slo’s 10/18 WEDNESDAY poll - Hanukkah 12/25/2024

[Dan Murphy]

*Many people get annoyed that saying Merry Christmas to others is something that often gets frowned upon. Personally, I understand the reason why - we don’t know if somebody celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or doesn’t celebrate any holiday. I wish Merry Christmas to those, that I know for an absolute fact, is celebrating Christmas. If a stranger has on a Christmas sweatshirt, then I’m pretty certain that they’re going be celebrating Christmas. There’s nothing wrong with saying happy holidays to people because then it covers everybody

Amen.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I’m in NY and have lots of Jewish friends, neighbors, and colleagues who celebrate. If you drive through my neighborhood, mixed in with the Christmas lights and decorations, you will see some homes with menorahs in the window and some with blue and white lights.

BTW, within the Jewish faith, Hanukkah is considered a relatively minor holiday. Other holidays like Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Passover are more significant, but because it falls close to Christmas on the calendar, Hanukkah has been made into a bigger celebration.

For years we celebrated 'Hanamas' together.

I know interfaith families who refer to it as Chrismukkah.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I am Jewish and I do celebrate Hanukkah (or Chanukah depending on which spelling you use).

My mom is Jewish, but my dad grew up Christian (Protestant, I believe). He never converted, but I was raised Jewish...went through Sunday school, Hebrew school, Bat Mitzvah process, etc. We were Reformed, so not as observant as Orthodox, Conservative or Hasidic Jews. I grew up in NJ and we always had off for the first day of Rosh Hashanah as well as Yom Kippur (if they fell on weekdays). I think we also got these off in college. I believe my university was about 45-47% Jewish at the time.

My husband grew up in a Christian household, but was not very religious. He has never converted to Judaism, but he'll follow along when we do things involved in the faith. I will admit that we're not a very observant group at this point, but I do things for the holidays. Hanukkah is more of a minor holiday, but I do have latke night, I have a little Hanukkah nook with all of my decorations, and I'm big on lights (because I was never allowed this in our house as a child) so I have a lot of decorations all over that celebrate light. I will also blend in elements of Christmas as it's what my dad's family had and DH grew up with it as well.

I also don't care if you wish me Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays or some combo of it. I appreciate the gesture regardless of what you say.

 

[NYCgrrl]

For what it’s worth, at least 4 religions celebrate a holiday in/around December and adherents for all can be found in my region. Easy for me to say “Happy Holidays” without guessing.

 

[CynBeth]

Thank you so much for this thread. I am Jewish! My DH is Catholic so we always celebrate each other’s holidays all year long not just Chanukah and Christmas. We don’t have any kids but buy the dog a few toys and treats for both of these.

 

[tvguy]

I voted other. I certainly know many who celebrate Chanukah (although I think they all use the Hanukkah spelling.).
But the surprise in my Ancestry DNA test is that I am 25% Jewish. My paternal Grandfather was Jewish, but he died in 1921 and that part of the family history was not passed on. He apparently did not practice any religion.

 

[BayouQueen]

My experience is like that of @leebee -- many, many Jewish families in our neighborhood growing up. I'm Lutheran. My three best lifetime friends are Jewish and I was engaged for a time to a Jewish young man. DSIL is Jewish, so we celebrate Hanukkah now with him. Lots of familiarity and enjoyment of Jewish customs and celebrations.

 

[Kitty 34]

It’s early, but I’m kind of shocked by the number of people that don’t know anyone that celebrates Hanukkah. No Jewish friends? I’m in the northeast so maybe the rest of the country doesn’t have many Jewish families. Just something I’ve never thought about….

I was a nanny for a Jewish family my freshmen year at Concordia Teachers College (Lutheran) in River Forest, IL........very special people but so long ago.

Also, my gfs and I would serve holiday meals at various Jewish families in the area. I learned a lot from doing that if that counts for anything.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The Jewish Community Center where I live has a really good, reasonably priced summer kids program. You have to be a member, but you do not need to be Jewish. Being a member allows you to use the pool and fitness center, and also allows you to book other spaces for kids parties. We took advantage, and it wasn't long before everyone just assumed we were Jewish. Lovely people, every last one of them - but we are not Jewish.

 

[Rogue1677x]

Someone who was one of my closest friends from high school is Jewish and she taught my daughter about Hanukkah and the traditions surrounding it.

 

[Toolulu22]

It’s early, but I’m kind of shocked by the number of people that don’t know anyone that celebrates Hanukkah. No Jewish friends? I’m in the northeast so maybe the rest of the country doesn’t have many Jewish families. Just something I’ve never thought about….

I am on Long Island and have a similar frame of mind, with numerous friends and colleagues who are Jewish. Other beliefs as well. Just today one of my students, whose BD is 12/24 told me that he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, but Kwanza. I also have Muslim friends and students. I also got into the habit of wishing people a happy holidays, happy break, New Year etc. I decorate my classroom with Christmas and Holiday decorations.

In the past, maybe once or twice, someone has commented that “what you can’t say Merry Christmas”. Knowing they are looking for an argument I commented “If that is what you celebrate then Merry Christmas to you”. No reason to explain yourself or engage with them other than the simple phrase.

We have traveled to probably 2/3s of the States and noticed the Northeast is definitely as diverse as it gets as far as the States goes (plus, California). It’s one thing I love about living here.

 

[MamaMermaid]

We live in South Florida where there's large Jewish population. We don't celebrate Hanukkah but have many friends that do!

 

[mamamary]

My daughter’s father in law is Jewish. He usually has a get together for Hanukkah. That is pretty much all he does to celebrate. They are celebrating in about a week or two.

 

[Deb]

It’s early, but I’m kind of shocked by the number of people that don’t know anyone that celebrates Hanukkah. No Jewish friends? I’m in the northeast so maybe the rest of the country doesn’t have many Jewish families. Just something I’ve never thought about….

same

 

[prairie_girl]

My youngest brother married a girl who is Jewish. They come home every Christmas and we’ve integrated Hanukkah into our celebrations.