High Holy Days -- Take One
The question has already been brought our attention by readers:
Why did (pick one A-the school district; B-the office; C-the candidate; D-the neighbors) schedule that event on a day when so many people will be (pick another one: A-at church; B-at temple; C-at home celebrating with their families; D-enjoying a day to themselves)?
It happened a week ago on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It happened on Sept. 23 with the celebration of Rosh Hashana and the beginning of Ramadan. It will happen during the December "Holiday Season," when countless business, social and business/social obligations will be scheduled at days and times when many people would rather be celebrating with their families.
How do you schedule without giving offense? Why would you even think that "giving offense" enters into the equation when you receive an invitation? But that's what happened when Sycamore School District scheduled the Sept. 23 dedication of a new athletic facility.
Every year we hear from people angry because they feel compelled to substitute "Season's Greetings" for "Merry Christmas," and demand to know where some people think they get off by putting Kwanzaa between Christmas and New Year's.
I'm always puzzled by people who twist celebrations into insults. If somebody wishes me a Happy Chanukah I'm happy to take it. I certainly don't worry about offending somebody by wishing them a Merry Christmas, and while I never heard of Kwanzaa when I was a kid, I think people gathering to celebrate and reflect as a community is a fine idea and it's a tradition I'd be happy to embrace.
My wife's family is full of traditions and has a saying about "State Days and Bonfire Nights." Those are the times you dress up and put out the good china. They're the celebrations you invite friends to. That's the way all holidays should be viewed -- a time to share and celebrate. If you don't understand what the celebration is about, ask. If a day has meaning to you, accept that tradition and don't be shy (or rude) about explaining why you're skipping out on what somebody else has planned. Celebrations are meant to be enjoyed, not debated.
posted by David Wells at 5:20 PM
1 Comments:
at 5:24 PM, October 09, 2006 
Anonymous said...
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Post a Comment*Your article really hit home with me. My kids attended Sycamore schools and I know the date for the dedication of the stadium could have been changed if the school board really cared. I feel they chose to "play dumb" like it was an oversight. The Jewish Federation puts out a Jewish calendar years in advance and it isn't hard to get that calendar. Sycamore chose to have the dedication in spite of the fact that 20% of the district is Jewish. It is a shame that people do not respect minorities and their traditions or even try to understand them. There are always conflicts with work and school during the High Holidays. Someitmes it is very hard and I become somewhat frustration. I work with a woman who was offended that someone wished her Happy Mothers Day. She has no children and was angry that someone just assumed that she had. I told her that is kind of like everyone wishing you Merry Christmas when you are Jewish. At first she said that was different and realized it really isn't. The key here is to be respectful and even ask or try to understand the traditions of others instead of ignoring them.
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