[PJ Library published a book called Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise, about a Jewish girl celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah with her non-Jewish grandmother. The book was promoted by the UJA Federation.]

Some Toronto Jewish parents were not happy at all to receive the PJ Library's gift for Hanukkah. One of them said to CIJnews that the book "Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise" is expressing a sympathetic attitude towards intermarriage and celebrating Christmas and thus giving a "hescher" (approval) for assimilation.

In a letter to PJ Library, Dave Gordon, complained about the book he received in the mail. "I couldn't believe my eyes, and what I almost read. It wasn't "Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise" as much as it was Aba's horrific surprise," he wrote.

"This book essentially glorifies Christmas, condones intermarriage, and implies that it is acceptable to mingle Chanukah with Christmas... And the irony or ironies, the story of Chanukah is primarily about defending our faith, fighting for our faith and fighting assimilation. Thing is, assimilation is everywhere in this book," he added.

Gordon also questioned the role of the UJA Federation. "This is coming from a Jewish Federation?!... How can a Jewish Federation on the one hand purport to keep a Jewish community strong, prepare us for a "Jewish Tomorrow"; but on the other hand send children a book about intermarriage and Christmas?"

He advised PJ Library to send to its thousands of subscribed parent next month "a strongly worded letter of apology."