It’s back… The holiday season is here (don’t blame the messenger) and that means we’re ready for another shouting match about the war on Christmas. This year’s battle is starting at Starbucks where the coffee giant is being accused of striking a blow on Christmas with its plain, red holiday cups. (I wonder what was on the side of Jesus’ cups at his bar mitzvah…)

+ The Guardian: American Pharoah named to the Forward 50 list of 2015’s most influential Jews. (Now I feel less weird about giving my cat a bris.)

+ Trump, Trump, Trump. Forget The Donald, the key moment of this week’s SNL was Larry David’s return as Bernie Sanders. An instant television classic.

+ NPR: Class Clown or Gifted Student? (Speaking from experience, trust me, Class Clown.)