Christmas and Chanukah
Two takes on multiculturalism and December holidays,
both written by liberal Jews, with rather different stances:
one
from JBCs (Jews by Choice) and
one
from the Velveteen Rabbi. I myself tend more toward
the former; when we try to combine holidays
with the goal of better interfaith relations, I think we weaken
both. Christmas is the second most important day on the
Christian calendar; it should be important and solemn
for those who believe, and not be treated as somehow equivalent
to a minor Jewish holiday commemorating, of all things, a
victory over assimilation. (Think about that irony for a
minute.) If I find myself in the midst of
Christian affirmation, which to me includes everything from
a mass down to singing Handel's Messiah, they should do their
thing and I should withdraw [1]. We shouldn't have to compromise
on "Frosty the Snowman" or a theme of light in the
darkest days of winter.
Cross-religion education is a good thing, and I think most people would welcome serious inquiries from people of different faiths if they want to know more (or even attend services or other rituals). I've certainly participated on both sides of that and seen no problems. But I think we should remember that our religions are separate; they have different emphases and that's ok. We don't have to agree, and we don't have to try to build a lowest common denominator.
To my Christian friends, I wish you the best in your season of holiness now under way, as I know you wish similar things for me during the high holy days and at other times. I'm not offended by your observance of your religion; you don't need to water it down. Besides, the dreidel song is really insipid; please don't feel obligated on my account.
(Mind, I would have a different reaction to celebrations in a setting that's supposed to be neutral, like a public school or a place of (secular) employment. But that's not what I'm talking about here.)
[1] Some do not see a problem with things like singing Messiah. We all draw the "worship" line in different places.
Cross-religion education is a good thing, and I think most people would welcome serious inquiries from people of different faiths if they want to know more (or even attend services or other rituals). I've certainly participated on both sides of that and seen no problems. But I think we should remember that our religions are separate; they have different emphases and that's ok. We don't have to agree, and we don't have to try to build a lowest common denominator.
To my Christian friends, I wish you the best in your season of holiness now under way, as I know you wish similar things for me during the high holy days and at other times. I'm not offended by your observance of your religion; you don't need to water it down. Besides, the dreidel song is really insipid; please don't feel obligated on my account.
(Mind, I would have a different reaction to celebrations in a setting that's supposed to be neutral, like a public school or a place of (secular) employment. But that's not what I'm talking about here.)
[1] Some do not see a problem with things like singing Messiah. We all draw the "worship" line in different places.