I'm not not sure what a "Jewish law perspective" means in this context, but I don't think it's reasonable to describe the song as "all Old Testament". Sure you can point to Isaiah, but you can also point to Matthew, and anybody singing it today is certainly identifying "Immanuel" with Jesus.

I agree with this. I'm Christian and happen to love this song, but I'm not so sure how to answer your question. It's an Advent carol, not a Christmas one, but it's Christian either way. Yes, it originates with the verse from Isaiah so you could try to characterize it as Old Testament and therefore not at odds with Judaism, but it is certainly also consonant with what's written in Matthew ("and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means God with us" in reference to Jesus) and it's definitely sung in that context in Christian churches.

It's a church song - so do church songs belong in a public school? It depends on what the purpose is - my kids have come home from school singing the dreidel song or with a picture they colored about Kwanzaa, I have zero issues with that if it's done in the context of exposure to/learning about other religions or cultures.

OP, I don't see the issue with Jingle Bells. That, to me, is like Frosty the Snowman or Winter Wonderland. Frankly, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is more "Christmas-y" than Jingle Bells. Little Drummer Boy, however, is also a religious song.

I think it is a beautiful song. I am Christian (Episcopalian) but would not mind at all if my children sang a song praising the birth or life of Allah or Buddha or another legitimate religious figure. They were good people. Jesus is (at least) minimally depicted, if depicted at all, as a descent person by the Jewish religion, yes? Not as some Jim Jones type character. I think its harmless at worst and mind opening at best. As long as it isnt a prosletzing situation, or one where you have to pray to a religious figure, I say they more we all learn about the myriad of religious cultures and trappings (songs) out there the better. Under the constitution I think that is (or should be) the basic standard at Public Schools.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Other grades are singing jingle bells and little drummer boy.
Aren't these Christmas Carols?

I was with you OP until you mentioned you have a problem with Jingle Bells. Religious songs are one thing, but holiday songs? Come on! Ask a friend to remove the stick from your butt.

15:08 please go away

OP here. Other grades are singing jingle bells and little drummer boy.
Aren't these Christmas Carols?

I'd rather he sing a song relating to a different religion than listen to rap or Kei$ha, right? God forbid he gets exposed to cultures other than his own. Not worth complaining. Relax.

Anonymous wrote:Its certainly a "biblical" song, but its all Old Testament. I would obviously prefer there was no religious songs at a secular school, but from a Jewish law perspective, I dont see a problem with it.

I'm not not sure what a "Jewish law perspective" means in this context, but I don't think it's reasonable to describe the song as "all Old Testament". Sure you can point to Isaiah, but you can also point to Matthew, and anybody singing it today is certainly identifying "Immanuel" with Jesus.

Anonymous wrote:Not really cool.

The song really has a strong religious (Christian) text. There are so many other good holiday songs to pick from - I'm not sure why the couldn't pick a good old, classic Christmas song written Irving Berlin

I also sang this song (along with so many, many other religious songs) in choir in high school (1990's). Most of them I didn't mind because they had a pretty melody - but this one doesn't even have that going for it!

forgot to mention, I'm Jewish.

Not really cool.

The song really has a strong religious (Christian) text. There are so many other good holiday songs to pick from - I'm not sure why the couldn't pick a good old, classic Christmas song written Irving Berlin

I also sang this song (along with so many, many other religious songs) in choir in high school (1990's). Most of them I didn't mind because they had a pretty melody - but this one doesn't even have that going for it!

Its certainly a "biblical" song, but its all Old Testament. I would obviously prefer there was no religious songs at a secular school, but from a Jewish law perspective, I dont see a problem with it.

I think it's a poor choice, but I think there's some latitude for songs (just like you can study the bible "as literature/history").

so, not cool but not worth a federal case.

It is a DCPS Charter School.

It is a DCPS Charter, SUPPOSED to have no religion at all......

Is it a secular school?