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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Jewish People...I have a question
This is to settle an argument (as I seem to be having a lot of these today) Here is my question, plain and simple.
Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you have a tree? Do you do Christmas Dinner? Do you feel that Christmas is your holiday?
My reason for asking this is that some people (no one in particular) including some of my friends and my in laws don't understand that I feel like Christmas is not my holiday, I am Jewish, my religion doesn't celebrate these holidays. Its kind of starting to make me mad that people think that Jewish people should celebrate Christmas...
Don't flame me please, this is really out of curiousity and I am really interested to hear what people have to say about this!!!!! Remember, I am a lover not a fighter. Thanks in advance if you take the time to answer this.
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Posted 11/21/07 11:35 AM  |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Um, I'm jewish. I celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas.
That means, no christmas dinner, no christmas tree, no christmas gifts. In fact, we have a tradition in our family, like most American jews - Chinese food on Christmas Eve! 
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:37 AM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by racheeeee
This is to settle an argument (as I seem to be having a lot of these today) Here is my question, plain and simple.
Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you have a tree? Do you do Christmas Dinner? Do you feel that Christmas is your holiday?
My reason for asking this is that some people (no one in particular) including some of my friends and my in laws don't understand that I feel like Christmas is not my holiday, I am Jewish, my religion doesn't celebrate these holidays. Its kind of starting to make me mad that people think that Jewish people should celebrate Christmas...
Don't flame me please, this is really out of curiousity and I am really interested to hear what people have to say about this!!!!! Remember, I am a lover not a fighter. Thanks in advance if you take the time to answer this.
I assume your DH celebrates Christmas b/c you said your inlaws? Just curious!
If that is the case I can understand you going to christmas dinner at the inlaws...but you should never have to "celebrate" anything if it isn't your religion. I've never celebrated Hanukkah because I am catholic but I have on many occassions had dinner at my friends house for it. Participating is different than celebrating. I would never be asked to have a menorah in my home, they should't expect different for you!
Message edited 11/21/2007 11:41:27 AM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:39 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
No. We don't celebrate christmas. I agree with you, its not our holiday. To me, Christmas is a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Even if it has been "securalized" I respect the meaning behind Christmas and don't celebrate it.
Even though trees and carols and santa do not have the religious connotation they once might have held, Its not our holiday so we don't celebrate it at all.
However, we DO invite all our Jewish and Hindu friends over for latkes and cider (even if its not Hanukah) and maybe some ice skating since Wollman rink is opened on Christmas.
BTW, has anyone noticed that if Christmas really is Jesus's birthday, then New Years day was his bris.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:40 AM |
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Ginger123
Sooo happy
Member since 8/07 1235 total posts
Name:
dana
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
obv it has become an american holiday and people just conform and expect everyone else to follow ... do what you want there are no rules when it comes to good food and good times :)
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:40 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Bxgell2
Um, I'm jewish. I celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas.
That means, no christmas dinner, no christmas tree, no christmas gifts. In fact, we have a tradition in our family, like most American jews - Chinese food on Christmas Eve!
So does this mean that if someone gives you a Christmas present, or lets say you eat dinner on Christmas that you are celebrating Christmas???
eta...I should have said that my husband isn't Jewish. His parents didn't do Christmas once he got to be in his teens, we don't get together with them over the holidays at all.
Message edited 11/21/2007 11:41:56 AM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:40 AM |
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robynfs
12/6/10!!
Member since 9/05 4947 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
A jew here who doesn't celebrate christmas!!
Christmas is not my holiday...no tree, no lights, no carols. I will however go over to a friends if I am invited...but for the social aspect not because im celebrating the birth of christ!
Message edited 11/21/2007 11:41:26 AM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:40 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Shelly
BTW, has anyone noticed that if Christmas really is Jesus's birthday, then New Years day was his bris.
OMG  what a way to start off the year with a bang!
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:41 AM |
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Samlove
Member since 5/05 4729 total posts
Name:
Shari
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
My 5 year old would like us to celebrate CHristmas buy NO we do not. We celebrate only Chanukah
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:41 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Personally, I don't celebrate Christmas at all, or any other non-Jewish or non-American (e.g., Thanksgiving) holiday.
I spend Christmas Day watching movies and eating junk food, deli and/or Chinese food with my hubby and his family. We call it "Jew Movie Day". We always go to a movie on Christmas Eve.
I had friends growing up who had "Chanukah bushes" and "Chanukah stockings" so that they didn't feel left out of Christmas. My parents would never do this and taught me to appreciate the unique aspects of my own religion and holidays.
If invited, I would gladly go to a friend's home for Christmas dinner, but I'm not going to celebrate it in my own home.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:42 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by Bxgell2
Um, I'm jewish. I celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas.
That means, no christmas dinner, no christmas tree, no christmas gifts. In fact, we have a tradition in our family, like most American jews - Chinese food on Christmas Eve!
So does this mean that if someone gives you a Christmas present, or lets say you eat dinner on Christmas that you are celebrating Christmas???
eta...I should have said that my husband isn't Jewish. His parents didn't do Christmas once he got to be in his teens, we don't get together with them over the holidays at all.
Um, no, it just means you are joining someone else in their christmas celebration as a guest.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:43 AM |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I am not Jewish, and I would think it would be ridiculous to expect my Jewish friends to decorate and celebrate christmas! Something is wrong with these people that do.
I don't think there is anything wrong with joining a catholic family for christmas dinner or anythng, its just friends inviting friends to spend time with them. IMO its the same as attending a wedding of a different faith. Its not like you wouldnt walk into a church/temple for a wedding and witness the vows, nobody is asking to pray along with the priest/rabbi if you don't believe.
Message edited 11/21/2007 11:48:01 AM.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:43 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Beth, You know the CD from the temple that you posted on the parenting board a year ago. I have it and downloaded it onto the Ipod.
Well have you noticed the song "round and round the hanukah tree?" I was listening to it the other day and was like ***? 
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:44 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Shelly
Beth, You know the CD from the temple that you posted on the parenting board a year ago. I have it and downloaded it onto the Ipod.
Well have you noticed the song "round and round the hanukah tree?" I was listening to it the other day and was like ***?
OMG, I'm such a bad jew! I
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:45 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I'm Jewish, but DH isn't. I celebrate Christmas with his family. DH's grandmother always invites my family over for Christmas eve dinner. I don't consider Christmas to be my holiday though.
Growing up, I never celebrated Christmas or had a Christmas tree. My family likes Christmas music though so we listened to it on Christmas eve. We also "celebrated" Christmas eve the typical Jewish way with Chinese food and a movie.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:45 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Bxgell2
like most American jews - Chinese food on Christmas Eve!
My devote Catholic Aunts have done this for years! My Grandfather did some favor for a Chinese resteraunt owner years ago and for a long time free Chinese food was delivered to their house on Christmas Eve. They have been having Chinese on this day for like 40 years! 
sorry to butt in..(i'm not Jewish)
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:45 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I think that living in a place where most people don't know anyone Jewish (even though there is a Jewish community where I live here, they are quite insular and very Frum) people are absolutely shocked to find out that I don't have a Christmas Tree, that I don't celebrate Christmas...they just can't understand it, and this includes my FIL. It really irks me that people say things to me like...so if you don't celebrate Christmas, how come you are taking the days holiday that they are giving you. Thats like an argument that is so stupid you can't even make a point about it.
Ugh. This is making me crazy. And stupid who is sitting behind me keeps asking me questions like, If Baseball is only in America, howcome they play the World Series or How come Thanksgiving isn't religious...OMG I am going to give him a piece of my fist soon...
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:46 AM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Jax430
Personally, I don't celebrate Christmas at all, or any other non-Jewish or non-American (e.g., Thanksgiving) holiday.
I spend Christmas Day watching movies and eating junk food, deli and/or Chinese food with my hubby and his family. We call it "Jew Movie Day". We always go to a movie on Christmas Eve.
I had friends growing up who had "Chanukah bushes" and "Chanukah stockings" so that they didn't feel left out of Christmas. My parents would never do this and taught me to appreciate the unique aspects of my own religion and holidays.
If invited, I would gladly go to a friend's home for Christmas dinner, but I'm not going to celebrate it in my own home.
Same here. The only "decoration" I have up for Chanukah is my Menorah
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:46 AM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I was raised Jewish, though not very religious, and we did celebrate Christmas when we were younger and my father's parents were still alive because they were catholic. I'm now married to a catholic so we celebrate everything.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:49 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by racheeeee
I think that living in a place where most people don't know anyone Jewish (even though there is a Jewish community where I live here, they are quite insular and very Frum) people are absolutely shocked to find out that I don't have a Christmas Tree, that I don't celebrate Christmas...they just can't understand it, and this includes my FIL. It really irks me that people say things to me like...so if you don't celebrate Christmas, how come you are taking the days holiday that they are giving you. Thats like an argument that is so stupid you can't even make a point about it.
Ugh. This is making me crazy. And stupid who is sitting behind me keeps asking me questions like, If Baseball is only in America, howcome they play the World Series or How come Thanksgiving isn't religious...OMG I am going to give him a piece of my fist soon...
Morons - but Racheee, I have experience with this, having married a non-American and I can say, with certainty, there is most definitely a cultural divide that just makes them plain ol' stupid sometimes!
I say you invoke your American rights and head home right now for Thanksgiving
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:50 AM |
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)
Member since 6/07 5339 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I'm Jewish and i celebrate Christmas...We have christmas dinner and a Christmas tree. We used to celebrate Hannakah and Christmas but then we stopped celebrating hannakah when my grandma died and just did christmas. I am only Jewish when it is conveniant. Thans what DH tells everyone.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:50 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
I have a confession, before moving in with DH I had a catholic roomate, who had a Christmas tree. I got addicted to the smell of pine. So I sometimes buy a wreath and cut it up and make a potpourri type thing that I sprinkle around the apartment. You can't really see it, but you can smell it.
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:51 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Bxgell2
Posted by racheeeee
I think that living in a place where most people don't know anyone Jewish (even though there is a Jewish community where I live here, they are quite insular and very Frum) people are absolutely shocked to find out that I don't have a Christmas Tree, that I don't celebrate Christmas...they just can't understand it, and this includes my FIL. It really irks me that people say things to me like...so if you don't celebrate Christmas, how come you are taking the days holiday that they are giving you. Thats like an argument that is so stupid you can't even make a point about it.
Ugh. This is making me crazy. And stupid who is sitting behind me keeps asking me questions like, If Baseball is only in America, howcome they play the World Series or How come Thanksgiving isn't religious...OMG I am going to give him a piece of my fist soon...
Morons - but Racheee, I have experience with this, having married a non-American and I can say, with certainty, there is most definitely a cultural divide that just makes them plain ol' stupid sometimes!
I say you invoke your American rights and head home right now for Thanksgiving
Okay, as a Lawyer, can you please send my boss Gill an email letting her know that Thanksgiving is now a Jewish holiday (Chanksgiving...) and I have to fly to NY immediately to spend the holiday with my family. (remember I tried to make Challah-ween into a Jewish Holiday) My boss is a smart girl...she won't buy this!
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:52 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Do you know what...I have Festive Lights that I put up at Chanukah for myself...and because they are supposed to be Christmas lights, I feel soooo guilty!!!
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:52 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Jewish People...I have a question
Posted by Shelly
I have a confession, before moving in with DH I had a catholic roomate, who had a Christmas tree. I got addicted to the smell of pine. So I sometimes buy a wreath and cut it up and make a potpourri type thing that I sprinkle around the apartment. You can't really see it, but you can smell it.
Then you'll appreciate a little trick my Israeli MIL taught me, of all people! Put some pinecones in your fireplace when it's burning and the apartment will smell like pine - it's delic!
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| Posted 11/21/07 11:52 AM |
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