Ted Belman
I grew up in small town Ontario. Jews in my town of 14000 numbered perhaps 20 families. I remember Christmases past with mixed feelings. First of all there was too much Christmas music to my liking. One couldn’t get away from it.
On the other hand I liked the Christmas spirit and the lights and the excitment as all Christians shopped for their presents. And yes, even the Christmas music to a degree. One couldn’t help feeling goodwill toward men at such a time. And Christmas eve we got to have the movie theaters all to ourselves.
So in that spirit I wish you a merry Christmas.
As it happens Michael Rosen begs to differ regarding the music but he likes Christmas for the same reasons I do.
Why This Orthodox Jew Loves Christmas Music
Truth be told I thought the music was beautiful too.
Yes thats right Ted. For example on this thread I am not being notified of comments. Thats why it took me so long to respond. Sorry about that. It just started happening again sometime yesterday for any new threads I have commented on. And each time I comment I have to tick off the little box again. Does that make sense?
Mer. I don’t know what you mean in your mayday. Are you saying that you ask to benotified when someone replies and your are being notified?
Arnold Harris. I think your right.
rongrand. That may be true where you live but that has not been my experience.
Ted. Mayday. Mayday. I am not receiving replies to comments again.
Mer says
Not true Mer, as you know I grew up in a mixed community in Pennsylvania and attended the Catholic School system.
We had a large Jewish population who we shared our lives with and had one thing in common, we had respect for one another, joining one another in our religious celebrations.
Our Catholic school was a block from the Jewish Community Center and there were times when our nuns called on the center for assistance and were met with a quick response.
Bottom line, I guess although we had different religious beliefs, we knew we were all children of G-d/God and acted as such.
Well, Mer,
I think the really religious ones among us would say that all along, you had been a Jew who finally came out of the closet.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
I grew up and still live in one of the Canadian cities. I grew up in a Jewish neighbourhood where I live today. My neighbourhood has a mixed blend. You will see kosher foods in the grocery stores, Christmas flare is everywhere. But at this time people do behave strangely around Jews. They are so afraid that the Jews will take Christmas away from them. So I find I have to go the extra mile. When I announced I was converting to Judaism it was treated as tho I was a gay announcing that I was coming out of the closet. So they find it strange when I wish them a Merry Christmas and I do.