NEWS FEATURE
AS CHRISTMAS approaches, many Jews all over the US are eagerly anticipating Chinese food.
For decades, American Jews have flocked to Chinese restaurants over the festival — sometimes pairing the experience with a movie.
Its roots are easy to understand, the restaurants being among the few that stay open across the dying days of December, and it has embedded a tradition that inspires many a childhood memory.
“When we were kids in the suburbs, we’d all climb into the station wagon and my parents would drive us to look at everyone’s Christmas lights,” recalls Melissa Ackerman, an obstetrician.
“Some years, we’d have Chinese takeout. Others, we’d go to the restaurant.”
Jesse Cohen, a lawyer and comedian, says of the Chinese-Christmas combo: “100 per cent. It’s a tradition in my life.
“I do a standup bit about my mom being asked to speak to my elementary school about ‘Jewish Christmas’ and how she discussed Chinese takeout and Godfather marathons.”
These days, Chinese food is sought by American Jews far and wide.
“In Tuscaloosa [Alabama], the only restaurants open when I was a kid were Chinese,” says Adena Whitman, president of a credit union.
“So we’d load in the car and go eat Chinese for lunch and then go to the movies. I do it to this day.