I'm Jewish. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Another Jewish poster here. The difference with Christmas is that it is everywhere. My daughter goes to Jewish preschool and has never been to a Christmas party, yet she knows who Santa is and what a Christmas tree is. If you take your kid to a Hanukah celebration, that will be maybe 2% of her holiday season celebrating. She will be surrounded by Christmas music, decorations , and general anticipation the rest of the time.

I'm not particularly "anti Christmas" but, I've been discovering in the process of raising a Jewish child in a predominantly Christian country that I do need to make an effort to gently limit Christmas celebrating so that it doesn't overshadow our celebrations.

[Anonymous]

I know a number of women in this area who only hang out with other Jewish women, frown upon Jews who marry non- Jews (even if those marriages are happier than their own), make borderline rude comments to non-Jewish people often - yet, these women do not regularly attend temple. Short version - it's cultural but they hide it behind religion since they aren't even religious! In any other culture they'd be considered racist against those who are different from them and their "circle." Thoughts on that? Have you seen it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP, this attitude is the epitome of what is wrong with the Jewish community in America today.

It is a cop out to give you honest answers???? Do you have a menorah you light at your house every year? Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year when you're not Chinese???? I said I don't put out decorations but I do celebrate with others who celebrate Christmas. Want that your question????? One year a few families in the area (Kensington?) we're mad about a Christmas parade and, in response Jewish families showed up in Santa hats to demonstrate their support of the parade being held. Generally, Jews enjoy the holiday season in its entirety. You are looking for flaws with the Jewish community for some reason and your axe to grind has nothing to do with this thread or the OP.

FWIW, Jews don't see not putting up a tree as robbing their kids of enjoyment any more than you see the joy you rob your kids of by not taking them to Purim carnivals. Get a grip. Call child protective services and report me for lack of tree. Our kids are fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a number of women in this area who only hang out with other Jewish women, frown upon Jews who marry non- Jews (even if those marriages are happier than their own), make borderline rude comments to non-Jewish people often - yet, these women do not regularly attend temple. Short version - it's cultural but they hide it behind religion since they aren't even religious! In any other culture they'd be considered racist against those who are different from them and their "circle." Thoughts on that? Have you seen it?

But non Jews never make comments. Never call someone a Jew if they're cheap, never criticize people for not putting out Christmas trees.......I'm not saying some Jews aren't assholes, I'm saying some people are assholes and you can't blame religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are some Jewish people cheap?

Pretty sure this is a joke. Anyway some of everybody is cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a number of women in this area who only hang out with other Jewish women, frown upon Jews who marry non- Jews (even if those marriages are happier than their own), make borderline rude comments to non-Jewish people often - yet, these women do not regularly attend temple. Short version - it's cultural but they hide it behind religion since they aren't even religious! In any other culture they'd be considered racist against those who are different from them and their "circle." Thoughts on that? Have you seen it?

But non Jews never make comments. Never call someone a Jew if they're cheap, never criticize people for not putting out Christmas trees.......I'm not saying some Jews aren't assholes, I'm saying some people are assholes and you can't blame religion.

This answer doesn't make sense. Are you the OP?

The point is - it's like they get so much "club pride" out of being Jewish, yet they aren't even religious. It's like they've missed the whole point on which their snobbery is based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question for you, OP. My child has been going to some bar/bat mitzvah services and some majorly sweet parties to celebrate these events. So elaborate, like something on TV, way better than first communion and our wedding. What's with that? How did this religious rite develop into these huge parties?

I'm mid-30s and had a similar celebration when i was 12. So did my siblings and all of my jewish friends growing up. You're right, they are like mini weddings and come with similar budgets. I cannot even imagine how much money goes into these parties but can tell you that my child definitely won't be receiving the same.

I did too. A bat mitzvah is an important day and people celebrate as they choose. When you are invited to a celebration, try not to be so judgemental and have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you noticed that Jews are the only people who distance themselves that far from Christmas (and Jehovas Witness)? I mean my Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist friends all join in. I take time to enjoy their holidays too, but to many Jews it seems like an "us and them" fight. I am not even religious and for the last 20 years have not had a tree, but I get into any fun holiday regardless of the religion. Now, more and more Jews are distancing themselves from Halloween? Can you all lighten up? Can you invite some non Jews to FUN Jewish holidays? i.e., not Passover. Every religion has fun holidays.

Hindu has no relation to Christian so there is no confusion for their children about religious significance. Muslim incorporates the New Testament and sees Jesus as a prophet so the holiday celebration can be seen as relevant. Judaism becomes Christianity with the belief in Jesus as the messiah, so it is important for some people that they make it clear to their children they don't celebrate. Some Russian Jews put up trees because it is a solstice tradition in Russia. Also, *very* few Jews are Scrooges. I don't put up Christmas decorations but I take my kids to celebrate with friends. Also, Passover is fun for kids. Just a note

Also, only very religious Jews distance themselves from Halloween and they always have.

This too is a cop out. You can't make the argument that Jewish children will be confused by Christmas but children who celebrate other religions are able to understand that people have different traditions. You are selling Jewish kids short by thinking that they need to be especially protected from Christmas. Jews don't have to (and wouldn't be expected to) bring Christmas into their own houses, but there is no reason to keep them from understanding that others celebrate and allowing them to participate in the celebrations of their friends in the manner that we all do with friends of different backgrounds because of worries that they will be confused.

Not the OP. I don't want my child to be tempted in any way to not be Jewish. I would prefer that my kid spend time celebrating his own holiday and learning about his own religion. Every day my kid is exposed to Chritianity. Every day there is one more temptation for him not to want to be Jewish. I have to do everything in my power to make sure my child has a strong Jewish identity. If that means not celebrating a holiday that celebrates the birth of another religion's messiah, so be it. I don't care whether other kids from other religions celebrate holidays that are not theirs. I only care that my child wants to carry on in our religion and marry someone else who is Jewish so that his children will also want to carry on the same way. Hitler killed too many of us. Intermarriage and conversion will take away the rest.

OP, this attitude is the epitome of what is wrong with the Jewish community in America today.

I would say that the majority of non-observant Jews do not share this point of view. The problem with the non-observant Jewish community is that it doesn't agree with this pov.

[Anonymous]

Why do Jewish girls love to give BJ's, you're making the rest of us have to live up to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP, this attitude is the epitome of what is wrong with the Jewish community in America today.

It is a cop out to give you honest answers???? Do you have a menorah you light at your house every year? Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year when you're not Chinese???? I said I don't put out decorations but I do celebrate with others who celebrate Christmas. Want that your question????? One year a few families in the area (Kensington?) we're mad about a Christmas parade and, in response Jewish families showed up in Santa hats to demonstrate their support of the parade being held. Generally, Jews enjoy the holiday season in its entirety. You are looking for flaws with the Jewish community for some reason and your axe to grind has nothing to do with this thread or the OP.

FWIW, Jews don't see not putting up a tree as robbing their kids of enjoyment any more than you see the joy you rob your kids of by not taking them to Purim carnivals. Get a grip. Call child protective services and report me for lack of tree. Our kids are fine.

The point was that believing that a child can be tempted away from believing in a religion because they bother to take an interest in the holiday celebrations of their friends and neighbors of a different religion is the epitome of is wrong with this particular Jewish way of thinking. You sound like you do take an interest and you don't have an irrational fear of your children being tempted to convert because they shared Santa-shaped cookies with a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do Jews get offended when someone suggests that there is a Jewish look?

I agree that there is a Jewish look, however it does not always apply. I have red hair, and I certainly do not "look" Jewish. I don't get offended unless these comments are malicious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a number of women in this area who only hang out with other Jewish women, frown upon Jews who marry non- Jews (even if those marriages are happier than their own), make borderline rude comments to non-Jewish people often - yet, these women do not regularly attend temple. Short version - it's cultural but they hide it behind religion since they aren't even religious! In any other culture they'd be considered racist against those who are different from them and their "circle." Thoughts on that? Have you seen it?

But non Jews never make comments. Never call someone a Jew if they're cheap, never criticize people for not putting out Christmas trees.......I'm not saying some Jews aren't assholes, I'm saying some people are assholes and you can't blame religion.

This answer doesn't make sense. Are you the OP?

The point is - it's like they get so much "club pride" out of being Jewish, yet they aren't even religious. It's like they've missed the whole point on which their snobbery is based.

Not OP here. It's very interesting to me that you have observed these interactions. I have to say, I have felt very left out by Christian women. I feel like Christian women look at me like I am some foreign creature because they know I am Jewish. I find that Christian women, not all, do the very thing you accuse Jewish women of doing. One thing to consider, that I have come across, is that some of these friendships that have formed among Jewish women, happened because these women's children attended the same Jewish nursery school. Tight bonds are formed among parents at nursery schools that continue for a lifetime. I tend to gravitate towards Jews because they know where I am coming from. They aren't going to say things to me like, "Wow. You don't look Jewish." Or "why are Jews so cheap?" Or " You talk like a Jew."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you noticed that Jews are the only people who distance themselves that far from Christmas (and Jehovas Witness)? I mean my Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist friends all join in. I take time to enjoy their holidays too, but to many Jews it seems like an "us and them" fight. I am not even religious and for the last 20 years have not had a tree, but I get into any fun holiday regardless of the religion. Now, more and more Jews are distancing themselves from Halloween? Can you all lighten up? Can you invite some non Jews to FUN Jewish holidays? i.e., not Passover. Every religion has fun holidays.

Hindu has no relation to Christian so there is no confusion for their children about religious significance. Muslim incorporates the New Testament and sees Jesus as a prophet so the holiday celebration can be seen as relevant. Judaism becomes Christianity with the belief in Jesus as the messiah, so it is important for some people that they make it clear to their children they don't celebrate. Some Russian Jews put up trees because it is a solstice tradition in Russia. Also, *very* few Jews are Scrooges. I don't put up Christmas decorations but I take my kids to celebrate with friends. Also, Passover is fun for kids. Just a note

Also, only very religious Jews distance themselves from Halloween and they always have.

the previous poster doesn't deserve a response. She is obviously a complete moron and would benefit from some basic education. Your response will go right over her head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do Jews get offended when someone suggests that there is a Jewish look?

I agree that there is a Jewish look, however it does not always apply. I have red hair, and I certainly do not "look" Jewish. I don't get offended unless these comments are malicious.

I take it as a compliment when people say I look Jewish. Jews are beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP, this attitude is the epitome of what is wrong with the Jewish community in America today.

It is a cop out to give you honest answers???? Do you have a menorah you light at your house every year? Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year when you're not Chinese???? I said I don't put out decorations but I do celebrate with others who celebrate Christmas. Want that your question????? One year a few families in the area (Kensington?) we're mad about a Christmas parade and, in response Jewish families showed up in Santa hats to demonstrate their support of the parade being held. Generally, Jews enjoy the holiday season in its entirety. You are looking for flaws with the Jewish community for some reason and your axe to grind has nothing to do with this thread or the OP.

FWIW, Jews don't see not putting up a tree as robbing their kids of enjoyment any more than you see the joy you rob your kids of by not taking them to Purim carnivals. Get a grip. Call child protective services and report me for lack of tree. Our kids are fine.

The point was that believing that a child can be tempted away from believing in a religion because they bother to take an interest in the holiday celebrations of their friends and neighbors of a different religion is the epitome of is wrong with this particular Jewish way of thinking. You sound like you do take an interest and you don't have an irrational fear of your children being tempted to convert because they shared Santa-shaped cookies with a friend.

You're clearly not reading my responses so I don't know why I bother. I said I DO celebrate with friends. My daughter helped decorate our neighbors tree this week! I just don't put up my own tree.