Comments on: Have Yourself a Jewish Little Christmas

By: RonL

RonL — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:22:02 +0000

Can we get a list of good Hannukah songs?
Right now, all I can think of is the detestable Adam Sandler one, Matisyahu’s Miracle, some litergical ones. And the one that Tablet Magazine, Orrin Hatch and Madeline Stone did, Eight Days of Hanukkah.

By: Lynne T

Lynne T — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:11:59 +0000

Avrohom and Adina:

As it happens, Maoz Tzur (forgive my spelling), owes its origins to a 14th or 15th century German hymn.

By: JLH

JLH — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:12:38 +0000

While his name is pronounced Julie, it is really spelled Jule Styne aka Stein, his first name is Julius.

By: Adina

Adina — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:11:26 +0000

Avrohom Wachs,

Surprisingly, there is one. It’s not great, but it was written at the behest of Tablet Mgazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XND3Naa6N5o

You might also want to check out this Christmas song from Bethlehem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXERGzBZo0U

By: Avrohom Wachs

Avrohom Wachs — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 04:19:51 +0000

Will you be publishing a list of Chanuka songs written by non-Jews?

By: RParish

RParish — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:40:22 +0000

It shouldn’t be such a surprise that Jews wrote some of the catchiest and best xmas songs. Many of these tunes and others, like “We Need a Little Xmas,” came from musicals and movies. We have been found in great numbers as songwriters and lyricists. Johnny Marks made his living writing in the genr. To quote Gershwin, “Nice work if you can get it.”

By: Julie Minerbo

Julie Minerbo — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:06:51 +0000

Very interesting! My Dad passed on this link to me and I was very surprised that Jews wrote so many of the Christmas songs! As a Jew, now I don’t feel as guilty about enjoying singing them and celebrating the holiday season. Happy Holidays! Julie

By: Plutogirl

Plutogirl — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 06:57:22 +0000

The tree is not a religious symbol. It is a pagan symbol used at the Winter Solstice for thousands of years. Evergreens represent the continuation of life through the winter. The cheer also originates with the intense joy felt at the return of the Sun at the Solstice.

By: jimmy37

jimmy37 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:10:37 +0000

Your article makes the same annoying mistake that bothers the hell out of me. There are Christmas songs and winter/season songs. Winter songs celebrate winter – the cold, the snow, the activities. Christmas songs celebrate Christmas – the tree, the cheer, Jesus, manger, Magi, etc.

Just because winter songs are played during the Christmas season doesn’t make them Christmas songs. Songs like “Jingle Bells” get labeled a Christmas song because of the crossover to the activities of Santa Claus. “Jingle Bells” has nothing to do with Christmas or Santa Claus. Just read the lyrics of “Let It Snow”, “Sleigh Ride”, “Winter Wonderland”, etc. Not a Christmas in sight.