Have Yourself an Unorthodox Little Christmas
This week on Unorthodox, how Chinese food and movies became a Jewish Yuletide classic, the Jews behind your favorite Christmas songs, and why Soviet Jews have ‘Christmas’ trees
This week we’re celebrating Christmas the only way we know how: Chinese food and a movie. Plus a bunch of amazing guests!
We’re joined by Marc Tracy, a former Tablet staffer who now covers sports for The New York Times. He tells us about two of his most memorable Tablet articles—about the tradition of Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas and the Jewish songwriters behind some of the most well-known Christmas songs. Jessica Grose, the editor of Lenny, an email newsletter from Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, tells us why it’s OK for Jews to have a Christmas tree. Film critic Jordan Hoffman shares his favorite Christmas movies—and one classic he’s not so into. Librarian Rachel Kamin talks about a No Good Very Bad children’s Hanukkah book (and recommends a few good ones), writer and activist Robin Rice tells us about her latest project, Your Holiday Mom, and Natasha Zaretsky explains why Soviet Jews have New Years trees.
Wishing you and your loved ones, pets, and frenemies a wonderful, meaningful, and delicious Hanukkah, and a merry Jewish Christmas!
We love hearing from you. Email us at [email protected] with comments or questions, or just to say hi. We may share your note on air.
Unorthodox is a smart, fresh, fun weekly take on Jewish news and culture hosted by Mark Oppenheimer, Stephanie Butnick, and Liel Leibovitz. You can listen to individual episodes here or subscribe on iTunes.
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