Notes from the Lampert Library
Walking to Hebrew School on December afternoons, I’d peer into living room windows lining the several blocks to the synagogue. The houses were close to the sidewalk with no big rolling lawns to shield the windows from passersby. Families inside proudly showed off the towering Christmas trees with their glittering ornaments and twinkling lights.
My family never even considered having a tree nor did we get elaborate gifts for Hanukkah. However, in school we always had an annual Christmas program; everyone made Santas with cotton balls; we created simple gifts for our families.
Times have changed. Most schools try to be neutral on the December holidays. The December Christmas concert has given way to the January winter concert. There may be a holiday party but there will be probably be no Christmas tree nor will Santa visit the classrooms. Non-Christian children are less marginalized while, I am sure, those who celebrate Christmas may feel that they have lost something.
While we Jews might not participate in Christmas celebration, there is one part of the Christmas tradition that we can all participate in…giving. We can give greetings to our Christian friends and neighbors. We can share in but not adopt their customs as my family does today: one must admit that a Christmas tree can be beautiful and fun to decorate. Of course, we reciprocate appropriately. We can give back to our own communities by sharing our resources of time by volunteering at a hospital or nursing home to relieve someone who celebrates Christmas. We can donate gifts to those less fortunate than ourselves. We can, of course, always give money.
In that spirit, each year Shomrei through The Interfaith Hospitality Network hosts several families during Christmas week when our religious and preschool classrooms are empty and local churches are very busy. We’ll set up Christmas trees, cook Christmas dinner for those who have no families to visit, and try to make Christmas week festive for those who celebrate.
The feeling is great…legitimately warm and fuzzy.
So this year, get some holiday spirit and be generous with your resources for the benefit of others.
Here are books available in the Lampert Library, as well as, the public library that show the true Christmas- holiday-human- spirit.
Cohn, The Christmas Menorahs: how a town fought hate. The book is based on true events in Billings, Montana where the town joined together to support the small Jewish community after a rock is thrown through the window of a Jewish home.
Cohen, The Christmas Revolution. Simeon and Emily, two Jewish fourth graders, stage their own “Christmas Revolution.” Their stand helps their classmates learn about Hanukkah in this warmly told story.
Polacco, The Trees of the Dancing Goats. A Jewish family joins together to make Christmas for a Christian family felled by illness. Beautiful pictures enhance the story.
Sussman, There’s no Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein. This short novel draws a distinction between sharing the Christmas holiday and observing it. A television adaptation of the book won an Emmy award in 1998.
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