Christmas carols are beautiful because the good ones were written by Jews, such as Silent Night, Come All Ye Faithful, etc. Most Jews are secretly pleased that many of the beautiful Christmas carols were composed by one of our tribal brethren. My favorite is White Christmas, written by Irving Berlin (born Isaac Bailen). “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” and “I’ll be home for Christmas” were also written by Jews. It’s a bit upsetting that Jews like Barbra Streisand and Christmas songs at concerts and TV specials, but not one Christian reciprocates with a Chanukah album. How come Nat King Cole never sang “Latkes frying in a frying pan?” Where is Dolly Parton’s “I’m Bringing Jelly Donuts Home for Chanukah?”

There aren’t many good Hanukkah songs. Why didn’t those Jewish songwriters write for their own people? Most Chanukkah songs are BO-ring!. They are about dreidels made from clay or having a party and dancing the hora. There are only two good ones. Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song tells us which celebrities are Jews, “When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree. Here’s a list of Jewish people, just like you and me. And my all-time favorite is by Tom Lehrer, “I’m spending Chanukkah in Santa Monica. Wearing sandals, Lighting candles by the sea.”

[Jeff usually cheers everyone up around the holidays, High or otherwise. Hope you enjoy this. — Ed]