tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post5435542162342206273..comments2024-03-07T15:19:48.772-05:00Comments on The Rabbi with a Blog (Rabbi Jason Miller): Jewish Children and Halloween: Point-CounterpointRabbi Jason Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-21912146689647784032014-11-01T16:47:44.422-04:002014-11-01T16:47:44.422-04:00When I was in kindergarten I remember not going to...When I was in kindergarten I remember not going to school for Rosh Hashonah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzteret and Simchat Torah. I totally didn't understand why it was OK to go to school the morning after Halloween! <br /> Also, not about kids & Halloween, but since 9/11 I stopped liking Halloween because there are enough scary things in the world. When people take the time to make their yards look like graveyards to me it's not fun. (There is something to be said for chocolate though. . .Marcy Feldmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-78521171823785897532012-11-02T11:44:39.361-04:002012-11-02T11:44:39.361-04:00I am always wondering why Jewish people have such ...I am always wondering why Jewish people have such an issue with following Jesus who was also Jewish and of God's heart. It is interesting that all other people could recognize a promised Messiah in him-it is written he will be light to the gentiles. God wouldn't raise him from the dead if he was a sinner like us. And he is the only human being in the human history risen to life after being killed! "Wounded for our transgressions, (...) and by his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53;5 Him being killed is the only perfect sacrifice for atonement of our sins! Isaiah 53;11. First the redemption from our sins , then we can expect his glorious coming in the future and restoration of Israel. What Jewish people are waiting for we call his second coming in glory. Zachariah 12;10<br />(talks about 'the pierced redeemer of Israel' the same as in revelation of John1;7" Behold he is coming with clouds and every eye will see him, even they who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him." Daniel 7;13 talks about the same one coming with clouds.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837455437887973334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-65620197831905519762012-11-01T19:50:16.706-04:002012-11-01T19:50:16.706-04:00In my opinion, it is intelectually dishonest to co...In my opinion, it is intelectually dishonest to compare thanksgiving with Halloween. Jews have been involved in Thanksgiving since George Washington was president. Shearith Israel the first American Jewish congregation has Thanksgiving liturgy. It has only been an official tradition since 1800s but Shearit Israel has been celebrating it well before then. Aharon Fernandeznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-44708823742354865152012-11-01T11:37:09.542-04:002012-11-01T11:37:09.542-04:00Intellectually, I'm one of those people who...Intellectually, I'm one of those people who's familiar with the pagan origins of most of our Jewish holidays (my favorite Purim was the year our synagogue called for "traditional costumes" and my husband and I went as meticulously recreated Marduk and Ishtar). I'm also familiar with the pagan (and occasionally Christian) origins of our "American" holidays, and the Christian versions of some of our Jewish holidays. Given all of this history, I feel that any holiday that's not explicitly defined as belonging to another religion in our own time and place is fair game for Jewish appropriation. We've been joking about "Purim Sheini," but I really like the suggestion above about connecting trick-or-treating explicitly to shalach manot!<br /><br />Non-intellectually... I somehow stayed Jewish despite going to public schools, trick-or-treating, never attending Jewish camp, and having a non-Jewish father. My kids attend Jewish schools and camps and have two Jewish parents who are active in their Jewish community -- I don't think their identity will be imperiled by dressing up in leftover Purim costumes once a year and going around asking for candy from the neighbors.Wendy Lovenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-78988179386821579542012-10-31T22:31:35.843-04:002012-10-31T22:31:35.843-04:00Me and my family, who are Jewish, believe that Hal...Me and my family, who are Jewish, believe that Halloween is acceptable since it no longer has any religious significance, but Christmas is not acceptable for us, because it celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom we Jews do not follow. It is true that Halloween originally honored Christian saints, but it is no longer celebrated as if it had any connection with Christianity.Alexander Jeffrey Aerninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-14984883499649383202012-10-31T22:31:21.541-04:002012-10-31T22:31:21.541-04:00Rabbi, I appreciate your opinion, and am hopeful I...Rabbi, I appreciate your opinion, and am hopeful I will be able to use your words to help explain to friends the reason I dislike Halloween. I am Christian, though not Catholic, so Halloween isn't tied in with any sort of celebration of the Saints. It is just plain Halloween. I have very strong (negative) opinions regarding the celebration because of its foundation in Pagan traditions and rituals, and find I am generally looked upon as over-zealous when I try to explain my frustration and discomfort with following "the norm" in this case. I am glad I am not alone! Thank you for your insight.Jennifer Wolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-1621762362593307332012-10-31T22:31:06.101-04:002012-10-31T22:31:06.101-04:00Interesting question....one I actually never even ...Interesting question....one I actually never even thought of until Eli and Ella started preschool at Temple Israel and I found out there was no observance of Halloween. Although it is connected to "saints", Halloween really has lost all religious meaning. However, what about 50 years from now when the secularization of Chrsitmas is even more pervasive and everyone has forgotten that it celebrates Jesus' birth? I happen to be cool with Halloween for my kids because they aren't getting any message of it being religious (no friends going to Church, no religious songs), but the question did give me food for thought...where do we draw the line?Cheryl Lerchinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-75477431029843059162012-10-31T22:30:47.542-04:002012-10-31T22:30:47.542-04:00OK, this is it. The final word on Halloween: The O...OK, this is it. The final word on Halloween: <a href="http://www.theonion.com/video/in-the-know-has-halloween-become-overcommercialize,14284/" rel="nofollow">The Onion</a>Alana Suskinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-37782899706882382622012-10-31T22:30:12.528-04:002012-10-31T22:30:12.528-04:00Rabbi Starr - I, as always, respect your decision....Rabbi Starr - I, as always, respect your decision. I by no means am holding myself up as any kind of ideal or even semi ideal Jew. But I do try to be more faithful/observant, even if these tiny steps seem insignificant to many. However, without judging - merely as an observation: if I look around at Jews today and the assimilation I see around Easter and Christmas or I see the lack of attendance at synagogue or lack of ritual performed at home, I'd can say that in my humble opinion: we have bigger fish to fry. I think kids dressing up for Halloween should be the least of our worries.Leah Silverman Gawelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-8150074821359867802012-10-31T22:29:47.541-04:002012-10-31T22:29:47.541-04:00Coming here as a child from a country that never m...Coming here as a child from a country that never mentioned Halloween, it was a fun activity that my sister and I could take part in that made us feel more connected to the American culture and society. We already felt different and this was one small way to feel part of the community. This was strictly a kid activity, we never celebrated it as a family in any other way than walking around the neighborhood on costume while my father followed in his car. By the time we were in high school we couldn't care less about dressing up or candy collecting, but we did enjoy the scary movies that came out during Halloween. I see the exact same thing in my own kids. Now in high school, neither one of my older two children has a need or desire to dress up and go trick-or-treating. We never denied or forbid them from taking part of the festivities, but they, on their own decided they've outgrown it. I think we tend to over-think and draw too much attention to some things, making them a bigger deal than they really need to be. Sorry if I upset anyone.Donna Katznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-61122706929327893362012-10-31T22:29:34.885-04:002012-10-31T22:29:34.885-04:00I think very few, if any, think of Halloween as a ...I think very few, if any, think of Halloween as a day of anything but a time to dress up and collect candy. It has no religious significance when I was a child.Micki Grossmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-82228117936031317042012-10-31T22:29:22.161-04:002012-10-31T22:29:22.161-04:00Me and my family are Jewish and have always celebr...Me and my family are Jewish and have always celebrated Halloween, even if it is wrong for Jews to celebrate it.Alexander Jeffrey Aerninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-679401213889697392012-10-31T22:29:03.937-04:002012-10-31T22:29:03.937-04:00Rabbi Starr...I wish that we had decided what you ...Rabbi Starr...I wish that we had decided what you and Rebecca had decided years ago...but, when your kids goto a main streamed school, you really can't get around it. I will admit, I'm not a huge fan...but my kids have fun with it...but, I won't purchase costumes...Wendy Arnoldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-72144949700738431162012-10-31T22:28:41.076-04:002012-10-31T22:28:41.076-04:00Rabbi Miller, as per usual, I agreeRabbi Miller, as per usual, I agreeDina Berdynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-88202310612192520172012-10-31T22:28:23.271-04:002012-10-31T22:28:23.271-04:00I do feel quite blessed to be living in America in...I do feel quite blessed to be living in America in the 21st century, even as Halloween comes around tonight. We have the opportunity to choose to avoid pagan/non-Jewish celebrations (when in past generations our people may have been forced to engage) AND we can open our doors to our neighbors and, by and large, have no need to fear from anti-Semitic violence (whereas in the past Jews rarely opened their doors willingly for fear of attack). Our light will be on and my children will be on the inside of the door, enjoying giving out candy to those who come by. And, of course, they'll get to eat all the leftovers and will be taking notes as to what they want to wear ... when Purim comes around. For those of you going out tonight, just be safe!Rabbi Aaron Starrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-27198161536187380822012-10-31T22:27:11.528-04:002012-10-31T22:27:11.528-04:00To participate in a Holiday without performing the...To participate in a Holiday without performing the rituals with consciousness and understanding it's meaning is absolutely hollow, not "hallow" (holy). Halloween is not "our" (a Jewish holiday), and just because one lives in America doesn't justify celebrating it. The images used are not good for young children's neshamas (souls). Today it seems like American society has advanced to adrenaline seeking zombie, vampire, horror movie fanats. I wish patriotic Americans would celebrate election day with as much enthusiasm and energy as Halloween...it's just about as scary. I know there are other ways to have a community event-like a block party. Anyway, enjoy the fun, and be safe!Abigail Telnofnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-78262858673749586842012-10-31T22:21:14.823-04:002012-10-31T22:21:14.823-04:00Enjoyed this, Jason, and the comments.
Here's...Enjoyed this, Jason, and the comments.<br /><br />Here's another Halloween-related post from the interfaith blog that I manage:<br />http://she-answers-abraham.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-trick-or-treat.html<br /><br />Only Grace (Episcopal) & I were able to weigh in on Halloween, as Yasmina & her husband are enroute from Mecca. Pamela Gottfriednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-63175153718724915752012-10-31T18:51:10.094-04:002012-10-31T18:51:10.094-04:00I have no problem being neighborly and giving trea...I have no problem being neighborly and giving treats to those who come to our door, however my children do not go out trick-or-treating. Aside from the pagan and christian origins of the holiday (which is a religious issue that is understated by many), I do not think it is good to have our kids going to neighbors and/or strangers who are obligated by culture, society, and implicit threat of 'tricks' (and even if our children don't carry out such tricks, there are those who do, and some may not know which kids are which) to give out treats upon uttering of a magic phrase (even if please and/or thank you are included). As for how to answer the cries of 'but our friends all do it,' let us remember it is the same thing with xmas, non-kosher food, going out Friday nights, dating/marrying non-jews, etc. The jewish people ARE different and we should act like it, or risk assimilation.michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-2640498503125280512012-10-31T17:37:44.519-04:002012-10-31T17:37:44.519-04:00I must say that before I moved to America we never...I must say that before I moved to America we never had anything like Halloween. But now it is becoming 'popular' holiday all over the world because the whole world is under the commercialization and is using anything as the opportunity to sell stuff, and we are tempted to buy it!<br />So it actually has nothing to do with the beliefs, people 'buy' it as it is fun for kids and sellers are happy to sell as many costumes and candy as they can.While in the world it is all about money right now, so are all these holidays.<br />I don't celebrate haloween but I can celebrate Christmas completely apart from its commercial side, focusing on the birth of Jesus, a man of the heart of God.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837455437887973334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-18247653342288082802012-10-31T14:54:09.255-04:002012-10-31T14:54:09.255-04:00Thanks Rabbi Jason for blogging on this very inter...Thanks Rabbi Jason for blogging on this very interesting subject. I am someone who counts Halloween as my favorite holiday, but I am also a Jewish educator and therefore I need to constantly be thinking about how to address this issue with children and parents.<br /><br />My main issue with Rabbi Starr's argument stems from his final paragraph, when he wrote "it would be for our children and our People to encourage our kids to celebrate Jewish holidays with equal passion and excitement as others do Halloween! It seems to me far more uplifting to dress our children up in celebration of Purim and to give away gifts of food to our friends and those in need than to celebrate a pagan-Christian holiday by parading through dark streets in scary costumes receiving or even begging for candy from strangers."<br /><br />Halloween and Purim are two very different holidays and I don't think as Jewish educators we should continue to link them in our students' minds. As both of you mentioned, Halloween IS a secular holiday that has its origins in Pagan and Christian traditions. It also is linked to rituals involving the dead, spirits and saints. Purim on the other hand is a holiday that celebrates triumph over evil as well as the bravery of Mordechai and Esther. The only similarity between these two holidays is the tradition to dress in costume, and even in that, the reasons are very different). <br /><br />When arguing against celebrating Halloween, I would suggest looking for other things families can do, rather than trying to substitute Purim for Halloween.<br /><br />I would have also loved to see some discussion on what Judaism actually teaches about the world of the dead/undead. We actually have a rich tradition of stories stemming from the 16th century and later that involve things like golems, dybbuks, corpses and more. Using this time to teach some Jewish folklore is a great addition (or possibly alternative) to celebrating Halloween. That is what we did at my congregation this past weekend. I took this as an opportunity to teach our 4th and 5th graders a little bit about Jewish folklore as well as have a little experiential fun.<br /><br />Check out our blog at bridgefamilyreligionschool.wordpress.com to see how we addressed Halloween and Jewish folklore!<br />Ms. Misadventurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06414928609679474944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-27124682889529665952012-10-31T14:50:28.453-04:002012-10-31T14:50:28.453-04:00Long ago trick or treating also meant collecting f...Long ago trick or treating also meant collecting for UNICEF, ahh Tzedeka. My Chabad Rabbi may take argument but I don't see any connection with Holloween and anyone's sacred tradition. The kids go out for Halloween with the sole purpose to " Rock the House ". collect candy, costume and be with friends. On the other hand my son does know the difference and priortizes Purim. Holloween is great public relations. It affords the oppertunity to be gracious to all the other kids in the neighborhood when they come knocking on the door. Giving Kosher candy is the best. I don't see Holloween as being a deal breaker. I don't see " our " community racing to provide alternative activity or programming for the kids. I'm understanding ,sensitive and am aware of Rabbi Starr's point of view. It is with merit and should not be minimized. He fears that once the gate of Holloween is torn down than what's next. We have had way too many gates crashed. Halloween's gate in the USA was crashed long ago. The question is how best to rebuild it. Untill than Trick or Treat. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-62182881604029653802012-10-31T14:46:20.423-04:002012-10-31T14:46:20.423-04:00I’m raising my Jewish children in a religiously mi...I’m raising my Jewish children in a religiously mixed family. We teach them the origins Samhain and how the Christians incorporated Samhain into their All Saints day on November 1st. We also teach them how it was changed after it was brought to this country. Halloween is very unique to the United States. We may be exporting it to other countries but it is our own blend. My family respects its members who put out a dumb feast in honor of their ancestors. It leads to discussions about ALL of our ancestors. We also respect those who rush off to church on the 1st. <br /><br />My Jewish children love trick-or-treating. It’s another chance to dress up and tell stories. It’s easy to incorporate Jewish morals and traditions into the celebration. My children have food allergies so we are using this occasion to treat others. They dress up and pass out flyers saying they are collecting food for the local food bank. They will dress up tonight to collect the cans. For them tonight is about family and mitzvahs, along with pumpkins and some candy :)<br />Merrilyhttp://mawalkingwolf.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-51359354054729506302012-10-31T12:33:21.761-04:002012-10-31T12:33:21.761-04:00To participate in a Holiday without performing the...To participate in a Holiday without performing the rituals with consciousness and understanding it's meaning is absolutely hollow, not "hallow" (holy). Halloween is not "our" (a Jewish holiday), and just because one lives in America doesn't<br /> justify celebrating it. The images used are not good for young children's neshamas (souls). Today it seems like American society has advanced to adrenaline seeking zombie, vampire, horror movie fanats. I wish patriotic Americans would celebrate election day with as much enthusiasm and energy as Halloween...it's just about as scary. I know there are other ways to have a community event-like a block party. Anyway, enjoy the fun, and be safe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-71774256763856858512012-10-31T12:16:44.259-04:002012-10-31T12:16:44.259-04:00I allow my kids to go trick or treating, but now t...I allow my kids to go trick or treating, but now they are older they do it a little but spend most of the time giving out candy.<br /><br />I have a number of Pagan friends and they are as unhappy about what has happened to Samhein as many serious Christians are about what has happened to Christmas in America.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01129489372197701535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-7243218610471536242012-10-31T08:08:43.482-04:002012-10-31T08:08:43.482-04:00Long, long ago, our rabbi, Morris Allen, told our ...Long, long ago, our rabbi, Morris Allen, told our kids that if they went trick-or-treating they had to commit to delivering shalach manot on Purim. It wasn't a trade, it was an obligation.<br /><br />That philosophy has been in place now some 26 years and is still going strong. My kids are grown up and continue to perform shalach manot. <br /><br />I thought it was a great way to turn Halloween into a teachable moment.The Wifely Personshttp://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com