Last Christmas, San Francisco's R&G Lounge was bustling with diners. However, contrary to expectations, there weren't as many Jewish people as one might have thought. American Jews have a unique history of celebrating Christmas over the years, often gathering at Chinese restaurants in search of community.

"In San Francisco, Christmas at R&G Lounge Unites All"

Section 1: The History of Jewish Christmas at R&G

In 1896, the local newspaper Emanu-El published an article highlighting the Jewish adoption of Christmas. Over the years, this tradition has continued, with Jews from San Francisco and beyond gathering at places like R&G Lounge. It's become a holiday cliché, with families coming together in the name of nourishment. For example, my cousin Dave Rubin has a memorable anecdote from a now-closed Chinese restaurant in Boca Raton. This shows how deeply ingrained this tradition is.

Today, Jews crowd institutions from Los Angeles to New York to Boston on Christmas, seeking a sense of community. Chinese restaurants play a significant role in this, doubling as de facto JCCs.

Section 2: The Present at R&G Lounge

Walking into R&G Lounge, one might expect a sea of Jewish families. But instead, there were a diverse group of people. Lauren, a native San Franciscan, shared that her family didn't have a specific go-to Chinese spot for Christmas. Instead, they would sit around and enjoy the day.

There were groups like a crew of dudes in red plaid, a single woman in a Santa hat, and a goateed professor named Peter. They all came to show their love and support for the city. Kate, for instance, had never been to R&G before but decided to give it a try.

Section 3: The Crowd at R&G

As the evening progressed, the sidewalk crowds swelled. The R&G hostess was unfazed by the chaos, efficiently managing the reservations. Ben, a nice Jewish boy from Manhattan, found comfort in having a reservation.

There were locals and tourists of all ages and ethnicities. From newborns to seniors, everyone was part of this Christmas gathering. Even a lone bubbe from Long Island and a mom-daughter duo were there, adding to the diverse mix.

Section 4: The Experience of Eating at R&G

My family and I made the trip to San Francisco's Chinatown to enjoy Chinese food on Christmas. We saw the plastic white takeout bags piled on the counter and our sweet server, who has been with R&G since the first Bush administration.

By the end of the night, over 1,000 diners had passed through. It didn't matter how many were Jewish; the important thing was the sense of community. We missed Boca for a moment but then enjoyed the Peking duck.

In conclusion, R&G Lounge on Christmas is a place where diverse people come together. It shows that even in a secular city like San Francisco, Jews still hold onto their traditions and find a sense of belonging among others.