OUR JEWISH SECRET SANTA — For the last several years Elinor Friedman has been a generous donor for a Christmas party given every year at St. Mary’s Hot Lunch Kitchen, the very same place the volunteers at Congregation Beth Shalom have supported through its Lechem Project. In the past the party was organized by a Kansas City, Kan., police officer who also worked at St. Mary’s. The police officer passed away this year, but his widow is continuing the project in conjunction with the kitchen personnel. A little elf told The Chronicle that this year Elinor has taken on an expanded role, by not only making another generous donation herself but by also enlisting some of her family and friends to contribute new toys, games and clothing. She arranged for so many donations, it filled the entire trunk of one volunteer’s car. Now, thanks in large part to Elinor and the other donors, these children will have a truly wonderful holiday.
RADIO HANUKKAH — It’s been a week for loyal readers to send me tips. This tip tell us that SirriusXM radio has Radio Hanukkah on channel 69 or online channel 761. The station plays Chanukah songs and Jewish music. This reader’s favorite song from last year was “(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica,” by Tom Lehrer. The opening lyrics, according to Jewocity.com are:
“I’m spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica,
Wearing sandals lighting candles by the sea.
I spent Shavuos, in East St. Louis,
A charming spot but clearly not the spot for me.”
The special radio station will be on the air through Dec. 17, at which time it will revert back to regular programming.
CHANUKAH WITH BIBI — The Chronicle’s Jerusalem reporter Sybil Kaplan joined other foreign journalists in Israel for a Chanukah celebration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the third night of the Festival of Lights. The prime minster told the journalists, “Chanukah is where a few had to face the many. Today one has to face the many.” He told the group that since he’s been in office, Israel has “raised awareness in the international community about the dangers posed by a nuclear Iran.” He also said the recent U.N. resolution upgrading the status of Palestine last month ignored Israel’s security needs, and pointed out that when the leader of Hamas called for the destruction of Israel this past week, “there was silence, a deafening silence,” amongst members of the U.N. community. But the prime minister said Israel will not remain silent. “Israel will speak in defense of our rights and what is right.”
