Nittel Nacht (Yiddish for "Nativity Night", the night preceding the traditional celebration of Jesus' birth) is a European Jewish tradition, adopted starting in the 17th century, to abstain from learning Torah, stay up late into the night, and play cards and other games on Christmas Eve. This was traditionally done so as not to "provide any merit to the individual who is being celebrated" on that night. But in a practical sense, staying up late on Nittel Nacht served as a form of protection and self-defense at a time when pogroms and anti-Jewish violence was common, particularly on the eve of Christmas. For more info about the history of the "holiday", see here.
Nowadays, Nittel Nacht is predominantly observed by Hasidic communities (like the Chabad-Lubavitch sect). But that doesn't mean we can't get in on it too!
Join Erica and Dimitry at Hex and Co, a wonderful board game store at West 114th St. and Broadway, for games, food (kosher, probably Chinese, as per tradition), and good company.
Only 20 spots available. Tickets are $18. Be sure to RSVP asap, no later than Sunday 12/21.