Why Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Songs (all three
versions) are so important!
“When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas
tree
Here's a list of people who are Jewish just like you and
me.”
In 1994 comedian Adam Sandler appeared on Saturday Night
Live and unwittingly tapped into a nerve in the American Jewish
psyche. His song, that night, created by SNL writers was a
‘tongue-in-cheek’ response to all those Jewish kids (and the rest
of us) who found themselves a little “put out” and “left out”
during the Christmas season. We know it as “The
Chanukah Song” and it has been so successful that it has been
“updated” twice to reflect changing times.
The song lists popular and prominent show biz folks who ALSO
happen to be JEWISH! And why is the response to it always so
strong? My theory is that in coming to America, the generation
of Jews that came to America from abroad traded ‘becoming American’
for ‘being Jewish’ as if it was an ‘either/or’ choice.
Today, however, Americans freely celebrate their countries of origin
and their cultural identities. Young Jews are in the position
of wanting to recapture their origin and culture, if not their faith.
The Festival of Chanukah, as we teach and celebrate it in Reform
and Conservative Judaism, commemorates the victory of Judah and his
Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks, and the rededication of the Temple
in Jerusalem.
What we fail to emphasize in the U.S. is the OTHER important
victory; the victory over ASSIMILATION. The Greek way of life
was so attractive, that young Jews readily turned away from tradition
in pursuit of all the “perks” of Greek life. The REAL fight
was preserving Judaism in the face of a highly appealing culture.
Sandler’s Chanukah Song sings out to MODERN young Jews
hungry for Jewish Identity. When performed in concert it is
almost like a tribal chant that unifies and gives voice to a craving
in mainstream Jewish youth. Take a look at any of the versions
on YouTube and you’ll see a sea of undulating Jewish Youth dancing
and singing to his lyrics…. knowing and shouting out all the words!
I think the lesson we need to remember every Chanukah, is that
Judaism, and Jews have a lot to offer and a lot to be proud of.
It is so important to understand that Christmas celebrates one event
with its own story and traditions, and Chanukah has its own story and
traditions. Each holiday is unique, and each holiday belongs to
its’ own people. Let’s not diminish either tradition by
combining them. Let’s give each the honor it deserves.
“You don't need ‘Deck The Halls’ or ‘Jingle Bell
Rock’
'Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr.
Spock- both Jewish!
Shalom,
Rabbi Rose
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