Radio Hannukah!

[Bostonian]

I saw this article yesterday, and having XM I knew about for the last few weeks. Anyway, those of us who are Jewish and sick of hearing the x-mas music, we finally have an alternative! Here is the AP article, and for more info on it check out http://www.xmradio.com/hanukkah/

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All-Hannukah, all the time
MATT SEDENSKY The Associated Press
Article Last Updated:12/11/2006 01:18:50 PM EST

MIAMI -- Every year it's the same -- the relentless refrains of "Santa Baby" and "Silver Bells," those saccharine lyrics that seem to fill every radio frequency, not to mention the airwaves in stores and restaurants and offices. By the time Christmas is over, Terri Lynn says she feels saturated.

This year, the 50-year-old Jewish woman from Fort Lauderdale has an escape: She can tune her XM Satellite Radio to XM108 for Radio Hanukkah.

Though the potential audience is likely rather small, XM's Hanukkah-themed station is being touted as the first radio station of its kind and one celebrated by the satellite network's Jewish clientele, who've long known December's airwaves to be filled only with the holly-jolly, bell-clinging sounds of Christmas.

"It's 24 hours of Hanukkah! I'll be dancing the horah," said Lynn, a publicist whose clients include the Salvation Army, the Jewish Federation of Broward County and Habitat for Humanity. "This could be refreshing. Who knows? Maybe non-Jews will start loving these songs too."

XM108 will run for the eight nights of the Festival of Lights, beginning Friday, not only with Hanukkah songs including "I Have a Little Dreidel," but also candlelight blessings and Jewish-themed specials with celebrities ranging from comedian Al Franken to sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer to the rock band Barenaked Ladies.

There is no similar effort on terrestrial radio; XM competitor Sirius Satellite Radio is offering the thoughts of Hasidic Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu scattered in programming on its Reggae Rhythms network during the eight nights of Hanukkah.

As word spreads of the XM effort, it is generating some excitement.

Leigh Fisher Savar, a 33-year-old financial planner in New York, said she plans to check out the station; most Decembers she finds herself turning the radio off when the hum of holiday songs becomes too much.

"Having to listen to Christmas music for a month straight does become kind of monotonous," she said.

Ed Shems, a 36-year-old illustrator and designer in Brookline, Mass., said he's grown accustomed to the seasonal barrage of holiday tunes.

"My wife and I usually just look at each other and roll our eyes," he said.

Regardless of the appeal to listeners, the Hanukkah radio efforts are little match for the airwaves' Christmas programming, which shows signs of gaining even more popularity this year.

XM is hoping its Hanukkah programming, which joins a network with five Christmas stations, will also fuel membership. It's marketing the station through synagogues, Jewish organizations, rabbinical groups and the like, offering free access to XM during the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Washington-based XM says Radio Hanukkah is the brainchild of chief executive Hugh Panero and it's being produced by Allen Goldberg, who says the channel's introduction gives him "great satisfaction" after a lifetime of only Christmas music on the radio.

Says Goldberg: "It's about time."

[FORD]

Yeah, I heard the advertisement for Radio Hanukkah this morning. Might check that out, even though I'm not Jewish. It's gotta beat the usual Christmas drivel. Though "Special Xmas 107" plays some great stuff. That's the only one of the "Christmas" channels I bother with.

I'm avoiding the whole damn holiday for the most part this year anyway.

[Bostonian]

Yeah, I heard the advertisement for Radio Hanukkah this morning. Might check that out, even though I'm not Jewish. It's gotta beat the usual Christmas drivel. Though "Special Xmas 107" plays some great stuff. That's the only one of the "Christmas" channels I bother with.

I'm avoiding the whole damn holiday for the most part this year anyway.

Yeah I conceed, that I do get a chuckle out of Special Xmas... I heard one song about santa getting stoned or something. the whole holiday thing just iritates me in general though. People should get back to the basics and not try to market it and force feed it to the masses.

Speaking of XM, have you checked out Eddie Trunk's new show on the bone yard? He had a great interview last night with the guy writing the biography on Randy Rhodes. Also he mentioned something about VH last week and how he is friends with both EVH and MA and it sucks to see a Mike-less VH.

[Bostonian]

An update on the radio Hanukkah.... If you want to sign up for it click here and use this promo code: "The Chosen". I encourage everyone who is Jewish (those who aren't too!) to sit back and enjoy the programming. Certainly an XM exclusive seeing Sirius doesn't have an All Chanukah channel

From XM's Website:

Radio Hanukkah - XM 108, is XM's first-ever channel dedicated exclusively to Jewish culture. Airing for the duration of the Festival of Lights from December 15 to December 23, Radio Hanukkah features the best in Jewish music, comedy, Broadway, talk and kids programming.

Join us for the Hanukkah blessings recited by a different prominent Jewish American musician, entertainer or politician each night.

We have a Hanukkah gift just for you. Get the eight days of Radio Hanukkah and 80 other XM channels for free online. Enjoy your free demo of XM Radio Online from Friday, December 15 (programming starts at 5 pm Eastern) until December 23.

Starting Friday December 15, click here to access XM Radio Online. Register by giving your name and email address (no credit card necessary), and then enter the special Radio Hanukkah promo code that you've read about in the newspaper or received in an email.

Sign-up for your trial here

The normal free trial of XM Radio Online lasts only 3 days, but miraculously we have been able to extend it to cover all eight days of Radio Hanukkah.

Here's a hint for those who've forgotten the special promo code. It is the title of a famous Chaim Potok book about two friends Danny and Reuven. Take the two-word title of the book and enter it as one word as the special Radio Hanukkah promo code.

To keep track of all of Radio Hanukkah's programming, download this hour-by-hour schedule and the program descriptions.

Download Schedule PDF
Download Show Description PDF

We want to know what you think. If you have any comments, please send them to RadioHanukkah@xmradio.com. If you don't like what you hear, we have an email for that too. Send any complaints to Kvetch@xmradio.com.
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[FORD]

And for those of you without XM, there's always YouTube.....

[FORD]

And for those of you without XM, there's always YouTube.....

Not sure what the fuck happened there. Let's try that again....

[Pabs]

I'm offended by all this anti-Christ talk.

[FORD]

Christ was a Jew too.

[Pabs]

You're missing the point. If the shoe were on the other foot, the people in the story would be considered anti-semitec.

People can disrepect the Christians all day long, and that's ok. Kind of like being white. You can get picked on all day, but as soon as you dish it back (see Richards, Michael), then you're "out of line" or making comments that are "uncalled for." I guess that goes with being the majority. It doesn't make it right though.

[Bostonian]

You're missing the point. If the shoe were on the other foot, the people in the story would be considered anti-semitec.

People can disrepect the Christians all day long, and that's ok. Kind of like being white. You can get picked on all day, but as soon as you dish it back (see Richards, Michael), then you're "out of line" or making comments that are "uncalled for." I guess that goes with being the majority. It doesn't make it right though.

Come on Pabs you have to be kidding me right?

My issue with Christianity isn't the faith itself, that is your faith. My issue is with the means it is spread around, and how it is incompatible with Judaism. As for x-mas, I personally take offense to all those people out there that feel that everyone celebrates x-mas. There are millions around the world who do not. To compare what Kramer said to what this is about is like apples and oranges. It is a little different to cry out "n.. n.. n.." then say listen to radio Hanukkah, or to wish a Jewish person Merry X-Mas.

Kramer's rant was directed to people of a certain ethnicity/race and meant to be offensive. Your rant so to speak is more about trying to assert your own faith without trying to offend others. I don't hear you calling me a Christ Killer, kike, or dirty jew...

Also Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish linkers!

[Pabs]

You're another one who can't see the point.

What I'm saying is that whites (Richards was called a "white-boy" before calling those blacks "******s") are an unprotected race. Can you come up with one example where affirmative action favorited the white guy? Why can't we call them caucasian americans? Why is an African American always associated with blacks? Aren't south africans white majority? So aren't those from South Africa, African Americans too? Should blacks not born in Africa be considered African Americans, or just Americans? Why should we highlight there differences by labeling them. Funny, we're trying not to offend, by highlighting the fact that they are different in the process.

The SAME thing applies to Christians and their lack of protection/sensitivity whatever. When was the last time anyone boohooed for the Christians? It's always, boohoo for the Jews. Boohoo for the Muslems. Boohoo for the Buddhists, etc. There was this big campaign to ban Christmas from shopping ads and all that in 2005. Why is that ok, but if we disregard any other religion, that's not ok right?

Passion of the Christ...bitch bitch bitch from guys like you.

Schindler's List.....no bitching at all, only praise.

It needs to be a two-way street, even from guys like you. My beef is with this article, not with you directly...nor am I comparing this article with Michael Richards. I'm just saying that when hear of people "rolling their eyes" when a Christmas song hits the airwaves, then I get upset. If I were to get up and say, "All these Jewish songs on the radio are getting out of hand, we need to cut it down or make a new station because I won't listen." I'd have all kinds of people at my door calling me an anti-semite. Instead of rolling your eyes, change the damn channel and shut up. How's that? Why make an issue out of it? If you want a Jewish channel, then have one. But why do it because you're tired of the Christian stuff? Why does that have to be your reason?

[G3fan]

Come on Pabs you have to be kidding me right?

My issue with Christianity isn't the faith itself, that is your faith. My issue is with the means it is spread around, and how it is incompatible with Judaism. As for x-mas, I personally take offense to all those people out there that feel that everyone celebrates x-mas. There are millions around the world who do not. To compare what Kramer said to what this is about is like apples and oranges. It is a little different to cry out "n.. n.. n.." then say listen to radio Hanukkah, or to wish a Jewish person Merry X-Mas.

Kramer's rant was directed to people of a certain ethnicity/race and meant to be offensive. Your rant so to speak is more about trying to assert your own faith without trying to offend others. I don't hear you calling me a Christ Killer, kike, or dirty jew...

Also Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish linkers!

You might be Jewish, but you could at least call it Christmas, not Xmas. That's extremely disrepectful. Just ask Mel Gibson what it's like to SUPPOSEDLY say bad things about Jews. Why are you allowed to mis-name our religion? And FORD, we all know Jesus was a Jew. But read a little! He came to CANCEL many Jewish things. And Christianity didn't exist until the cross. So FORD, your comment about Him being Jewish was irrelivant. We already knew that.

[Bob_R]

I'm offended by all this anti-Christ talk.

You're missing the point. If the shoe were on the other foot, the people in the story would be considered anti-semitec.

People can disrepect the Christians all day long, and that's ok. Kind of like being white. You can get picked on all day, but as soon as you dish it back (see Richards, Michael), then you're "out of line" or making comments that are "uncalled for." I guess that goes with being the majority. It doesn't make it right though.

Excellent Pabs. You took the words right off of my fingertips.

[Bostonian]

You might be Jewish, but you could at least call it Christmas, not Xmas. That's extremely disrepectful. Just ask Mel Gibson what it's like to SUPPOSEDLY say bad things about Jews. Why are you allowed to mis-name our religion? And FORD, we all know Jesus was a Jew. But read a little! He came to CANCEL many Jewish things. And Christianity didn't exist until the cross. So FORD, your comment about Him being Jewish was irrelivant. We already knew that.

well I choose not to call it that and should have wrote x-ianity since according to Jewish law it is forbidden to refer to Jesus as the "christ" seeing that in Judaism does not recognize nor acknowledge it. The fact you said that "Jesus came to cancel many jewish things" could also be viewed as extremely disrespectful to Jewish individuals as myself. And he didn't supposedly say bad things about Jewish people, he did... It is in the police reports.

Going back to the radio hanukkah, it is such a nice alternative at least for myself since I feel that inundated with the music from this time of year.

[Bostonian]

You're another one who can't see the point.

What I'm saying is that whites (Richards was called a "white-boy" before calling those blacks "******s") are an unprotected race. Can you come up with one example where affirmative action favorited the white guy? Why can't we call them caucasian americans? Why is an African American always associated with blacks? Aren't south africans white majority? So aren't those from South Africa, African Americans too? Should blacks not born in Africa be considered African Americans, or just Americans? Why should we highlight there differences by labeling them. Funny, we're trying not to offend, by highlighting the fact that they are different in the process.

If you're white from south africa, you can and should list yourself as an african america. I see nothing wrong with that. I feel there needs to be a better definition of race personally.

The SAME thing applies to Christians and their lack of protection/sensitivity whatever. When was the last time anyone boohooed for the Christians? It's always, boohoo for the Jews. Boohoo for the Muslems. Boohoo for the Buddhists, etc. There was this big campaign to ban Christmas from shopping ads and all that in 2005. Why is that ok, but if we disregard any other religion, that's not ok right?

The difference is that there are hundreds of holiday stations... and there is one hanukkah station. A little different. When was the last time someone boohoo for those who follow Jesus as a faith? Just search the news, and etc. There is plenty...

Passion of the Christ...bitch bitch bitch from guys like you.

This movie incites antisemitism... I seen it, and its representations of the sanhedrin (what traditional jews are descended from today) were nasty...

Schindler's List.....no bitching at all, only praise.

Two different movies, two different directors...

It needs to be a two-way street, even from guys like you. My beef is with this article, not with you directly...nor am I comparing this article with Michael Richards. I'm just saying that when hear of people "rolling their eyes" when a Christmas song hits the airwaves, then I get upset. If I were to get up and say, "All these Jewish songs on the radio are getting out of hand, we need to cut it down or make a new station because I won't listen." I'd have all kinds of people at my door calling me an anti-semite. Instead of rolling your eyes, change the damn channel and shut up. How's that? Why make an issue out of it? If you want a Jewish channel, then have one. But why do it because you're tired of the Christian stuff? Why does that have to be your reason?

Of course there needs to be a two-way street, however as americans we must protect those who are the minority also. As for myself, who doesn't not worship this holiday, every time I hear a song like jingle bells, oh holy night, and etc, I roll my eyes. I am tired of it myself, and to hear it begin by halloween and go all the way through to new years gets tiresome. Think of it being a Red Sox Fan in Yankee Nation... I may be stuck in NY at times and there are very few sox fans there, but when I find a boston "bar" or whatever it feels like I am home. That is how I feel listening to this station...