Being Jewish During Christmastime
12/21/2023 12:03:50 PM
It’s beginning to look a lot like that time of year when Jews start to feel a little left out… Whether it’s your kid’s classroom “holiday party,” or the constant Christmas songs playing in every single store, or even just the decorations on every window, we are continuously reminded that Christmas will be here very soon.
Like many of you, I celebrated the traditional Jewish Christmas with a trip to the movie theater and then Chinese food at our favorite restaurant, Wah Kee. As we got older, we noticed more and more people coming to the movie theater, and Wah Kee was suddenly so busy, we had to wait forever to get a table.
It’s been interesting watching the evolution of Christmas over the years. It seems like many other families (in particular non-Jewish families) picked up on the joy of the movie theater and Chinese food. For my family, it was a day to be together, to enjoy something fun when we weren’t otherwise occupied, to go out in public and “celebrate” Christmas without actually celebrating the holiday.
Today, I am learning what it means to parent a kid in public school during this time of year. During the last few weeks, many of the homework packets and worksheets were Christmas themed. The 12 days leading up to Winter Break included several opportunities to dress in Christmas attire. The first grade classes held a holiday party, but the teacher only referred to it as a Christmas party (even though our wonderful room parent sent the email to the parents explicitly stating that it was a holiday party).
I did have the wonderful chance to visit with the whole first grade at my daughter’s school and teach them about Chanukah and the students were shockingly knowledgeable! I also participated in a multi-faith panel about Jerusalem at a local middle school (which was very fun), and when one of the priests present asked the group (the entire 6th grade) to raise their hand if they celebrate Christmas, all but 3-5 kids shot their hand straight into the air.
It's evident that those of us who celebrate holidays other than Christmas are still very much in the minority. It’s obviously been this way for what seems like forever. And, I am also extremely aware that many of our families also celebrate Christmas, whether it’s because of family traditions, being part of an interfaith family, or because it’s fun. Whatever your reason may be, I hope your celebration this year is wonderful!
I also know that it can feel a little lonely at this time of year, especially when so much of our society emphasizes a holiday that many people within our community do not celebrate. But, at a time of year that joy is meant to abound, when people are filled with smiles and holiday cheer, we can feel that same spirit. We may not have trees or lights or eggnog or songs playing on repeat in each store, but we can smile and laugh and appreciate the joy in the air. And, if nothing else, we can enjoy a movie and some delicious Chinese food.
However you celebrate during this time of year, may it be filled with the love of family and friends, lights that drive out darkness, and enough joy that your cup is overflowing.
