Merry Christmas? Happy Hanukkah? Happy Challah days?
There’s no need for an identity crisis this year for those who celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, both of which fortunately coincide in December. 25.
New Yorkers, who usually harbor serious Christmas “envy,” are plotting over the cultural conundrum they’ve dubbed “Chrismukkah,” a Judeo-Christian mash-up for centuries.
Comedian Max Cohen, who goes by the handle MurrayHillBoy, is so moved by the culture clash that he staged a parody of Dr. Seuss’ Christmas classic, reimagining the holiday tale as “How the Grinch Stole Hanukkah.”
His goal is to “create a moment of Jewish joy” this Chrismukkah that “is not offensive,” or contains references to the Middle East.
“It gets funny with the fact that the holidays overlap this year,” Cohen, 24, told The Post of his poignant parody.
“What’s going on here? No Christmas tree in sight! Maybe I came on the wrong night,” the wacky Grinch opens the video. “Well, you see Mr. Grinch, it’s been a tough year to be Jewish. Do you have to spoil Hanukkah too?” asks an innocent child.
To which the Grinch replies, “You know, people shouldn’t believe everything they read in the news, ‘I like you a lot people,'” the Grinch told the Jews.
Cohen said he’s grateful for Chrismukkah, if only to alleviate “that Christmas jealousy we face as Jews every year.”
The idea of dual – and dueling – decoration is also more prominent this year.
NYC balloon artist Megan Kerrigan’s new “Krismukkah Tree” has been a hit this year with interfaith customers, with the $84 blue and white balloon tower evoking traditional Hanukkah colors arranged in a tree shape.
“It wouldn’t have been as popular if it didn’t overlap this year,” said Marine Park-based Kerrigan, who hosts her own Chrismukkah at her Catholic home. “We celebrate Hanukkah in this house – we love the food, especially the latkes. My 9-year-old daughter calls them Hanukkah hashbrowns.”
A Chrismukkah Tree customer, Betty Sobolow, complained that her two young children, ages 3 and 4, will experience overstimulation this December. 25 in her interfaith home.
“It will be a gift overload. These kids are so lucky,” said the 38-year-old teacher and baker from Sheepshead Bay. “It’s super exciting for them to have vacations one after the other.”
Still, it’s “hard to compete with Christmas as someone who’s Jewish,” she added. “The Hanukkah story is a miracle, of course, but everyone knows what Christmas is.”
Since the Jewish calendar does not have a fixed date like the Gregorian calendar, the first night of Hanukkah falling on Christmas Day is something of a misnomer.
The two holidays have only overlapped four times since 1910. The last time was almost two decades ago, in 2005, and the next time will be 2035.
Those doing double duty this Krismukkah come from unlikely places.
After pulling presents all night, Santa Rick Rosenthal must rush back to his North Pole apartment to light Hanukkah candles with Mrs. Claus.
Rosenthal, 72, who lives in Atlanta, is a professional Orthodox Jewish Santa who said it’s a “mitzvah” to bring joy to wide-eyed children.
But while for a long time Kris Kringle believes that Christmas is “wonderful,” he never forgets his faith.
“There’s something really grand about candlelight,” Rosenthal told The Post. “When you’re lighting the menorah, it’s a magical time for a Jew. Everything calms down and focuses. Unity is magnificent.”
Unity is what Chrismukkah should be all about this year, say celebrants.
“We have the miracle of Christmas and the miracle of Hanukkah — it’s a time when this country needs a miracle,” said former Manhattan Mini Storage ad guru Archie Gottesman, who now runs JewBelong, the cheeky pink pro-Jewish banners have gathered controversy. . “It’s time to be allies with each other. I see this as a miracle presented as an opportunity.”
The insightful wordsmith added: “What if this is the moment for real healing and togetherness to begin? That we all care about each other, even if we believe different things? I think it can be so powerful.”
New York families are “excited” for the festival of lights… and more lights this year.
Long Island-based Renee Dilorio decorated her interfaith home inside and out — with decorations that reflect both faiths.
“The neighbors love it,” said the married mother of one, who also went all out this year with a six-foot tree adorned with Jewish elements.
“The top of the tree is a disco ball with Mickey Hanukkah ears,” she said proudly of her 18-year-old daughter’s vision.
“It’s the best,” exclaimed Hell’s Kitchen resident Kara Silverman, who is Jewish, as she anxiously awaits a traditional Christmas dinner this year with her Christian husband and 20-month-old daughter, Summer.
On the menu? Brisket and latkes along with deviled eggs, bacon and lamb.
“It’s the ultimate mashup,” she said, adding that a few rounds of the dreidel game will round out the evening. “It’s a combined prayer situation.”
In addition to her equal decorating this year, she wants to impress upon her youngsters that the holidays aren’t “face-to-face,” said the founder of Various & Co, a public relations firm.
The mother added: “We want her to experience the beauty and traditions on both sides.”
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Image Source : nypost.com