Jewish Federation says if you can't go out for Chinese on Christmas, donate the cash

It’s perhaps the most unofficial Christmas tradition there is.

On Christmas Day, many members of the Jewish community go out to eat at Chinese restaurants because they are usually the only ones open.

This is often followed by a trip to the nearest bowling alley.

It’s a ritual that goes back more than 100 years, when Jewish and Chinese immigrants shared a neighborhood on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

With Pennsylvania restaurants closed by state order through the holidays, however, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is encouraging people to use the money they’re saving on a Christmas Chinese meal to help those in need during the pandemic.

“It would be great if people do both,” said Adam Hertzman, marketing director for the Jewish Federation. “It’s important to support local businesses, especially restaurants. But if you’re forgoing your Chinese food and have a little extra money, there are thousands and thousands of families in need, especially this year.”

Among the organizations the Jewish Federation is encouraging people to support are the Jewish Association on Aging; the Jewish Assistance Fund, where volunteers help with grants for food insecurity, clothing and rent; and Jewish Residential Services, providing services for adults with long-term mental illness.

It’s part of the broader effort of Mitzvah Days, Dec. 21-25. Every day there are different volunteer projects for people to get involved with, including a blood drive on Thursday at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill and Mt. Lebanon.

There are also programs such as calling seniors who are sheltering in place on Christmas Day, sewing masks for the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, and volunteering for Jewish Family and Community Services.

“Many people don’t know that a lot of the Jewish agencies in Pittsburgh serve both Jews and non-Jews,” Hertzman said. “Jewish Family and Community Services, for example, is the largest refugee and resettlement agency in Western Pennsylvania.”