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There aren’t many people left on my Christmas card list. it becomes shortened with each passing year, but for more than 50 years, we have received a card from someone I never met whose name is Ben Goldberg.
My husband retired 17 years ago and Ben is a man he worked with. Ben is not a Christian, but he sends a lovely card— no personal message, just signs his full name and that’s it. Somehow as strange as it might seem, Ben’s greeting adds a special meaning to our Christmas.
Meanwhile, I hope that some of you have watched the PBS special, I’m dreaming of a Jewish Christmas. -A documentary about Jewish songwriters and their connection to Christmas music, including Irving Berlin and Mel Tormé. I love how they rearranged a few traditional Christmas carols like Deck the Halls, in “Hora” Tempo…lively Jewish wedding dance music. Very clever.
If you have an on-demand feature with your cable subscription, you may be able to pull it up or it will probably air again before Christmas. Mazel tov! and Merry Christmas.
Marjorie, thank you for the head’s up on Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas. My local PBS station is re-running it Christmas night, which this year is also the first night of Hannukah, and thanks to your alert I will be able to see it.
youre welcome Mike. I know you also have Chinese relatives. It will be of interest to them as well. Much of the documentary takes place in a Chinese restaurant. Enjoy your holiday.
I just found out that Ben Goldberg is now 91 years old.
Marjorie, thanks for sharing this. I am not sure if it is on our PBS station. If not, I will check the Kanopy link. Chris.
The link works. Enjoy, Chris.
Available for library-style streaming via Kanopy, 2 tickets for 72 hour access. Note: The full title is “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas: Jewish Songwriters Composing Christmas Music.”
link to Kanopy listing
Great link.
Thank you, IPF…I’m going to enjoy it once again. Love the music.
If you are in the Philadelphia area, this show is scheduled to be on PBS at 6 pm. this evening, Sunday, December 22, Comcast channel 1039.
It’s also on NJ PBS at 11 PM tonight.
Thanks Rick..looks like the show is getting lots of exposure. While the religious significance of Christmas is primary to Christians, the documentary highlights the universal appeal of glad tidings and peace to men of goodwill.
My Christmas card list (both paper and electronic) was shrinking, but now I’ve moved to a CCRC it’s grown again.
So happy for you, Kathy. I hope you’ll continue to tell us more about CCRC living. Happy Holidays.
Thank you! Happy holidays, and a happy and healthy New Year to you.
Marjorie, thanks for the suggestion. It sounds like a great show. My parents loved Mel Torme, and the music of that era. We are lucky to have a Jewish sister-in-law, and some Jewish friends. We’ve celebrated Chanukah with them in various years. My sister-in-law’s late step-father escaped Poland as a child during WWII. Listening to him say the prayers and light the Menorah was a very special experience. Mazel tov!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Rick.
Although I’m Irish with some English/Scottish heritage, I grew up in New York and learned to appreciate the Jewish culture.
i guess I could qualify as part of your parents generation. Mel Torme’ wrote the music for The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) and I love Nat King Cole’s recording of it.
Nobody ever sang it like Nat.
Agreed Mike, what made it sound so lush and lovely were the multiple orchestras who played on the recording. I could hear the influence of Nelson Riddle whose arrangements complimented so many of Nat’s recordings.