Matzo Ball facts for kids
The Matzo Ball is a big party held every year on Christmas Eve in many major cities across the United States. It's mainly for young Jewish people who are single. Mazel Events, LLC organizes these fun parties.
Contents
Why the Matzo Ball Started
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, in Europe, Jewish people often stayed home during the Christmas holidays. They sometimes worried about safety from others. In the United States, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are usually times for Christian families to gather and pray.
However, the United States has a spirit of religious freedom. This has given American Jews the chance to enjoy the holiday season too.
Still, many American Jews don't have the same family gatherings on Christmas that Christians do.
Finding Fun on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day is a day off work all over the United States. This means there's often free time when many shops and businesses are closed. For American Jews, this could sometimes feel a bit lonely.
Before the Matzo Ball, a common activity was "Chinese and a movie." This meant eating at a Chinese restaurant, which are often open on Christmas. Then, people would watch a movie, maybe even a classic like It's a Wonderful Life.
With the Matzo Ball and similar events, December 24th became a chance to turn quiet time into a social event. It's a great way to meet new people and catch up with old friends.
How the Event Began
The very first Matzo Ball party happened in Boston in 1987. A local social organizer named Andrew Rudnick put it together.
In 1986, Rudnick was a Boston University student and worked part-time at a bar. He went to a Christmas Eve gathering for young Jewish professionals. He found it quite boring, like a school dance. People stood on separate sides of the room, the music was bad, and the food was stale. It wasn't a good place to meet people.
After that, Rudnick decided to host his own event. He planned it for the next December 24th at Metro, the nightclub where he worked. He and his friends spread the word by talking to people. They also put up posters and handed out flyers, especially at colleges and malls. Local radio DJs even helped promote it. About 2,000 people came to that first Matzo Ball! Rudnick soon left his job in commercial real estate to focus on organizing these events. He wanted to bring them to more cities.
The name "Matzo Ball" was thought up quickly in 1987. Rudnick's Irish-American coworker asked about Jewish food, which gave him the idea. The name for the organization was created by Rudnick and his Italian-American bosses, John and Patrick Lyons. They were worried the name "Matzo Ball" for a Christmas Eve event might offend people.
After the party was a big success again in 1988, Rudnick expanded. He brought the Matzo Ball to New York and Boca Raton in 1989. In 1990, it also started in Chicago, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.
The Matzo Ball has become well-known among American Jews. It has even appeared in stories and is mentioned in online gossip sites. Famous football players, Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, have even attended the Boston event.
What Happens at a Matzo Ball Event
Getting Tickets and Who Attends
Matzo Ball parties are usually held at popular nightclubs. Most people who attend are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. A ticket bought at the door can cost around $30 to $40.
In New York, between 1,100 and 1,700 people might attend. A line often forms outside the venue about 30 minutes before the party starts.
In some cities, the Matzo Ball is connected to other Jewish events. This might include volunteering at local food banks on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Who Can Come to the Party
The Matzo Ball is open to everyone. Couples, older people, and even non-Jewish people looking for a Christmas Eve activity are welcome.
In some cities, many attendees travel from out of town. This is especially true in places like Boca Raton, Florida. Many New Yorkers visit Boca Raton during the winter holidays.
Where the Parties Are Held
Rudnick and SYJP have tried to bring the Matzo Ball to new cities. They look for places with good facilities and enough young, successful Jewish people. This helps make the event a success.
As of 2021, the Matzo Ball is held in these cities:
- Boston, where the first event took place
- Los Angeles
- New York
- South Florida, including:
- Washington, DC
