spotlight

'Tis The
Seasor

I

t's December. The community
around us is filled with signs of
the "season." For the 78 percent of
Americans who identify as Christian,
this season likely has different meanings
than for the 22 percent who do not.
According to the recent Pew
about diversity. Our own community is
Religious Landscape survey, of the
diverse as interfaith families often have
22 percent of Americans who do not
multiple holiday celebrations at this
identify as Christian but do identify as
time of year.
religious, Jews form the largest group
Many of the people I talked with told
at 1.7 percent, followed
me how much they enjoy the
by Buddhist, Muslim and
holiday season. People spoke
Hindu religions at .7 percent,
in many ways about this as
.6 percent and .5 percent,
the season of giving.
respectively.
"It is a time of year
At this time of year, the
when we pay attention to
secular media is filled with
the people in our lives. We
references to the season;
appreciate them:' said a dad
whether it be tips on how
of three young children. "We
to survive it, ideas for de-
buy gifts for our children at
materializing it, strategies for
Chanukah, and it forces me
strengthening families dur-
to think about each of my
Ell en
ing it, not gaining 10 pounds
kids and what they might
Yash insky
as a result of it and not blow-
like
Ch ute
ing your budget on it ... just
He talked about small gifts
to name a few.
of recognition for the person
So where does that leave us, the 1.7
who delivers the mail and for the person
percent?
who cuts his hair. Others see this as a
As Jews today, we live our lives with
time to be a part of the larger communi-
non-Jews. Like no other time in history,
ty. I heard many responses about doing
we intermingle with the secular com-
mitzvahs for others at this time of year.
munity; it is unavoidable. Even if we live
Our JFS Adopt-a-Family program
in neighborhoods that are 50 percent
is the perfect example of this. Parents
Jewish, there is still the other 50 percent. take their children shopping for gifts for
I decided that I was going to do some other families who are less fortunate.
investigating and so I asked some people These are wonderful and important
the question, "How is the Christmas
lessons about the joys of giving and
season for you?"
receiving. I spoke to a physician who
As you can imagine, the answers
said that his holiday tradition is to be
were varied, but most people referenced
"on call" during Christmas so that his
colleague can celebrate the holiday with
specific rituals that they have created
her family.
during this time of year, whether it be a
family vacation, a Chanukah celebration
As we approach the winter solstice
or a family car trip to see a beautiful
during the darkest days of the year,
light display.
we celebrate Chanukah, the Festival
For some, it is the season to give back; of Lights. As Rabbi Rachel Shere of
and for others, it is the season to relax.
Adat Shalom Synagogue said to me,
After all, is there another day of the year "We share this time of year with other
when you really can't go to the mall?
faiths to bring light to the world. We put
For many Jews, Christmas Day is forced
menorahs in our windows. We light the
relaxation!
darkness:'
In some ways, this season reminds us
This season reminds us of life's
that we are different. Casual greetings of brightness, of people's generosity and,
"Merry Christmas" or store clerks ask-
that as humanity, we are one. We have
ing children what they would like from
differing beliefs and customs, but we
Santa Claus make broad assumptions
can all find joy and connection at this
based on the beliefs of the majority.
time of year.
What may seem an innocent gesture to
Ellen Yashinsky Chute is the chief communi-
some may feel isolating and offensive to
ty outreach officer at Jewish Family Service
others. And what may feel isolating to
of Metropolitan Detroit.
some may offer others a chance to talk

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December 18 • 2014

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