah, whereas your destitute neighbor cannot afford any, tradition teaches us that you should share with your neighbor, even though this means you might not have enough for all 8 nights. Or perhaps he might have shared the mitzvah of inspiring others by placing the candles in the window facing the street, so all may enjoy the beauty and be reminded that freedom from oppression and tyranny, (which is what this holiday is really all about) is a wonderful thing. Instead of paying respects to Harry, why not pay your respects to the Maccabees of old. Teach your daughter that no matter how difficult the task, or how insurmountable the odds, like the Maccabees, a small handful of people can change the world for the better.

The author may also not know that Jay Eidelman was on Judaism Unbound two years ago, episode 46, and explained that roots from the Babylonian winter solstice festival can be found not only in Western religions but also in Diwali in India. We may not be all the same but we may want religion to give us some of the same things.

It is apparently lost on most, that in recalling the Hanukkah Harry bit, Mr. Ruttenberg includes the part where Harry refutes the idea of children being naughty, "What, is that a crime? He's a kid. Kids talk! I'll bring him a little something ". This is a pointed example of Jewish ways and means.

I remember this first as a short skit with Harry Shearer playing the role of Hannukah Harry, the one who brings only practical gifts like socks and underwear. He's been a staple in our household for decades. Anyone else?

LOVE THE ARTICLE. But ... first, my viewing of the skit (NBC and/or YouTube owes you a nice dinner, one would think) DOES raise a couple of issues of a "REALLY?" nature. I get that humor/satire can have an edge, but this struck me as sly bordering on nasty at just a couple of points - the office/factory scene for one. More importantly, the questions you allude to ARE - without being too pompous, I hope - serious ones ... with "implications." How long will we "cultural Jews" - even if intermarriage & worship don't complicate an already complicated thing - have any more (significant) "identity" than "red heads," say?

I found this piece embarrassing and offensive. It gives a ridiculous and distorted view of Jewish practice.

Frankly, I do not see the big issue about Santa Claus for so many Jewish parents(or for that matter of Muslim or other religions).Santa Claus is by now a secular figure, a fairy tale invention of the secular commercial world we live in. Many Christian countries (like Spain until recently)had their own Christian celebration and gift exchange in other days (like the Three Kings) more clearly associated with the celebration of the nativity. Santa Claus (and the Christmas tree) has penetrated many places now, including Spain,Italy and many Latin American countries. They may keep both gifting days (3 Kings, the analogue of Hanukkah Harry) and Santa Claus (who is so detached from any religious tradition by now that it is absurd to even consider it an intrusion into religious or ethnic tradition). Santa Claus is a fiction of (first American, now global) capitalism and consumption who happens to emerge from his hiding place in the North Pole on Dec 24th. Keep the fiction for a few years for the kids' sake.

I was astonished to learn that Mr Ruttenberg didn't know that Hanukkah Harry was purely fictional, birthed on SNL. That show has often given us golden tidbits of Jewish humor. Of course, there's Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song. Then there's Xmas Time For The Jews, as sung by the incomparable Darlene Love. The original NRFPTP did a Hanukah skit, where a husband (Belushi) comes home and asks his wife (Jane Curtain if memory serves) what's for dinner. She replied, "Your favorite". He responds in obvious pleasure, "Roast pork?!". They then proceed to go back in time for their goyishe company to tell the story of the Hannukah miracle. My favorite is this tidbit from Weekend Update (please forgive me if I don't get it exactly word-for-word): "Well, Hanukkah is upon us and with that, the ADL has announced its annual Shanda For The Goyim award. This year the award goes to financier Ivan Boetsky. It marks the first time in 30 years the award does not go to – Roy Cohn.” That’s among the greatest inside Jewish jokes ever (Al Franken, perhaps?). The current SNL crew should revive that one for this year, with SO MANY available candidates in the Trump administration. A very wise Rabbi once told me that the true miracle of Hannukah is not about the oil lasting for 8 days-its that a force so largely outnumbered could succeed against a far greater foe. Its also the 1st time in recoded history that people fought (and won) a war for religious freedom.

You lost me at "Stern on the radio".

Religions are the way conscious social creatures express the impulse toward the light. In the same way does the sunflower turn its face to the sun. And in every religion are those who stand behind the flower, grasping the shadow around themselves. The light is life; the light is love; embrace the light. Darkness exists; darkness persists and expands; it preaches fear and hatred and hellfire. Endure the dark; hope for the light. This season celebrates the promise: the light comes for us. In the darkest time of the year, the light shines for us. Darkness cannot stand before it. Seek the light shines within you, and the darkness cannot take you. Joy to all in this season of the light.

My daughter has said, a few times, that when she grows up she would like to celebrate Christmas because so many other people do. I have told her, "It will be your right as an adult, but you'll break my heart." I'm not going to tell you how to celebrate Hanukkah or how to raise your daughter. I will tell you, however, that while carrot is good in a potato latke, chopped pieces of fresh apple can be wonderful. It's not the only secret in my latkes, but my family recently declared that I beat the best latke competition winner this past Sunday by a long shot. Happy Hanukkah (Chappy Chanukah?) to you, Jay. May your family be happy and your latkes crispy.

I know I am in the minority, but I found the piece offensive. Unfortunately, the holiday falls towards the end of the year and got lumped in with Xmas. I am a secular Jew, not at all religious, but through a little education, I came to understand the meaning of Hanukkah, the festival of lights. I would compare Hanukkah more to July 4th. Not only does Hanukkah represent the re dedication of the second temple, it is also the story of a successful rebellion against an oppressor (see what I mean?). You can keep Harry and the bush. They have nothing to do with the holiday. Hanukkah is steeped in tradition and has a history all Jews should come to understand and admire. Bah! Humbug!

This makes me sad. The world does't need more shallow materialists whose only "heritage" or spiritual resources are derived from pop culture. I wonder if Hanukkah Harry or Santa will bring your daughter a phone, so she can start taking selfies and build a following on social media.

Jay, you and many others only learned about the Holocaust and Ben Gurion, and nothing else. What about the thousands of years prior to that? Your child can make choices as an adult, but don't water down Chanukah to be silly, or competitive. She has more reason, and tradition, to choose Christianity. You can celebrate any/all Jewish holidays, without apologies, and she will figure out what to explore later on.

I loved the Hanukah Harry skit the moment I watched it the first time. It's so culturally incisive, for whenever the Catholic Church ran into a problem it hadn't dealt with before, the Vatican consulted the Talmud. After all, Jesus was Jewish to begin with and in order to argue his case with the Sanhedrin, he did have to know Talmud at some level. Unlike the author, my kids were old enough to know that Jon Lovitz's iconic character is a fiction, but there is Mensch on a Bench for their children.

Why should there be a Hanukkah vs. Christmas battle? Only a sliver of the "Christmas traditions have anything to do with the main question—was Jesus the messiah or not? The date of Christmas was probably derived from the Roman Saturnalia which was celebrated with lights and gift giving. That festival is probably an outgrowth of a more ancient solstice celebration. The Christmas tree was a German pagan tradition, brought to England and popularized by Victoria and Albert. Again, its origins are in solstice festivals. And Santa Clause is a secular person as well. We see no mention of such a person in either of the Testaments. So relax and join in the "Holiday" celebrations, Jews, and enjoy being part of a cultural tradition that has roots almost as ancient as your own.

This piece (and its comments) are wonderful! I see no reason why non-Christians (be they "lapsed" Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists or what-have-you) cannot enjoy (for example) bringing the living green into the house and decorating it with light at this time of year. Call it what you will, such a display has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Jesus or his divinity or lack thereof. In the northern hemisphere, surely the solstice is reason enough to celebrate light. Add your own religious holiday meanings (or not); most of our cherished "Christmas" traditions were stolen from the pagans or single-handedly created by Dickens (re-read "A Christmas Carol") anyway. Fundamentalist Christians harumpfing about "keeping the Christ in Christmas" would not have any need to do so if Christmas had not already sprung far beyond the bounds of Christianity itself. May all people this season find comfort and joy in giving, receiving, gathering, laughing, pondering and remembering, call it what you will.

Since you're so concerned that every group have its own version of Santa, don't forget about Kwanzaa Quincy.

As stated, Hanukah Harry brought socks. Ome year, with my teenage children and many friends with the same aged children, Hanukah Harry came to my Hanukah dinner and brought everyone socks. It was great! But I must mention it was AFTER the prayers and the lighting of the menorrah, not before. Hanukah has become the remedy to achristmas overload for American Jews. I am always thankful when it occurs early like this year so that when someone wishes me a Happy Hanukah the week before Christmas I can say “ Oh that has been over for weeks!” Hanukah Harry was a parody( and a funny one at that) of ourselves but he should never be confused with the real meaning of Hanukah.

The essence of Judaism, according to the teachings of Chassidus, is that we are here to make this world a suitable place for Hashem to live with us. We do this by obeying the Mitzvahs in the Torah; that is by being good and doing what is right and not doing what is wrong. Some of the most beautiful parts of Judaism are the customs that we have handed down from generation to generation. Eating fried foods on Channukah, like latkes is one of them. We love eating them, but are not enjoined to Halachically (legally). But the essence of Channukah is not eating or the giving of gifts; it is the light of the Menorrah and all that light represents in Jewish philosophy. We have so many wonderful things in Judaism to worship, celebrate and enjoy. I feel sad for those Jews who feel a need to compete with other religions.

With the benefit of hindsight I can see what a poor choice it is to compete with Christmas by giving presents on Hanukah. Firstly because the holiday is such a minor one, not ever mentioned in the Bible, and only given prominence because its near to Christmas and for no other reason. Secondly, the attempt to elevate Hanukah into something its not only demonstrates our insecurity about being different. Finally, the non-Jewish world has tried to convert or destroy us so many times we've lost count and still perpetuates conspiracy theories and plots in an effort to chase us away. So no, Hanukah Harry is not funny....

Why not? People celebrate Festivus too.

Since you get your holiday symbols from Saturday Night Live, how about a non-Jewish version of the Maccabees called the Killer Bees? Seems appropriate given the Crusades etc. in which thousands of Jews were murdered in the name of Christianity.

Ha! I'd never heard of Hanukkah Harry, but we KNOW the Chanukkah Mouse exists because we have a specially recorded message from him to our son from 30 years ago. Proof that said son cannot deny even today!

Comedy is such a weird thing! This article made me laugh out loud more than once - and yet the SNL skit the author heavily references is absurdly, embarrassingly, grotesquely (!) UNFUNNY. It is actually painful to watch - at best it could be called 'goofy'. It seemed like a bizarre group of aliens desperately trying to act out what comedy sketch routines are supposed to be like. More than anything, it reminded me how lackluster Saturday Night Live used to be.

"On, Moishe, On Herschel, On Schlomo!" It's easy to mistake pop culture for myth, but isn't that how it all starts, anyway? But then, I'm someone who celebrates Live Aid Day and Ella Baker Day annually. :)

Another missed opportunity to explain to children the powerful story of Hannukkah: Ancient Jews in Jerusalem resisting the Greek's attempts to force them to abandon their religion. It's kind of lazy (and a statement about perceived cultural inferiority) to draw upon a Jewish alternative to Santa. In today's politicized climate, why not use Hanukkah as a lesson about cultural pride and #resistance?

There's no need for a "Jewish version of Santa." Hanukkah and Christmas are distinct, unrelated holidays that merely happen to fall (usually) in the same month of the year. Or, to put it another way: Hanukkah is not, in any way, shape, or form, "Jewish Christmas." The underlying premise of this "comical" piece seems to be that Jews are somehow deprived because their religions and cultural tradition does not include the miracle that is Christmas and that to compensate they need to adopt their own traditions to fit into the vast, oppressively aggressive American Christmas industrial complex. If you want to celebrate Christmas as a family, fine. But if you're going to at least attempt to preserve some semblance of Jewish tradition, then it shouldn't be of the kind you describe -- the Christian-assimilationism of "Hanukkah Harry." Don't think that the Christian co-opting of Hanukkah, in the name of "inclusion" -- indeed, aided and abetted by apathetic and disconnected Jews -- is the answer. It's not.

Its amazing that in the last 3 days, the Editors of the NYT Opinion page have published 2 pieces about Hanukkah by writers conflicted in some way about just letting Hanukkah be Hanukkah. Both writers are compelled to link the Jewish holiday to Christmas. One finds the holiday hypocritical and the other playfully farcical. Will you be running a clever article about Santa not being real on December 24th? (I hope not.) Please NYT- a lot of us do not see Hanukkah has some lesser sister of Christmas. It is not. This is a troublesome editor decision! Enough already.

Perfect Misses the point of both holidays

Second opinion piece in the last few days about how Hanukkah has to outdo Christmas somehow. I feel I've gotten the Times' drift. Please let there not be a third, or publish one the other way around. Otherwise, thanks for little by little ruining the holiday spirit and making me feel worse for having a tree. Good job.

Whoever said Santa Claus is Christian? There is no dogma in the Santa myth. Santa has been around for a long time as a midwinter celebration. Keep Christianity AND Hanukkah out of Santa Claus!

NYT has now published two Hanukkah essays in the past week by people who pride themselves on their shaky connections to Yiddishkeit and whose grasp of Jewish history is appalling. Can we possibly get one well-written piece on the spiritual and historical significance of Hanukkah by someone who knows and cares about being Jewish?

Love this! Next up: Kwanzaa Kate!

This is a horrible story of a guy who takes the last parts of his Jewish heritage and trashes it just in order to make Hanukah even more like Christmas. It is sad that he thinks this is funny.

Jews have their own rich heritage. They don’t need to be imitating the heritage of others. It’s demeaning.

What a great piece. The comments are wonderful as well. Love lighthearted fun at the expense of stereotypes.

Raising our daughter Jewish in rural New England was always a challenge. That's where the South Park episode with its wonderful song "Its hard to be a Jew on Christmas" came in. We all sang it joyfully while it warmed our hearts with compassion. Suggest that you search for that for some family bonding around the holiday.

I'm a 80s kid and never heard of it before the SNL skit which I saw as an adult. I bet you can write him a better origin story, though. The better idea, I think, is to drop the entire special person bringing the gifts narrative and just admit that parents being the gifts through their very hard work and dedication to their children. When I was a kid, I knew other kids believed in Santa and I did not ruin it for them but I never believed it myself. I always knew anything I got was from my family.

My Dearest Mr. Ruttenberg: Hanukkah Harry is a product of the 1980s. Might I suggest it is high time for you -- or more likely your daughter -- to create a Hanukkah Hannah? I did enjoy your story, but, please, assure me we are way past the time when all wise and leading figures are male. Better yet, use your proven skills to make it so. Then YOU will go down in history.

As a fellow secular Jew (married to a somewhat religious Jew) I warn you that Hannukah Harry is a David vs. Goliath underdog in the Hannukah/Christmas battle. But having raised our 3 kids on the UWS of Manhattan, one of the most Jewish neighborhoods outside of Israel (yet without a really good deli; go figure) one of my favorite stories is about a winter break (not Christmas, winter) in Naples, Fl. Our 4 year-old son passed a giant Santa mannequin in a store window and said, look Dad, Tevye. I have to admit, it brought a tear to my eye.

When we lived in Manhattan, one of building's attendants asked whether we were celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah. My answer was: "Both!"

Long before Elf on the shelf, we had Hanukkah Elves. These were the Elves that hid the presents before the family’s big Hanukkah party so the kids wouldn’t know what they were given. Since we spent Christmas with my parents in Cleveland, the large as in size were given at Hanukkah and the small at Christmas.

An aunt and uncle, although Jewish, had a Christmas tree. As a tot, I asked my dad why they had one and we didn't. He quick wittedly explained that they were "purple Jews." For my age, that was a satisfactory explanation.

I am Jewish on both sides. My German Jewish father told us about some of the gifts coming from the “Chanukah man”. I don’t know if this was something from his childhood or something he made up, but it was definitely a thing in our family.

Hanukkah Harry most certainly pre-dates SNL. Where do you think THEY came up with the idea? As a young child I had a Hanukkah bush (pre 1957), with blue and silver tinsel (though no ornaments or star,) complete with a Lionel train set beneath it - brought by Hanukkah Harry. Growing a little older it was a family joke that Harry would bring us gifts, gelt (money, or specifically chocolate coins) and "other" goodies (the older we got the fancier the goodies could be, "a Mercedes Benz, my friends all drive Porsches")

My husband has Jewish background and I have a Christian background but we are non religious. We do celebrate Xmas, but also do a mini Hanukkah. We have been visited by Hanukkah Harry since my kids were tots. He tends to bring my kids useful gifts, like clothes etc. i guess we did it that way because on the SNL sketch Harry gives the kids socks and slacks. Our kids are in their teens now but still look forward to their gifts from Harry.

Hanukkah Harry certainly predates the 1980s. Part of my family lore includes a story of a family trip on the train from Chicago to Minneapolis over 'winter vacation' in the 1960s when I was about 7 or 8. A friendly man on the train apparently asked me what I was getting for Christmas from Santa Claus. I reportedly (and indignantly) replied that there was no Santa Claus in my house, but there was Hanukkah Harry! I have no idea where I got his name or the idea of him, but there it is.

LOL!!! I love this. We are a mixed family too, and we've always tried to celebrate both holidays every year first for our children, and now for our grandchildren. But I for sure think that Hanukkah Harry would add a very much needed measure of humor to this time of year!