Hanukkah Hits the Radio

Matana Abramson
KOACH Intern
Rutgers University

When I look back at my childhood, I remember the radio being filled with Christmas songs during the holiday season. As often as I switched the stations, nothing short of turning the radio off would stop the holiday music mix. I most certainly had nothing against this music being played on the radio, but I felt that before I hadn’t even swallowed that last bite of the Thanksgiving turkey, the Christmas songs were already starting.

A few years ago, all of that changed when Adam Sandler debuted his song celebrating the Festival of Lights. Now it seems that every year a new song is out, with even wittier lyrics than the last version. Being such a popular actor, Sandler’s music attracted a lot of attention.

Before I knew it, I could not escape from the "Hanukkah Song," nor did I want to. Every time I heard any of the versions on the radio, I did not change the station. I enjoyed listening to them each and every time they came on. While his songs had no foundation in in-depth Jewish topics, I saw Sandler’s music as putting Hanukkah on the map. I was not the only one who heard his music on the radio, everybody did. It truly warmed my heart knowing that so many other people across this country were listening to these songs about Hanukkah as well, Jews and non-Jews.

So while he may have a monopoly on the Hanukkah music on the radio, and his lyrics may not be satisfying to all, Adam Sandler has put a smile on my face in the midst of the holiday madness.

[Posted 12/9/04]