We're Jews, yes, but the Christmas spirit has been very, very good to certain branches of my extended family, who have been able to turn a decent buck capitalizing on the seemingly insatiable appetite for Santa-related knicknacks, jimjams and assorted chozzerai.
God bless, sez I.
But when the same sort of chozzerai is aimed at the Jews, I just shake my head in dismay. It's fine to sell the stuff to make a living, but why on earth would you ever want to buy it?
Case in point: Latke Larry ($17.95 plus shipping and handling).
OK, so the toy has the voice of Jerry Stiller and proceeds go to benefit the Friendship Circle, an organization that pairs up special-needs kids - only from Jewish families, apparently - with teenage volunteers who serve as playmates-slash-role models. (FYI, the FC site notes that "each independent Friendship Circle is operated by its local Chabad Lubavitch Center, and all operations and programs are supported entirely by the local community of each Friendship Circle.")
Still, surely the exercise of tzedaka (charity) need not entail the purchase of a dancing, kvetching, pancake-peddling figurine.
If you want to buy, buy. If you want to give, just give.
posted by CWC
God bless, sez I.
But when the same sort of chozzerai is aimed at the Jews, I just shake my head in dismay. It's fine to sell the stuff to make a living, but why on earth would you ever want to buy it?
Case in point: Latke Larry ($17.95 plus shipping and handling).
OK, so the toy has the voice of Jerry Stiller and proceeds go to benefit the Friendship Circle, an organization that pairs up special-needs kids - only from Jewish families, apparently - with teenage volunteers who serve as playmates-slash-role models. (FYI, the FC site notes that "each independent Friendship Circle is operated by its local Chabad Lubavitch Center, and all operations and programs are supported entirely by the local community of each Friendship Circle.")
Still, surely the exercise of tzedaka (charity) need not entail the purchase of a dancing, kvetching, pancake-peddling figurine.
If you want to buy, buy. If you want to give, just give.
posted by CWC
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