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.

Why are some Jewish people cheap?

We're your parents or grands holocaust survivors? How does this affect you?

My DH is Jewish and I consider our ds Jewish (he had a bris). Would you think it was weird/obnoxious if I (not a jew) spEarheaded our Jewish family life?

p.s. i am questioning your rationale as these statements apply to you personally, not the statements themselves.

OP, you mentioned that you believe jews are the chosen people, but that you also question of god exists. aren't these two beliefs somewhat contradictory?

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that any criticism of the actions or policies of the (current or past) Israeli government is anti-Semitic?
Do you think that anything that the Israeli government does is in the interests of Jews worldwide?
Do you believe that it is possible to support the right of Israel to exist without believing that every action taken by Israel as a country must be defended even when innocent people are hurt?

All good questions. I support Israel and will leave it at that. Don't want to get into a big political discussion.

This is a cop out. You said "ask me anything". I don't need anything else answered. I'm interested in understanding why any criticism of specific actions of Israel is often considered to be anti-Semitic, even if there is underlying support for the country. Why do many Jews blindly support all actions that Israel takes regardless of who is prime minister and regardless of whether they are conservative, liberal, radical. You can be patriotic and support the US without agreeing with everything the President or Congress does. Why is this (often) different with Israel?

And a secondary question, do you think most American Jews have an in-depth understanding of the political situation in Israel?

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you defining Shiksa as a non-Jewish woman married to a Jewish man? That definition is incorrect. A Shiksa is a non-Jewish woman. It doesn't matter who she is married to. And no, it's obviously not tabboo to be female and not Jewish.

FWIW, many of the Jewish men I know who married non-Jewish women, no matter what their ethnic or religious backgrounds, married the Catholic, Chinese (or whatever), version of their Mother. It's like they went after a woman who they thought totally didn't represent how they grew up but they didn't realize that there are women like their Moms in all cultures anyway.

shiksa is a derogatory word for a non-Jewish female. Shaygetz is the male equivalent.

I believe both words are Yiddish.

I'm the one who posted about the definition. I did that because I wanted to make sure it was clear that it is not an associated word with what the woman's relationship status is, whether she is in a relationship at all. The OP responded that she intended to say that. My mother's first language is Yiddish and yes, they are both Yiddish words.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, please don't take my question as inflammatory. It was a hot issue in my town growing up, and I'd never be able to.ask this in person.

What is your opinion on a town putting up a nativity scene on a public green? Does your.opinion change at all if the town allowed a display of something relaated to Chanukah? What is your opinion on Christmas songs being played in stores, etc? As a kid, did you ever feel left out this time of year? Between Santa, commercials, etc., I've always wondered if Jewish kids got annoyed over this.

Definitely always felt left out during holiday season. My family would not allow anything Xmas related even though my siblings and I begged for a Chanukah bush with blue and white lights. We didnt get gifts for xmas, bake xmas cookies, or look at dec 24-25 as any different from a normal day - except that we knew everything would be closed. As an adult, I, glad that they did. Now with a child, I will do the same thing. Our Xmas day routine is Chinese food for dinner and a movie, probably always will be.

I don't mind Xmas songs played in stores. I get that there are way more people shopping for Xmas presents than chanukahu presents or any other holiday. I find them somewhat annoying, but really don't mind. When those songs come on the radio, I change the station or turn it off.

I think that a nativity scene is fine on public property as long as the same property also addresses other holidays (Chanukah and kwanza come to mind). Even the White House has a menorah. Does that answer all if your questions?

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.

This really upsets me (not the OP, but a jewish person). Passover IS my favorite holiday and I find it to be LOTS of fun! Maybe you just haven't been invited to the fun seders. FWIW, I don't want to celebrate the birth of a dead Jewish guy who really, did basically nothing for my religion. Jesus has nothing to do with me, my religion or how I live my life. So it's not my holiday to celebrate.

But, you should be open to going and participating in the celebrations of people who are your friends. We go to a hugely fun seder every year, not because we believe in the religious aspects of the holiday, but because we love our friends and the celebration is important to them. In return, they come to our Christmas party and celebrate with us. We have all also gone to the Buddhist wedding of a mutual friend and had a great time with this couple's traditions. At the seder, we read the parts in English that we can and after many years of attending, we sing many of the songs in Hebrew because we have come to know them. Our children do as well. Our friends and their children know Christmas carols (I think largely because they have a bigger cultural presence) and sing along on the few times that they have come with us to Christmas Eve services. None of this should be seen as "celebrating" the other religion. Rather, it is being open-minded to the fact that others have different beliefs and willing to "celebrate" your friendship with other people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, please don't take my question as inflammatory. It was a hot issue in my town growing up, and I'd never be able to.ask this in person.

What is your opinion on a town putting up a nativity scene on a public green? Does your.opinion change at all if the town allowed a display of something relaated to Chanukah? What is your opinion on Christmas songs being played in stores, etc? As a kid, did you ever feel left out this time of year? Between Santa, commercials, etc., I've always wondered if Jewish kids got annoyed over this.

Definitely always felt left out during holiday season. My family would not allow anything Xmas related even though my siblings and I begged for a Chanukah bush with blue and white lights. We didnt get gifts for xmas, bake xmas cookies, or look at dec 24-25 as any different from a normal day - except that we knew everything would be closed. As an adult, I, glad that they did. Now with a child, I will do the same thing. Our Xmas day routine is Chinese food for dinner and a movie, probably always will be.

I don't mind Xmas songs played in stores. I get that there are way more people shopping for Xmas presents than chanukahu presents or any other holiday. I find them somewhat annoying, but really don't mind. When those songs come on the radio, I change the station or turn it off.

I think that a nativity scene is fine on public property as long as the same property also addresses other holidays (Chanukah and kwanza come to mind). Even the White House has a menorah. Does that answer all if your questions?

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.

This really upsets me (not the OP, but a jewish person). Passover IS my favorite holiday and I find it to be LOTS of fun! Maybe you just haven't been invited to the fun seders. FWIW, I don't want to celebrate the birth of a dead Jewish guy who really, did basically nothing for my religion. Jesus has nothing to do with me, my religion or how I live my life. So it's not my holiday to celebrate.

But can you not lighten up and just have fun? The holiday comes from Saturnalia a Roman holiday. Do you rememebr that the Romans fed Christians to lions? Sheesh it is just about fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, please don't take my question as inflammatory. It was a hot issue in my town growing up, and I'd never be able to.ask this in person.

What is your opinion on a town putting up a nativity scene on a public green? Does your.opinion change at all if the town allowed a display of something relaated to Chanukah? What is your opinion on Christmas songs being played in stores, etc? As a kid, did you ever feel left out this time of year? Between Santa, commercials, etc., I've always wondered if Jewish kids got annoyed over this.

Definitely always felt left out during holiday season. My family would not allow anything Xmas related even though my siblings and I begged for a Chanukah bush with blue and white lights. We didnt get gifts for xmas, bake xmas cookies, or look at dec 24-25 as any different from a normal day - except that we knew everything would be closed. As an adult, I, glad that they did. Now with a child, I will do the same thing. Our Xmas day routine is Chinese food for dinner and a movie, probably always will be.

I don't mind Xmas songs played in stores. I get that there are way more people shopping for Xmas presents than chanukahu presents or any other holiday. I find them somewhat annoying, but really don't mind. When those songs come on the radio, I change the station or turn it off.

I think that a nativity scene is fine on public property as long as the same property also addresses other holidays (Chanukah and kwanza come to mind). Even the White House has a menorah. Does that answer all if your questions?

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.

This.

What holiday would you invite us when Jewish G-d or people were not killing egyptian babies or assyrians or similar?

I would love to celebrate life, not death, with Jewish friends

Passover celebrates freedom from the Egyptians and Hannukah celebrates freedom from the Assyrians. I wouldn't describe those holidays as necessarily celebrating the deaths of people. My Haggadah even says that we feel bad for the deaths of the Egyptians that died. You might enjoy Purim. That's another holiday celebrating freedom. Although, we do celebrate Haman's death. We are happy that Haman died because he persecuted and murdered many Jews in Persia because of their religion. Same with the Egyptians and Assyrians. On Passover, you get to drink until you don't know the good guy from the bad guy in the story of Purim. There's lots of dancing, singing and eating goodies. The fact is, Jews have been persecuted for centuries. Gaining freedom from our persecutors is something to celebrate.