Page 2-THE NEWS-Pecember 1993
c
Guest Editorial
])
The Holiday Season is Here Again —
Answering Chanukah and Christmas Questions
By Rabbi Jim Bennett, Temple Beth El
It is that time of year again, and we find ourselves besieged
by questions, comparisons and concerns about Chanukah and
Christmas. Here are some familiar questions that come up
again and again, the answers to which bear repeating.
Is Chanukah the Jewish Christmas*? Nothing could be
further from the truth, Christmas is a Christian holiday which
celebrates the birth of Jesus who is believed by Christians
to be the messiah. Chanukah is a Jewish holiday which
celebrates an ancient victory of the Jews against an enemy,
and reminds us to value religious freedom and to fight
assimilation. Observing Chanukah by assimilating into
Christian tradition is a contradiction in terms. Jews ought
to celebrate Chanukah by rejoicing in our freedom and
refusing to assimilate.
Is the story of the miracle of Chanukah true? There is
no certainty about such things, yet many scholars suggest
that the story of the miracle of Chanukah, introduced as
a midrash, or interpretation, is a part of the folklore of our
people. The historical story of Chanukah is found in the book
of Maccabees, and makes no reference to the miracle of the
oil that lasted for eight days. While there are many Jews
who do believe that the miracle truly did occur, most historians
suggest that the actual story of Chanukah was far more of
a military victory and the rededication of the Temple by the
Jewish zealots. The rabbis later added the story of the miracle,
which has come down to us today as a part of the oral tradition
of our people.
Don't Chanukah and Christmas both share their origins
in the observance of the winter solstice? Ancient peoples of
all faiths, and particularly the pagans who predated Jews
and Christians, were very concerned with the events around
them in nature. The winter solstice, the shortest day and
longest night of the year, always awakened in people the
fear that day and the sun were disappearing and night would
prevail. The ancients turned to fire and candles and song
and celebration to entice the sun to return. Anthropologists
of religion suspect that both Chanukah and Christmas had
their earliest origins in such observances of the solstice as
well. It was probably common in both communities to
recognize this cosmic event, and both religions found ways
within their own tradition to incorporate the solstice into
the appropriate holiday.
How can inter faith families resolve the so-called “Chanuk-
ah-Chrlstmas Dilemma’'? This is one of the most difficult
and troubling issues many interfaith families face. After all,
Christmas is not only one of the central observances of
Christianity, but also a part of the popular culture of our
nation today. How can a Jewish-Christian interfaith family
resolve the issues? Only with mutual respect, understanding
and joy can we respond to this challenge. Each faith must
be proud and unique. The Jewish partner in an interfaith
setting must be willing to make Chanukah a proud and joyous
Jewish observance. We must not blend Christmas into our
holiday, but rather make Chanukah our unique time to teach
others of our pride and religious freedom. Likewise, Jews
ought not be afraid to share the joy of Christmas with their
Christian family members or friends. We can celebrate with
our Christian dear ones without adopting their religion. We
can teach our Jewish children tolerance and respect for others
without fear that they will be lost. But we can do so only
if we have first given them the firm rootedness in their own
Jewish faith they so desperately need.
The message of Chanukah is the importance of religious
freedom, the fight against assimilation, and the need to bring
warmth, light and togetherness at the coldest, darkest and
loneliest time of year.
The message of Christmas is the birth of Christianity, the
importance of love and unity and faith, and the need to bring
warmth, light and togetherness at the coldest, darkest and
loneliest time of year.
Each holiday has a special uniqueness for those Jews or
Christians who hold it dear, and who maintain these ultimate
purposes. May we learn from each other without fearing each
other, celebrate each other without giving up our own faith,
and enter this holiday season with the common joy both
holidays bring.
Deadline for Jan. issue is Dec. 5
Deadline for Feb. Issue is Jan. 10
Any articles submitted after deadline
win not be accepted
From
The Director’s Desk
Daniel Z. Lepow
While many feel that conduct
ing an annual fund drive is
difficult, the allocations process
is equally challenging. Meg
Goldstein, chair of this year’s
Allocation Committee, along
with Shelton Gorelick, Federa
tion president, were painstaking
ly careful to be sure that the
committee was representative of
the community and that each
organization had an equal op
portunity to make its case.
It’s regretful that more people
didn’t have the opportunity to
hear about the many important
tasks being carried out by our
Jewish organizations. The needs
of our community are great and
it’s reassuring that the people
and agencies are out there to
help. I’m sorry we couldn’t grant
every dollar that was requested.
However, I encourage dl who
read this column to take the time
to find out who these agencies
are that are working on our
behalf. I am certainly available
to discuss the role of the Jewish
Federation at meetings or
groups as requested.
The week following the Allo
cations hearings, I personally
experienced what had been
discussed. With dollars donated
by the Gorelick families and the
coordination between Temple
Israel, the Speizman Library,
Hadassah and the Jewish Fed
eration, I along with many
others enjoyed the lectures of
Dennis Prager.
I visited the Blumenthal Jew
ish Home to meet with their
Development Officer, Bruce
Schlosberg. ^ruce took me on
a tour of the facility and while
I was impressed by the physical
plant, I was especially taken by
the warmth of the staff. The care
and concern for the residents
were unmistakable.
At the end of the week I
watched our youth compete on
the JCC’s soccer team. Darren
Mond took from his time to help
our kids enjoy the sport and each
other. While I enjoyed the game
I also appreciated the camara
derie of the parents all rooting
for all our kids.
We work very hard to raise
the dollars to help our commu
nity center, family services,
educational programs, services
to seniors as well as meeting our
obligations in Israel. Allocating
the total raised to the agencies
which clearly need more than
what is available is frustrating.
However, when I have the op
portunity to learn from visiting
scholars, appreciate how we care
for our Seniors, and encourage
our youth, it all seems to be
worthwhile.
We need your dollars and we
need your help but most of all
we need you. Please don’t com
plain that all you are asked for
is your contribution. A quality
community takes money and
commitment. Look in your
Temple bulletins for all the
activities that are being offered.
Read The Charlotte Jewish
News and stop by the JCC to
learn of the interesting programs
available. Be a part of the Jewish
community.
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