The Southern Jewish Weekly

"You bet," said Cousin Joe, taking some more puffs at his pipe.

"Cousin Joe don't know anything about the latke eating regimen," said Rosy.

"You bet," said Cousin Joe.

"Sometimes, when I think of it," said Mr. Savsky. "I feel sorry for those who are not Jews. Just think, never to have eaten latkes. Do you call that living? But do you know what, Joe, I think even those who are not Jews are beginning to celebrate Chanukah. I peeped through the window of the McGreggors, Joe, last night, and you know what? I saw Chanukah candles there."

"Oh, papa, those are not Chanukah candles," interrupted Rosy. "Those are Christmas candles. What's the matter with you, papa!"

"Listen, Rosy, I was not born yesterday. Chanukah started 200 years before Christianity, so who copied whom? And they give presents, too, like the Jews in the old country gave Chanukah gelt and you watch my word, it won't be long before they are eating latkes, too."

"You know, Papa," said Rosy, "I told you it's not only the Jews. Bond Chanukah Festival at Madison Square Garden last year."

"You see," said Mr. Savsky, "I told you it's not only the Jews who are beginning to celebrate Chanukah. There are many great non-Jewish figures at the festival and of course many great Jewish figures also, and every year, tens of thousands of people crowd Madison Square Garden on this occasion. When they light the Menorah there and a great singer like Jan Peerce sings the Moaz Tsur of Chanukah. I tell you it's something to see. And hear also."

"But Papa," said Rosy, "you haven't told Joe anything about the great fight of the Maccabeans which preserved Judaism and did so much for the general civilization of the world, which is at the bottom of the Chanukah holiday."

"Yes, Joe, Rosy is right. Chanukah marks the preservation of Judaism and civilization, do you understand, Joe?"