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Post by hollygail on Dec 22, 2016 23:55:43 GMT -5
What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.
Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy
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Post by hollygail on Dec 22, 2016 23:59:15 GMT -5
I posted a URL shortly before 9pm my time (midnight on the east coast) on the Thursday thread. You may (or may not) be interested. It's called The Kabbalah of Chanukah, and the subtitle is 8 Insights for 8 Nights...
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Post by hollygail on Dec 23, 2016 0:00:22 GMT -5
I’ve been debating (with myself) all week about whether to share this with you or not… As you can see, I finally decided to. It’s written by the rabbi of the Conservative shul where I daven weekday mornings. He’s about to retire from this congregation (he’s been there more than 25 years).
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From the Rabbi’s Desk
Breaking Barriers
Dear Friends:
This year, due to the intricacies of the Jewish calendar, Chanukah begins on Christmas Eve and ends on New Year’s Day. This congruity brings into sharper focus a question that Jews have been asking for many years: “Is Christmas a religious or secular holiday?”
When I was growing up I knew Jews who celebrated Christmas or had Christmas Trees [sic] (or “Chanukah Bushes”) in their homes but for the most part, they were Jews who were trying to escape from or hide their Jewish roots and assimilate. This is no longer true. I am familiar with many Jews today who are members of synagogues, celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays, have deeply committed Jewish families, yet still have Christmas Trees and celebrate Christmas.
Their understanding and celebrations of Christmas is not a religious one. For these families Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus or Christian faith. Rather, it is a celebration of a happy time of year, of warm familiar feelings, and good will toward all. Their understanding of Christmas is in synch with that of a large segment of Americans who also have divorced Christmas from its religious foundation.
At one time I considered whether a family celebrated Christmas as a litmus test of their Jewish commitment. However, after knowing and speaking with many committed Jews who have Christmas trees, I no long do. I understand that they no more see Christmas as a Christian holiday than they do Halloween as the Christianized Celtic pagan holiday of Samhain.
This does not mean, however, that I have made peace with their choices. For me, it is impossible to divorce Christmas from its Christian roots. The holiday still celebrates the birth of the Christian Messiah, the tree represents the cross upon which he was crucified, Santa Claus is Father Christmas or St. Nicholas, and the gifts are representative of the presents given to the baby Jesus. Unlike Halloween, which for the most part has been severed from its religious origins, Christmas is still accompanied by liturgical celebrations in all churches.
It is, perhaps, when I speak with or overhear Torah School [the religious school at his shul] students that my sensitivities and sensibilities are most challenged. What is the proper rabbinic response when you ask kids, “What is your favorite holiday” and they answer “Christmas”? Or you hear them excitedly talking about opening their presents under the Tree? I am no longer sure how to best respond.
I usually ignore the comments about Christmas and instead emphasize the importance of celebrating Jewish life. While I believe that Christmas and Christmas trees don’t belong in Jewish homes, I recognize how complicated this issue is for many families. I don’t want to be critical, yet at the same time I do not want to give these observances my blessing. Thus my ambivalence.
Our congregation is incredibly diverse and I am curious as to your thoughts on such matters. How do you feel about Christmas and those Jews who observe it? Although it may be an uncomfortable discussion, I have decided to hold an open forum on “Is Christmas Now Jewish?” at our next Midrash Shabbat on December 10th. After our “Taste of Shabbat” Learner’s Service at 10:30 a.m., we will enjoy lunch together and create a safe space for all opinions to be expressed and respected. I hope that you will join us.
I wish you and your families a very happy Chanukah and (secular) New Year.
Shalom,
[his name]
- - -
I haven’t asked about the outcome of the December 10 discussions, but I will (if I remember, I’ll do it after minyan this morning) and let you know later what he tells me.
I personally think a Christmas tree has no place in a Jewish home. However, many of my students through the years (and remember, I teach across all the non-Orthodox movements) have one non-Jewish parent, so this Natalie Portman business is not the first time I’ve been confronted with a Christmas tree in a Jewish home.
And here’s one additional point I hope some of us are willing to discuss. Some families dedicate each candle to something (only one example: remembering relatives no longer with us). What’s your take on discussing the following values (or perhaps you’d like to add other values), one per night:
1. Social Justice (Tikkun Olam)
2. Egalitarianism (each person is made in the image of God, b’tzelem elohim)
3. Fighting mysogyny (protecting the advances of previous decades)
4. Combating racism (solidarity with people of color, who, incidentally, are the global majority now)
5. Confronting Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism (both making new allies and standing against intolerance)
6. LGBTQ inclusion (working tirelessly to embrace and include everyone)
7. Embracing immigrants (welcoming the stranger, remembering that we were once the stranger...)
8. Civil and nuanced discourse (upholding democracy and debate as sacred in our tradition)
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lee058
This space for rent
Posts: 23,276 
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Post by lee058 on Dec 23, 2016 8:51:40 GMT -5
Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well today. I have another busy day ahead of me, but not quite as packed as yesterday, thank goodness. Everything is fine, and I am full of coffee, so hopefully I will be able to do what I want to do!
Re today's topic: I personally have never had and never will have a Christmas tree in my home. I just don't think it is appropriate. On the other hand, I have one cousin who has a tree and does not see it as inappropriate for a Jewish home. She sees it (as far as I can tell) as decorative for the season.
When I was tutoring some Russian Jews many years ago, I found out to my surprise that in Russia apparently the custom was for everyone to have a tree. When they came to this country, they were very surprised to learn that here it was considered a Christian custom.
As for dedicating each candle to a particular value or discussion topic, I think it's overthinking the holiday. Sure, the values listed are appropriate to Judaism, but I wouldn't tack them onto Chanukah. They should definitely be discussed as they are important; I just think there's plenty of things to discuss already.
I'll be back later if I have time. Have a peaceful day, Lee
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Post by savtele on Dec 23, 2016 10:49:48 GMT -5
Boker Tov All! Interesting thoughts, Holly!
I realize that over the years, Christmas has become secularized - from what was the holiest of holy days (HHD for Christians?) to a winter-festival of family & good will, charitable giving & concert-going. Considering that we have just passed the shortest day of the year, and the winter doldrums have not quite set in yet, it seems appropriate. That being said - I don't have a christmas tree. Nor will I. I do have a forest full of lovely firs, holly-berries, red osier dogwoods (the new growth twigs are bright red) - so the traditional decorations are all growing right outside my door! Last week's snow has fallen off the branches, but we'll get more, no doubt.
Many of the "discussions" at our house over the years have included why we don't have a christmas tree & who called dibs on the last latka. I'm really not willing to take the discussions deeper than that at this time. It's 1 thing when the HS/college kids are all over & someone wants to go deep into some political talk - but mostly we are just enjoying each others' company.
I'm heading to the pool. We've made a holiday basket for the taeqwondo instructor - he was a Marine, stationed on Guam - his favorite meat is Spam! So - Spam, Velveeta cheese & macaroni noodles - a nice gift basket full, LOL!
Shabbat Shalom! Chag Sameach!
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Post by louise on Dec 23, 2016 12:05:19 GMT -5
While I think you have chosen topics well, Holly, I too wouldn't want to layer any more onto Hanukkah. It's already for some too big of a deal.
Last night on the way home I stopped in a supermarket and bought some things with my debit card. I then left my entire case of cards on the counter. When I got home - bus took crazy long because of the traffic - there was an email and phone call from my bank telling me to call the supermarket! Someone there had seen the cards, looked for me on Facebook (no, I'm not there) and then called my cards and my bank! How about that?! I canceled the credit cards anyway but when I picked everything up this morning I gave the person a little holiday present. Nice holiday story?!
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Post by gazelle18 on Dec 23, 2016 15:37:12 GMT -5
No time to say anything meaningful. I am getting ready for my son, DDIL, and their 4 children to come in for a five day visit! Should be fun but exhausting!
Shabbat shalom to all, and happy Hanukkah as well! Thanks for a great week, Holly.
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