Oy to the World!
Unconvinced by the limited stereotypes of the Chosen People, the New York Press got in touch with our some of our fave local Hebrews to find out what they think about Christmas and just what it is they do while others chug eggnog and wear silly hats.
Gideon Yago, Host, The IFC Media Project
I usually wake up and start drinking because I think its OK for Christians to be hammered at 11 a.m. Then I spend most of Christmas Day hanging out with my other Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Celestial or Satanist buddies playing video games. And then I go out for Chinese. Winsome anecdote: Last year I ended up getting seated at an enormous table at Joes Shanghai with N.Y. Senior Senator Chuck Schumer! Clichés are clichés for a reason!
Ed Koch, Former Mayor of New York City
For the last 40 years Ive gone every Christmas Eve to midnight Mass at the invites of Cardinals Cooke, OConnor and Egen.
Jackie Hoffman, Actress
Scraping the Bottom: Special Holiday Edition Dont you get hanged in this town if you say you loathe it? I have nothing against celebrating Jesus birthday, I just dont like getting it shoved down my throat for several weeks.
My sister is in town, so well probably hit one of the kosher meat restaurants in Manhattan. She lives in Virginia, so a kosher restaurant is a big deal.
Eugene Mirman, Comedian
I definitely go see a movie, [have] food. Ive also dated people who celebrate Christmas so Ive gone to Christmas with their familiesI dont want to start a religious war. This year Ill be spending Christmas with my girlfriends family.
Rabbi Burt Aaron Siegel, Rabbi, Founder, Shul of New York
Christmas Day is just a day off for me. I usually read and/or write on spiritual matters.
Amanda Stern, Host, The Happy Ending Reading Series
Every year I go to my moms house on MacDougal Street where I eagerly await my stocking and then open presents. And I watch them open presents from me and then tell them where I bought everything so they can return it on the 26th. And then, we will go see a movie and order Chinese food in an effort to erase any trails of Christianity we might have left behind.
Shalom Auslander, Author, Foreskins Lament: A Memoir
What an old cliché. We illegally download movies, and then we go out for Asian fusion. People have been after me to teach my son about religion, so this year, on the day before Christmas, Im going to go to Home Depot to buy lumber, rope and some lag bolts. Ill work in my garage all through the night, and then, on Christmas morning, after he wakes up, Ill take him downstairs, tie him to our new Christmas rack and compel him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Then, the Pear of Anguish.
DJ Nita Aviance, Nightlife Personality
I celebrate Christmas, believe it or not: Im a real life Pizza-Bagel, [so Ill be] visiting my grandparents, hopefully catching some snow, and relaxing before the insanity of New Years week begins.