#decemberdilemma

[godcasting]

Do you struggle with the December Dilemma in your home? We created this video with InterfaithFamily.com as sometimes when it comes to religion, people feel strongly about what to say no to, but are less sure what to say yes to. (via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyR3miAY3rM)

[jewishinseattle]

Intermediary Days

In a way we're here in the Chol HaMoed, or the intermediary days, of what our friends and neighbors call "the holidays." The time between Christmas and New Year's comes with time off, spent with friends and family, or just a few quiet moments by ourselves. The Christmas trees and decorations are still up and we're approaching the New Year. Like the Chol HaMoed of Jewish holidays, it's a time for introspection and reprieve from the holiday book ends. Even though it may not be "your holiday," we hope you found some joy and peace this holiday season.

Here are a few images from my Chol HaMoed. 

^^ Cozy Mt. Rainier fires

^^Beginnings of winter

[jewishinseattle]

One Little Box

                                   Walking along the street, I spied it. There it was: the lone box of Hanukkah candles perched on a shelf peeking out from the glass window among the Christmas decorations.  Hanukkah! Aha!  Could this mean that it has finally been recognized as an important holiday this season? How good it made me feel to see this lone reminder of my tradition although surrounded by tinsel laden branches and jolly red santa hats.

     As grandmother to two young children, it has been the December dilemma that emerges routinely but somehow unexpectedly each time of the year. It surprises me each year.  So how do we resolve it  both to our children and to ourselves?  Although we tell our neighbors that Hanukkah is "not the Jewish Christmas,"  we cannot help but be affected by the red velvet wreaths on doors, the bulbs of all colors hanging in stores, the Christmas trees in grocery store parking lots.

     Patiently we can teach out children to both accept and enjoy the differences that make up our families at this special time.  We can explain our own rich traditions by lighting candles in the menorah, reading stories like Papa's Latkes (and eating them!), playing dreidel and joyfully singing songs.

     Perhaps the real message, the real answer to the December Dilemma is the following: both have the same message. Let us express our gratitude for this opportunity to share Hanukkah with our neighbors and tell our children that there is a loving message similar to both holidays.  One that can bring harmony, peace,love and good will to all.  We can, in fact, relax and enjoy each other's celebrations, their diversity and the happiness that they bring to our families.  Perhaps the message from both holidays is that giving to others is far more important than receiving gifts.

       So we can also remember to sing happily:

       Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

       I made it out of clay

       And when it's dry and ready

       Dreidel I shall play.

Mimi is a photographer, a yogi, and a native New Yorker. On any given Sunday, you can find her spending time with her five grandchildren, enjoying a meal at Betty's on Queen Anne, and walking through her beloved Golden Gardens.