tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post113332656964437727..comments2024-03-20T12:03:15.567-05:00Comments on Arem Arvinson Log: Second Grade and Second ClassRalph Murrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02094202815537604157noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155612.post-1134844763614875252005-12-17T12:39:00.000-06:002005-12-17T12:39:00.000-06:00As an actual Jew, I read with interest.....my own ...As an actual Jew, I read with interest.....my own family, as giving to others a bunch as I have ever known......I never knew we were thought to be tightwads,until I heard it later. but still the shame sticks. <BR/>My parents even humored me when I left cookies and milk at age 9, near our fireplace on Christmas eve, in the hopes that it might lure Santa Claus into a navagational error. A mistake like the angel of death might have made regarding the occasional unmarked doorjamb at the first Passover.<BR/>I think I was in first grade, when Becky from the neighborhood, who went to Parochial school, informed me that she couldn't play with me because the Jews killed Christ. The Loose's accross the street followed suit, after I informed their children that there was no Santa Claus, but that eventually blew over. I didn't know it was up to me to perpetuate the myth.<BR/>I read of late with interest that there is a war on Christmas, and I'd like to inform anyone to whom I may be an unwitting adversary, that I think our side already lost. <BR/>On Tuesday, at 9:10, I will go once again to the Public school and listen to my child sing Christmas carols, and watch the satisfied faces of the other parents, who have no idea that I am miserable. Iwill once again explain to my child that Santa will not come to our house, even if he is coming to town, and that I am sorry for the disappointment. I refuse to assimilate, just to make her happy. Even more insulting is the token inclusion of a book on Chanukkah,or the one dumb song, or inviting me to speak about it, as the spokesperson to cover up for all the disenfrachised. Chanukkah is a pretty minor holiday, on the Jewish lineup, and in fact noone ever notices us at Rosh Hashana , YOm Kippur, or Passover....because the Christmas thing is nearer to that holiday. In fact Chanukkah ironically is a celebration of not assimilating into the Greek Culture, that was the prevalent, and the majority. <BR/>Doesn't matter to me whether it is a holiday tree or a Christmas tree, neither one is actually my tradition. If I decide to have one myself on a given year, when I get caught up, and succumb to my natural tendancy toward tolerance, that is just one more waffled stance, and I am the better for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com