For years, Chinese food and a movie was standard operating procedure for Jews on Christmas. In recent years, comedy has been added to the mix.
But the Bay Area is actually packed full of activities catering to Jews over the Christmas holiday. Here’s a rundown of what’s out there on Dec. 24 and 25:
The JCC circuit
In Palo Alto, standup comedy veteran Mark Schiff, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman,” will perform in the Oshman Family JCC’s annual “Chopshticks” show on Christmas Eve. Admission includes “tasty treats.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, $50 for members, $55 for non-members, $60 at door if available, www.paloaltojcc.org.
Got young kids? On Christmas morning, stop by the Peninsula JCC in Foster City for its “Wild West Character Breakfast.” Kids are invited to put on their best Western garb and enjoy a breakfast of silver dollar pancakes. There will be carnival games and a musical guest. Registration required. 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25, $12 for children, $16 for adults, $4 more for non-members, under-2 free, www.tinyurl.com/pjcc-wild-west.
The JCC of San Francisco will be hosting Alison Faith Levy’s Big Time Tot children’s rock band, which will feature a special holiday lineup of musicians. Games and crafts from 10-11 a.m., concert 11 a.m.-noon, snacks to follow, Dec. 25, free, www.jccsf.org.
If Christmas with Chinese food and comedy is what you’re looking for, the Addison-Penzak JCC has got you covered. The JCC’s “Chow Mein and Chuckles” show in Los Gatos features the local “ComedySportz” group that pits two teams of “act-letes” competing for laughs and points. Chinese food will be served for dinner. 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show, Dec. 25, $15 for members, $20 for non-members, $5 extra for dinner, family discounts available, www.svjcc.org.
All of the Bay Area JCCs with fitness centers are open for limited hours on Christmas Day. Please check with your local facility for details.
For young adults
If you’re a member of the hip crowd, you can party the night away at the 2013 Latke Ball. The Christmas Eve party at San Francisco’s Ruby Skye features two dance floors, two DJs, a full bar and plenty of young Jews having a fun time. Sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 24, $30 regular, $40 VIP, www.jewishfed.org/event.
Keep the party going the next night with local travel writer and blogger Stuart Schuffman (better known as “Broke-Ass Stuart”) as he hosts the Mission’s annual “It’s a Jewish Christmas, San Francisco!” party at the Make-Out Room, featuring cocktails, strip dreidel and a Chinese food buffet. 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 25, $5-$10, www.makeoutroom.com.
Around the bay
Congregation Beth Shalom in Napa is having its annual fundraising event on Christmas Eve, with dinner at Wah Sing Chinese Restaurant followed by a movie at a local theater. 5 p.m. Dec. 24, $65 includes dinner, movie and dessert, www.cbsnapa.org.
For the 21st straight year, “Kung Pao Kosher Comedy” will be serving up punch lines and “kosher” (ha, ha) walnut prawns at an S.F. Chinatown restaurant. $64 dinner shows at 6 p.m., $44 shows at 9:30 p.m. with veggie dim sum, Dec. 24, 25, 26, www.koshercomedy.com.
Afikomen Judaica in Berkeley will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas and will be hosting a “Not-Our-Holiday” concert at 2 p.m. with Cantor Linda Hirschhorn and singer-songwriter Rabbi Jack Gabriel. There will also be a scavenger hunt for kids, and popcorn for everyone. 11 a.m. Dec. 25, free, www.afikomen.com.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco will be open on Christmas and is free for all. Check out the exhibit “Frog and Toad and the World of Arnold Lobel.” There will be “Frog and Toad” art-making, and the musical duo the Pop Ups will perform at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (tickets are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 25, free, www.thecjm.org.
Since the museum will be open on Christmas, so too will the CJM location of Wise Sons Deli, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The original 24th Street location will be closed on Christmas Day. www.wisesonsdeli.com.
Deli seekers on the other side of the bay can head to Saul’s Restaurant and Delicatessen in Berkeley, which will be open until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Christmas. www.saulsdeli.com.