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Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
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curley999
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
I just wanted to share that while we are christian and celebrate Christmas, we live in Queens and DD goes to public school. Every year she comes home complaining to me about why we dont celebrate Hanukkah and get 8 days of presents. I woudnt ever think to put up a menorah, we just tell her we celebrate christmas and other people celebrate different holidays they beleive in. When they are young just kept it simple. I think it is ok to let him receive gifts from others though. My DD brings home dredals and gold coins from the kids at school sharing their celebrations, they learn best by sharing in other cutlures
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Posted 12/22/10 11:20 AM  |
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nrthshgrl
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
I think you should celebrate whatever holidays your (immediate) family celebrates & participate in other holidays you were invited.
I think your giving him a Christmas gift signifies that you celebrate Christmas. If that is not your intention, I wouldn't do it.
I wouldn't have him pick out a Hannukah gift if they celebrate Christmas. If someone celebrates Hannukah, they should get a Hannukah gift, Catholics should get Christmas gifts. To me that's respecting each other's religions.
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| Posted 12/22/10 11:20 AM |
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QuoteTheRaven424
22 Months?!!!!
Member since 5/05 13659 total posts
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And If That Isn't A True Blue Miracle
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by QuoteTheRaven424
Posted by BigB
Posted by Goldi0218
Im old school as my parents were. In our house we celebrate Chanukah. In "Johnny"'s house, they celebrate Christmas. We believe "X". They believe "Y". Y does not happen in our house but if you wish to celebrate with Johnny, by all means. I want my children knowing about other religions and cultures. They will be told that other children believe in Santa Claus but we do not and I sure as heck will NOT tolerate it if my child were to say that Santa isn't real to a child who DOES.
I am THAT Jew who is fundamentally opposed to having a Christmas tree in my home despite the fact that I am told a tree isnot a symbol of religion. It symbolizes another religion to ME. I will not appease my children by caving and giving them Christmas things. I will also not give them things that are Jewish versions of Christmas things like a gingerbread Chanukah house. If we were an interfaith family, it would be a completely different story. But we aren't. The pageantry(sp?) of Christmas is VERY appealing. I myself enjoy the decorations and smells and even a few Christmas songs here and there and NYC at Christmas time is the best time to go.
For me it is cut and dry. We do this - they do that. Join them if you would like to, but its not what we beleive.
That is how we are as well, but from the Catholic perspective! I think it is so important that my children learn about other people's faith and I will encourage them to share in that celebration. However, no matter how much my son cries that we don't have an ANORA (Menorah) in our house, we are not getting one. Although I am tickled that at 3 yrs old he even knows what one is!
Happy Holidays! Being a parent is hard!
It's also one of the reasons we want to send our kids to public school, so they learn that not everyone celebrates the same way or the same thing. I went to Catholic School and I didn't know anything else existed until I was much older. And it was hard for me in the beginning.
I had both Jewish and Catholic friends. Most of us had some form of religious instruction outside of public school. Most of my friends who attended my Bat Mitzvah were NOT Jewish. We shared what we did. Kinda cool.
oh yeah, I know the public school by us has some Catholic programs as well, so we'll mix it up
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| Posted 12/22/10 11:26 AM |
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QuoteTheRaven424
22 Months?!!!!
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And If That Isn't A True Blue Miracle
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by QuoteTheRaven424
Posted by Goldi0218
....despite the fact that I am told a tree isnot a symbol of religion.
sorry to hijack
Not sure who is telling you that, but I think that may be incorrect. For years, I thought the same thing (the tree is secular) but I believe it actually has ties to Christianity.
Don't hold me to that, I could be wrong - need to look it up 
Hmm... according to some, the Bible actually forbids the use of an ornamented "Christmas Tree"....  
Christianity
Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame in Paris, France.
In Kharkov
Jeremiah 10:1-5 in the Bible says the following (King James Version):
[1] Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
[2] Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
[3] For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
This is interpreted by some fundamentalist Christians as referring to a Christmas tree, and that therefore the Bible would explicitly forbid the practice. However, the more common interpretation is that the passage refers to idol worship, and it is the practice of making an object out of wood, silver, and gold, and then worshiping that idol.[49] Others feel that since "Christmas Trees" are not biblically ordained, they should not be used. Such individuals and Christian denominations, such as the United Church of God, are unlikely to celebrate Christmas at all, for the same reason.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree
http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm
The modern Christmas tree tradition dates back to Western Germany in the 16th century. They were called "Paradeisbaum" (paradise trees) and were brought into homes to celebrate the annual Feast of Adam and Eve on DEC-24. They were first brought to America by German immigrants about 1700. Christmas trees became popular among the general U.S. population about 1850.
Origins of the Christmas Tree:
Pagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23; most often, it is DEC-21. As the solstice approached, they noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.
Not having evergreen trees, the ancient Egyptians considered the palm tree to symbolize resurrection. They decorated their homes with its branches during the winter solstice.
"The first decorating of an evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and their worship of their god Adonia, who allegedly was brought back to life by the serpent Aessulapius after having been slain."
The ancient Pagan Romans decorated their "trees with bits of metal and replicas of their god, Bacchus [a fertility god]. They also placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun god" Their mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on DEC-17 and often lasted until a few days after the Solstice.
In Northern Europe, the ancient Germanic people tied fruit and attached candles to evergreen tree branches, in honor of their god Woden. Trees were viewed as symbolizing eternal life. This is the deity after which Wednesday was named. The trees joined holly, mistletoe, the wassail bowl and the Yule log as symbols of the season. All predated Christianity.
I saw that on Wiki too I think that's a whole other thread
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| Posted 12/22/10 11:27 AM |
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KennysMommy
Never knew LOVE like it before
Member since 3/10 2640 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
I work in a VERY Jewish school district on the North Shore of Western Nassau. (Kosher food is served in the cafeteria!)
Most of the students are Jewish (99%), live in this tight knit community, and have little or no understanding of other religions or cultures because they rarely leave their town. Any guesses where I work? LOL Anyway, students constantly ask people if they're Jewish, and when you say no, the look of shock on their face is really amazing. They can't understand how or why everyone ISN'T Jewish.
With that being said, because of this isolation and being 1st or 2nd generation immigrants (many came from Iran in the 80s - any more guesses?) many of them don't seem to have respect others religious beliefs. I actually witnessed 100 kids stand up and "boo" a picture of a church from a slide show about their community they were watching. Then cheered a synagogue. I've heard countless times a group a kids telling other kids that Santa isn't real when the topic comes up. I think that is terrible.
I can only hope that everyone (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc.) teaches kids that there are other religions out there besides their own and just because you don't believe in the same things, doesn't make their religion something to boo about. With that being said, it MUST be hard for those not celebrating Christmas to explain the difference to kids. It's everywhere you go.... 
Me? I'm not religious at all. I believe in Santa and the tooth fairy equally. I love decorating for Christmas and have my tree up the day after Thanksgiving - but I celebrate the magic and beauty of the season! It's a festival of lights for me - Christmas lights, that is! 
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| Posted 12/22/10 2:05 PM |
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sasha96
lovin' my 2 little ladies!
Member since 5/05 7401 total posts
Name:
Julianne
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
I think as long as they know what they believe and celebrate it, that's fine. They should know about other cultures and religions too, especially if it is so close to your family. Participating in the family's secular Christmas celebrations isn't a bad thing, IMO. Your child may want to invite friends/cousins to share in some of yours. The woman I work with is very frum and I'm Catholic. My girls (and I) have and will learn a lot about Judaism from her. We give her gifts wrapped with trees on it and she gives them gifts wrapped with Menorahs on them. My girls get Purim baskets too!
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| Posted 12/22/10 2:21 PM |
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maymama
my little loves
Member since 8/08 18453 total posts
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
just wanted to add - about the Christmas Tree
Growing up, we were taught the the Christmas Tree is a sign of hope and light in an otherwise long, dark, cold winter!
Something green and warm, beautiful and fresh when so much else is cold, dead, dark etc.
I do not see the Christmas Tree as a religious icon
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| Posted 12/22/10 2:24 PM |
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LoveBeingMrsT
Love my Boys!
Member since 12/05 4648 total posts
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by pickles16
Posted by Goldi0218
Im old school as my parents were. In our house we celebrate Chanukah. In "Johnny"'s house, they celebrate Christmas. We believe "X". They believe "Y". Y does not happen in our house but if you wish to celebrate with Johnny, by all means. I want my children knowing about other religions and cultures. They will be told that other children believe in Santa Claus but we do not and I sure as heck will NOT tolerate it if my child were to say that Santa isn't real to a child who DOES.
I am THAT Jew who is fundamentally opposed to having a Christmas tree in my home despite the fact that I am told a tree isnot a symbol of religion. It symbolizes another religion to ME. I will not appease my children by caving and giving them Christmas things. I will also not give them things that are Jewish versions of Christmas things like a gingerbread Chanukah house. If we were an interfaith family, it would be a completely different story. But we aren't. The pageantry(sp?) of Christmas is VERY appealing. I myself enjoy the decorations and smells and even a few Christmas songs here and there and NYC at Christmas time is the best time to go.
For me it is cut and dry. We do this - they do that. Join them if you would like to, but its not what we beleive.
Word for word...my grandfather was a religious Jew and this is how my parents taught me and this is how I plan on teaching our kids
same here too! my ds went to school and told his friends he is Jewish and celebrates Hanukkah! he is the ONLY in his class. i told him he can teach his friends if he wants about Hanukkah and his friends can tell them what they do on their holidays. he is
3 1/2 and is fine with being different. i tell him it is great to be different and to be Jewish is special.
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| Posted 12/22/10 2:44 PM |
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eddiesmommy
best buds!
Member since 5/09 11524 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
RE: the tree, according to Pope John Paul II and the tree in St Peters Square in the Vatican who brough the tree tradition to the Vatican from No. Europe in the 80s as a sign of Christmas Spirit, so while it origins are not Christian, it has been adopted by the Catholic faith th symbolize Christ and God.:
"During his Angelus audience on December 19, Pope John Paul II discussed the rich symbolism of the Christmas season, concentrating on the meaning of the Christmas tree that is now on display in St. Peter's Square.
The Christmas tree, John Paul said, is "an ancient custom that exalts the value of life," because the evergreen tree remains unchanged through the harshness of winter. When gifts are arranged under the tree, the Pope continue, it because a symbol of "the tree of life, a figure of Christ, God's greatest gift to all men."
The Holy Father made a point of saying that the gifts exchanged at Christmas should not be purely material and commercial. The "tree of life," he said, points the way toward an exchange of spiritual goods: of brotherhood and love.
The Pope observed, before making his remarks on the Christmas tree, that the most important symbol of the season is the Christmas crèche, about which he spoke at his previous Sunday public audience. His remarks on these symbols come at a time when the European nations-- particularly Italy and France-- are caught up in debates about the display of Christian symbols in public places. "
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=34135
Message edited 12/22/2010 3:04:54 PM.
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| Posted 12/22/10 2:58 PM |
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LoveBeingMrsT
Love my Boys!
Member since 12/05 4648 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by KennysMommy
I work in a VERY Jewish school district on the North Shore of Western Nassau. (Kosher food is served in the cafeteria!)
Most of the students are Jewish (99%), live in this tight knit community, and have little or no understanding of other religions or cultures because they rarely leave their town. Any guesses where I work? LOL Anyway, students constantly ask people if they're Jewish, and when you say no, the look of shock on their face is really amazing. They can't understand how or why everyone ISN'T Jewish.
With that being said, because of this isolation and being 1st or 2nd generation immigrants (many came from Iran in the 80s - any more guesses?) many of them don't seem to have respect others religious beliefs. I actually witnessed 100 kids stand up and "boo" a picture of a church from a slide show about their community they were watching. Then cheered a synagogue. I've heard countless times a group a kids telling other kids that Santa isn't real when the topic comes up. I think that is terrible.
I can only hope that everyone (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc.) teaches kids that there are other religions out there besides their own and just because you don't believe in the same things, doesn't make their religion something to boo about. With that being said, it MUST be hard for those not celebrating Christmas to explain the difference to kids. It's everywhere you go....
Me? I'm not religious at all. I believe in Santa and the tooth fairy equally. I love decorating for Christmas and have my tree up the day after Thanksgiving - but I celebrate the magic and beauty of the season! It's a festival of lights for me - Christmas lights, that is!
i think in any tight small community that is mainly one religion children do not know about other faiths much. and while i do not agree at all with booing a church i think it needs to be said that as a Jewish people we are almost always persocuted, looked down on or over looked, and in the minority as a whole.
my son had santa in his class giving him presents yesterday, sang xmas songs in his show, watched a xmas movie in his secular prek today. most people even though i say i celebrate Hanukkah only will still wish me merry xmas and ask if i celebrate it. it is usually 1 sided in society and as a Jew you need to teach your children pride in being different and that some times may come out of kids in a wrong way to make another religion a negative thing while lifting their religion up.
jmho
Message edited 12/22/2010 3:06:54 PM.
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| Posted 12/22/10 3:03 PM |
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Ian&EmmesMommy23
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Member since 11/08 12970 total posts
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Diana
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by LoveBeingMrsT
i think in any tight small community that is mainly one religion children do not know about other faiths much. and while i do not agree at all with booing a church i think it needs to be said that as a Jewish people we are almost always persocuted, looked down on or over looked, and in the minority as a whole.
my son had santa in his class giving him presents yesterday, sang xmas songs in his show, watched a xmas movie in his secular prek today. most people even though i say i celebrate Hanukkah only will still wish me merry xmas and ask if i celebrate it. it is usually 1 sided in society and as a Jew you need to teach your children pride in being different and that some times may come out of kids in a wrong way to make another religion a negative thing while lifting their religion up.
jmho
100% agree. its come to everytime someone wishes me a merry christmas i reply happy hanukkah. i appreciate more when people send me a happy holidays card instead of merry christmas. or if its pre-printed they cross out christmas and write hanukkah. not to generalize, but so many people just assume everyone celebrates christmas.
i am definitely going to teach DS about all holidays but i want him to know he is Jewish and to be proud. it took me a long time. and I come from a family where my father is the son of holocaust survivors.
i know this thread is taking a turn, but i really appreciate all these replies. i feel like i keep defending my feelings about the topic. i am in NO way a religious person...my extent is fasting on yom kippor. but its nice to know other people agree. 
oh and...Happy Holidays! 
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| Posted 12/22/10 3:16 PM |
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LoveBeingMrsT
Love my Boys!
Member since 12/05 4648 total posts
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
Posted by QTDimps23
Posted by LoveBeingMrsT
i think in any tight small community that is mainly one religion children do not know about other faiths much. and while i do not agree at all with booing a church i think it needs to be said that as a Jewish people we are almost always persocuted, looked down on or over looked, and in the minority as a whole.
my son had santa in his class giving him presents yesterday, sang xmas songs in his show, watched a xmas movie in his secular prek today. most people even though i say i celebrate Hanukkah only will still wish me merry xmas and ask if i celebrate it. it is usually 1 sided in society and as a Jew you need to teach your children pride in being different and that some times may come out of kids in a wrong way to make another religion a negative thing while lifting their religion up.
jmho
100% agree. its come to everytime someone wishes me a merry christmas i reply happy hanukkah. i appreciate more when people send me a happy holidays card instead of merry christmas. or if its pre-printed they cross out christmas and write hanukkah. not to generalize, but so many people just assume everyone celebrates christmas.
i am definitely going to teach DS about all holidays but i want him to know he is Jewish and to be proud. it took me a long time. and I come from a family where my father is the son of holocaust survivors.
i know this thread is taking a turn, but i really appreciate all these replies. i feel like i keep defending my feelings about the topic. i am in NO way a religious person...my extent is fasting on yom kippor. but its nice to know other people agree.
oh and...Happy Holidays!
i actually purposely get a hanukkah card to "represent". i ALWAYS write merry xmas on it for those that don't celebrate hanukkah though. BUT i've never gotten a xmas card where they hand wrote happy hanukkah to us.
Message edited 12/22/2010 3:30:45 PM.
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| Posted 12/22/10 3:30 PM |
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BigB
C & J are 10!
Member since 6/05 5914 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: Teaching your Jewish kids about Christmas?
I am VERY sensitive to this issue and because of that, I have two cards printed up. And before I had children, I had Hanukah cards for my Jewish friends. However, growing up, even though I went to Catholic school, we had so many friends who were Jewish so my parents did the same. Almost all of my father's work colleagues were Jewish. It made for a very interesting funeral! But, we all sure learned a lot!
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| Posted 12/22/10 4:01 PM |
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