Hypersensitivity...

[Strangler Lewis]

I spent part of my afternoon lending de facto backup to the first and third grade Brownie troops who went caroling at the bin. During rehearsal at school, as the kids faded on Silent Night I implored them to speak up so that the Jewish guy wasn't the only voice heard on this gas.

Frankly, to get through Silent Night in a quasi-public forum, I do have to tell myself that I'm an actor playing a part. On the other hand, it is a beautiful song as many of the spiritual carols are. If I had to shyt can a song from the kids' repertoire, it would definitely be Holly Jolly Christmas. It's just bouncy piffle that's unsingable, especially for kids.

We then went back to school for a party and a laborious Secret Santa exchange. This would have been less torturous if I did not have to get home to start grating potatoes. Nobody seemed to know that it was the first night of Chanukah. I'm not especially put out by that, but I have gotten more than my share of "Oh, I have a friend who's Jewish" comments lately.