Berlin's Happy Chrismukkah

The Washington Times ^ | 12-22-05 | Suzanne Fields

[JZelle]

BERLIN. -- A cold dampness hovers over the streets and the skies turn bleak and dark early in the afternoon. Nevertheless, 'tis the season to be jolly. More than 50 Christmas markets celebrate the season, and none is as unusual as the one here at 14 Lindenstrasse, behind the provocative new Jewish Museum, lighted by a huge Channukah Menorah and traditional Christmas decorations celebrating an exhibition entitled "Chrismukkah." Christians and Jews gather to share a warm glass of Gluhwein, the seasonal spicy red wine, to warm the hands and lift the spirit, and to nibble a potato latke or a stollen, the Christmas cake studded with dried fruit. The strains of "Maoz Zur," the most popular Channukah song with lyrics set to the melody of "Rock of Ages," soar over the gathering. The notes hark to a 15th-century German folk song incorporated into chorals of Christian faith by Martin Luther. Germans, like Americans, argue over the politically correct language of the season, but the Jewish Museum puts things into perspective, tracing the origins of the religious, cultural, commercial and political images associated with both Christmas and Channukah. A display of Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" album is displayed at the entrance, with a photograph of der Bingle, and the old crooner's distinctive voice wafts through the hallways as a reminder that "White Christmas" was written by Israel Isidore Baline, better known as Irving Berlin, who spoke Yiddish before he spoke English. Someone once asked him how a Jew could write the signature secular hymn of the Christian holiday, and he replied: "I wrote it as an American."

[JZelle]

MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY CHANNUKAH HAPPY NEW YEAR GOD BLESS YOU!

[marron]

I'm getting ready to knock off for the day.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah, to all my friends here at FR (both of you).