Yiddish Yuletide

museums/exhibits

The search for an alternative Christmas destination ends at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Who are these people left unfulfilled by the traditional Chinese food and a movie? Apparently, for the past 20 years, some 1,000 of them have been showing up on the appointed day for the museum's annual "Being Jewish at Christmas" celebration. "This is a way for Jewish people to be with members of their community, to be able to do something while everyone else is celebrating Christmas," says program manager Jay Nachman. Next to eating lo mein, it's the Philadelphia Jew's most popular yuletide activity. And this year, you can do both: To avoid conflict with the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday, the event will be held on Sunday, one day after Christmas. Performers will include the Sally Mitlas Orchestra (expect some old Yiddish songs), magician-juggler Mark Spencer Goldstein (pictured) and, new this year, Nashirah: The Jewish Chorale of Greater Philadelphia. Between acts, make sure to capitalize on free access to the museum's gallery. Guides will be on hand throughout the day to talk about its current exhibition, "Sting Like a Maccabee: The Golden Age of the American Jewish Boxer." Leave the eggnog at the door -- refreshments will be served.

Being Jewish at Christmas, Sun., Dec. 26, noon-4 p.m., $4, National Museum of American Jewish History, Independence Mall East, 55 N. Fifth St., 215-923-3811.

—Tami Fertig

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