A Jewish Christmas

I don't celebrate Christmas. The omnipresent merchandising, spending frenzy, caroling and crappy decorations like this blowup creche (with an inflatable Santa on his Harley gazing at the scene) drives me crazy.

Fortunately I have Jewish family members who are experts at avoiding Christmas overload. There is a long American tradition of Jews going out for Chinese food on Christmas.

The Bay Area is blessed with a perfect Christmas antidote: Kung Pao Kosher Comedy. This is an evening of comedy and Chinese food in San Francisco, started 19 years ago by comedian Lisa Geduldig.

It's a great excuse to go to San Francisco on the one evening when you can find easy street parking in Chinatown.

You can browse books at City Lights bookstore:

Examine unusual fruits and veggies at Chinatown markets, like this Durian:

Until it's time to eat the "Boca Raton style" Chinese food in a typical mid-century modern Chinese banquet room:

Last year we were at the Jackie Mason table. This year we were seated at the Farklempt table.

If you don't understand Yiddish or aren't a Saturday Night Live/Mike Myers fan, farklempt means to be excited or flustered or choked up.

The show was great, especially Elayne Boosler, who is a pioneer in female comedy, a writer, an animal activist and hysterical. I want to get one of her T-shirts that says "Too Fat to Fail". Check out her rap video, "Facebook is a Clocksucker":

 

I heartily recommend a night of Chinese food and laughter as a Christmas substitute.

 

 

 

Comments

[donna]

Cool.