DS attends Jewish preschool. Wants to celebrate Jewish holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is in preschool. Just redirect him after saying you aren’t Jewish.

Hold on! Jews aren't Christians but put.up Christmas trees and give Christmas gifts as well as Hanukka, (sp?) so let him celebrate them. Most stores are owned by Jews and they have no problem decorating for Christmas andand counting Christmas as their highest profit season. So, why can't a young child, whose parents sent him to a Jewish preschool, celebrate Jewish holidays as well?!

excuse me?? this post is antisemitic and should be deleted. the casual anti jewish sentiment in this day and age is absolutely disgusting. (i am not jewish or christian)

I concur. It’s disgusting. This poster’s comments smack of straight up Anti-Semitism as well as inaccurate stereotypes. It’s appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Jewish or Christian does one have to be to celebrate the holidays?

None. Do it up how you want and in a way that is meaningful to you!

But someone before said I could offend them by things I do in my own home. Should I put my son’s foreskin back on or rename my daughter Mary to something entirely secular like Apple? Also how are they so offended by something they cannot see unless they are peeking in my window? So confusing.

You are really so dense.

For many people, their religion means something to them. The notion of you lighting a menorah if you’re not Jewish, saying Christian prayers without being Christian, etc. is offensive.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

Frankly I find religion offensive. I see it as a way to control and diminish women and to control the populace in general. It always excludes someone. I hate the myriad horrible things done in its name since the beginning BUT I don't go around telling people not to do it. You do what you want on your body and in your home and I'll do what brings me joy.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Jewish or Christian does one have to be to celebrate the holidays?

None. Do it up how you want and in a way that is meaningful to you!

But someone before said I could offend them by things I do in my own home. Should I put my son’s foreskin back on or rename my daughter Mary to something entirely secular like Apple? Also how are they so offended by something they cannot see unless they are peeking in my window? So confusing.

You are really so dense.

For many people, their religion means something to them. The notion of you lighting a menorah if you’re not Jewish, saying Christian prayers without being Christian, etc. is offensive.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

Frankly I find religion offensive. I see it as a way to control and diminish women and to control the populace in general. It always excludes someone. I hate the myriad horrible things done in its name since the beginning BUT I don't go around telling people not to do it. You do what you want on your body and in your home and I'll do what brings me joy.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

If you hate all religion, then this thread is really not for you.

By the way, not all religions are what you describe above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How Jewish or Christian does one have to be to celebrate the holidays?

None. Do it up how you want and in a way that is meaningful to you!

But someone before said I could offend them by things I do in my own home. Should I put my son’s foreskin back on or rename my daughter Mary to something entirely secular like Apple? Also how are they so offended by something they cannot see unless they are peeking in my window? So confusing.

You are really so dense.

For many people, their religion means something to them. The notion of you lighting a menorah if you’re not Jewish, saying Christian prayers without being Christian, etc. is offensive.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

Frankly I find religion offensive. I see it as a way to control and diminish women and to control the populace in general. It always excludes someone. I hate the myriad horrible things done in its name since the beginning BUT I don't go around telling people not to do it. You do what you want on your body and in your home and I'll do what brings me joy.

Can you seriously not comprehend that?

If you hate all religion, then this thread is really not for you.

By the way, not all religions are what you describe above.

I think this thread is done for me because I support people celebrating anything they want whenever they want and yes all religions are a mess and a means of control but hey, you do you.

[Anonymous]

Jews don’t care if non Jews celebrate their holidays. We don’t believe in the concept of “appropriation.” We are open to others celebrating our traditions and would be flattered if you want to celebrate our holidays. We want people to come together rather than to divide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jews don’t care if non Jews celebrate their holidays. We don’t believe in the concept of “appropriation.” We are open to others celebrating our traditions and would be flattered if you want to celebrate our holidays. We want people to come together rather than to divide.

As a Jew I only partially agree.

Do you think most Jews would be ok with a non-Jew reciting the Shema just because they sort of feel like it, or deciding to secularly celebrate Yom Kippur?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have any close friends or family who are Jewish? Maybe they could include your son in their celebrations. There are probably also a lot of virtual celebrations going on now due to COVID that you could let him join and participate in online. You could accompany him or not.

As a Jew, I am not offended by non-Jews celebrating Jewish holidays in their home, but it seems awkward for you or your husband to lead such a celebration if you don't really know or care about it. Whereas letting your son join celebrations led by Jews, just like you let him go to Jewish preschool, seems more authentic and less awkward.

Something to think about also, is how you will feel if his interest in Judaism persists beyond preschool. For most kids in his situation that won't happen, but it's a possibility, especially if one or two of his close friends in elementary are Jews. Would it bother you if his interest deepened as he got older and became more serious?

I am Jewish. If a parent called and asked if they could join a celebration (assuming it is one done at home, like Hannukah), I would gladly invite them to take part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jews don’t care if non Jews celebrate their holidays. We don’t believe in the concept of “appropriation.” We are open to others celebrating our traditions and would be flattered if you want to celebrate our holidays. We want people to come together rather than to divide.

As a Jew I only partially agree.

Do you think most Jews would be ok with a non-Jew reciting the Shema just because they sort of feel like it, or deciding to secularly celebrate Yom Kippur?

NP. Why not? Religion stands for different things to many and if doing the things you mentioned gives a person a certain measure of meaning, how can that be bad?

[Anonymous]

I’d buy him a dreidel and some chocolate gelt and make some latkes. Enjoy!

A Jewish mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jews don’t care if non Jews celebrate their holidays. We don’t believe in the concept of “appropriation.” We are open to others celebrating our traditions and would be flattered if you want to celebrate our holidays. We want people to come together rather than to divide.

As a Jew I only partially agree.

Do you think most Jews would be ok with a non-Jew reciting the Shema just because they sort of feel like it, or deciding to secularly celebrate Yom Kippur?

NP. Why not? Religion stands for different things to many and if doing the things you mentioned gives a person a certain measure of meaning, how can that be bad?

I’d have no issue with it whatsoever. What does it matter? I find it very hard to believe that a non Jew would take the time to recite the Shemah or fast for Yom Kippur. If they do, perhaps they are exploring conversion. There are sects of Christianity that predominantly believe in the Old Testament.

[Anonymous]

I am a non-White, non-Christian immigrant. My kids know about the major religions and religious holidays. They know how to be respectful and the belief systems of other people. I will usually make something delicious from these traditions and approach teaching about it from a secular viewpoint. My parents raised us like this and as kids we concentrated on the fun food, games, decorations, gift aspect of it.

I wish US schools taught this in their curriculum and made this country more secular and inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d buy him a dreidel and some chocolate gelt and make some latkes. Enjoy!

A Jewish mom

+1
-Non-Jewish mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jews don’t care if non Jews celebrate their holidays. We don’t believe in the concept of “appropriation.” We are open to others celebrating our traditions and would be flattered if you want to celebrate our holidays. We want people to come together rather than to divide.

As a Jew I only partially agree.

Do you think most Jews would be ok with a non-Jew reciting the Shema just because they sort of feel like it, or deciding to secularly celebrate Yom Kippur?

NP. Why not? Religion stands for different things to many and if doing the things you mentioned gives a person a certain measure of meaning, how can that be bad?

I’d have no issue with it whatsoever. What does it matter? I find it very hard to believe that a non Jew would take the time to recite the Shemah or fast for Yom Kippur. If they do, perhaps they are exploring conversion. There are sects of Christianity that predominantly believe in the Old Testament.

If they’re exploring conversion, that’s different and they should be contacting a rabbi, so they can actually learn about Judaism.

[Anonymous]

Jesus celebrated Hanukkah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jesus celebrated Hanukkah.

Huh?