Jews for 'It's OK to Say Merry Christmas' Press Conference Thursday in Washington, D.C.

PR ^ | Nov 30 05 | Jews for its OK Merry Christmas

[churchillbuff]

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Bryan Rudnick, 561-499-3201

News Advisory:

WHAT: Jews for "It's OK to Say Merry Christmas" press conference

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The National Press Club (529 14th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.) in the Murrow Room.

WHY: To speak out against the War on Christmas -- ongoing efforts to purge Christmas from our schools, public events, retail establishments and the culture, and why this should concern Americans of all faiths.

WHO:

Don Feder -- president, Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation

Michael Horowitz -- senior fellow, Hudson Institute

Rabbi Daniel Lapin -- president, Toward Tradition

Jackie Mason -- entertainer (by conference call)

Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation was organized to combat anti-Christian bias in government, the news media, Hollywood and public education -- and from activist groups. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.jews4fairness.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[doug from upland]

Jews and Christians share many common values and traditions. Jews and Christians, unlike another certain religion, don't believe it is a good thing to send out our children stapped with explosives to kill innocent people.

[MplsSteve]

Interesting post.

I have several Jewish friends and when I do Christmas cards, I specially buy a few Happy Holidays cards to send them instead of the traditional Christmas card.

They're Reform Jews and I doubt they'd take offense at getting a Christmas card - but nonetheless, I don't wanna take a chance at them feeling awkward or put off because of it.

[Robert Teesdale]

I've always thought highly of the JPFO.

[Inyokern]

Jews get a bad rap from all this anti-Christmas stuff. It is not Jews who object to Merry Christmas, it is secularists.

[Rightfootforward]

Very nice! My thanks to all who support this effort. And for the record, I've defending Hannukah and Hannukah decorations more than once in my life -- and will happily do so any time it needs to be done.

[thoughtomator]

Hanukkah is simply not a similar holiday to Christmas, and it is nonsensical to try to blend it in to the Christmas season. So for Christmas, say "Merry Christmas" and don't feel guilty about it... what you should feel guilty about is that woman sitting there in the dark, going blind, because you wouldn't change the lightbulb for your poor, old mother....

But seriously, if you're celebrating Christmas, it's an obvious charade to pretend to be celebrating some multifascist polyholiday... as I understand it, Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of the son of God, not about Santa Claus and Wal-Mart. Likewise, Hannukah is about a rebellion against a tyrant and gift-giving, cards, etc. are not appropriate.

[Salem]

"Rabbi Daniel Lapin -- president, Toward Tradition"

Alouette has been posting Rabbi Lapin's email commentaries recently. Doesn't surprise me he's in this bunch.

For that, we are truly grateful.  

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[Northern Alliance]

hey're Reform Jews and I doubt they'd take offense at getting a Christmas card - but nonetheless, I don't wanna take a chance at them feeling awkward or put off because of it.

My guess is that you are right, they would not be offended by a Christmas card but appreciate your thoughtfulness in getting them a Holiday card instead.

BTW, I will probably post this to a number of different threads, but I expect Santa Claus will again be visiting my niece's (my wife and I are raising her) school this year and we will be putting up Christmas lights soon. I don't think anyone will be offended by either, even though my wife and niece are Buddhist, the neighborhood is Muslim, and I am Jewish. This is one of the nice things about living in Thailand.

[billorites]

Gotta say, this stuff's growing on me.

It's New -- It's Fun
It's Bill of Rights or Bust!

I could probably live with it.

[SkyPilot]

The Jews are the pillars of Western Civilization. I am a Christian, and I will fight for the Jews until the end of the Earth.

They are my brothers and sisters.

[Rightfootforward]

"Jews get a bad rap from all this anti-Christmas stuff. It is not Jews who object to Merry Christmas, it is secularists."

I believe you're absolutely correct on all counts. In my experience, Jewish people have been very gracious about the holidays I celebrate. And I, in return, treat their observances with equal amounts of respect.

Secularists, athiests, the ACLU and other agenda-ridden lefties are the perpetrators of the Christmas debacle. It's heartening to see we've got a backlash in play. I vote we go after them and bury this nonsense as quickly as possible.

[Drammach]

I have no problem with people of other faiths wishing me well in the name of their religion...
I consider it a thoughtful gesture on their part..

Likewise, when someone greets me with well wishes in the spirit of one of their religious holidays, I recieve it gladly..
Sharing the special occassion of their holiday is no burden on my soul, and promotes good will and understanding..

I would simply like to see that attitude reciprocated by those of other faiths and beliefs toward me and my beliefs..

Wishing someone Merry Christmas is a profession of Goodwill Toward Men and Peace On Earth..
I find it highly amusing that anyone can take that as an Insult, or an aggressive act, or some challenge to their belief system..
Even to those of no belief..
Atheists that feel threatened or insulted by the well wishes made in a religious context are obviously very weak in their convictions..
An atheist of true conviction would consider "Merry Christmas" no different than "Good Morning" and would respond equally and accordingly..

Merry Christmas..
Peace On Earth And Good Will Toward Men..

[Yaelle]

It is definitely not us Jews in this campaign against Christmas. Rather, it's the extremist secular crowd! We love Christians freely expressing and publicly displaying the joyful and meaningful (and even the silly) greetings and reminders of Christmas! I think this group is doing a great thing.

[bpjam]

The only Jews against Christmas are the atheist kind that never go to Temple and think Judaism is about 'social justice'. Think: Al Franken, Nadine Strossen, Alan Derschowitz, Chuck Schumer, etc. Real Jews who actually believe in God aren't threatened at all by Christians and they know that it hasn't been Christians persecuting Jews for the past 1000 years - its been atheist socialists.

Just don't forgot to wish us Happy Hanukkah next week and occassionally mention us at conventions so we know we aren't completely forgotten or taken for granted in the party.

[sageb1]

"It is not Jews who object to Merry Christmas, it is secularists."

Yes. Secularist, liberal Jews.

[april15Bendovr]

I am all for "Its Ok for Christians to say happy Hanukkah."

At the same time I am an American of Irish heritage that says its ok to say "Póg mo thóin" to atheists and liberals against Christmas and Hanukkah.

[Cincinna]

As a lifelong resident of NYC I have always known that Jews and Roman Catholics here get it . When one religion's free expression is endangered, all religions are in danger.

That is why we never have a problem here with THE Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center, in front of Court Houses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, or Menorahs in the same locations. The are called Christmas trees not "holiday" trees, and Menorahs, not "candelabra".

No problem with display of Ten Commandments, crêches, or other religious symbols that takes place in other places.

The ACLU won't mess with NY. As former Mayor Ed Koch, and current Mayor Mike Bloomberg put it... "we love Christmas"!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Wow - this is interesting.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

It is not Jews who object to Merry Christmas, it is secularists.

And the atheists and the corporate PR idiots who are striving to be politically-correct and offend NO one.

[The Westerner]

Many of the elderly Jews of my acquaintance came to America to escape being murdered in their own countries. They did not expect America to change to their needs; they understood that what made America different was that anyone could worship as he pleased. The dominant religion was Christianity when they arrived, so they were polite and grateful. Unlike the Muslims and other ethnics of today who cynically take advantage of the left's political correctness to erase the excellent almost secular traditions we enjoy.

[aligncare]

"They're Reform Jews and I doubt they'd take offense at getting a Christmas card"

There again, why would anyone ever take offense at receiving a loving gesture in whatever religious form it takes?

[radiohead]

I'm happy when friends remember me at the holidays. If they are friends, they will know that I'm a Reform Jew and not send me a Christmas card. A 'Happy Holidays' card is fine. I'm not trying to make the 2 events equal, I just appreciate the sentiment.

If someone didn't know I was Jewish and sent a Christmas card, I'm not going to be angry. Being black, people make assumptions. I get all kinds of Kwanzaa greetings from idiotic white people. If they knew anything about the history of Kwanzaa or its creator, they wouldn't even bring up the subject with me.

[chae]

Just say "Merry Christmaramahanakwanzmas"

[XR7]

They're Reform Jews...

Secularists.
Lots of 'em atheists.
All have spurned the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

[Wilhelm Tell]

The are called Christmas trees not "holiday" trees, and Menorahs, not "candelabra".

It has just about become that silly -- "holiday trees" and "candelabra," indeed. The next thing, the radical secularists will demand that a crucifix be called "that hanging man" and a Torah scroll be called "that piece of paper."

[Exton1]

Oh please, They will not feel awkward. No not let the anti-Christmas propaganda get to you.

[Exton1]

No its Marxist who want to destroy our culture.

[Cincinna]

NYC is one of the things that make America great. There is more Christmas per square foot in NYC than anywhere else in the world. Watch Al Roker's CHRISTMAS IN NY on the FOOD NETWORK for some sights and insights. Al hosted the lighting of the Rockefeller Center CHRISTMAS TREE tonight, carried live on prime time NBC. Angels, too! Along PARK AVENUE, two miles of CHRISTMAS TREES.

[rdb3]

The Jews are the pillars of Western Civilization. I am a Christian, and I will fight for the Jews until the end of the Earth.

They are my brothers and sisters.

For us Christians, it's stupid for the branches to boast against the root, isn't it?

[AIC]

THE LAW IS THE LAW

I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over!!!!!

So Be It!

THE LAW IS THE LAW

So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then,

so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then,

so be it.

And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools, on which they deem their authority, then,

so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American Publics' best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, Trust in God and cannot Post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and it's employees should participate in celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter.

After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays.

After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break."

After all ~ it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter, be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct". I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshiping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be,

just another day.

What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once again, to represent the majority of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!

'Amen' and 'Amen'

[Northern Alliance]

They're Reform Jews...

Secularists. Lots of 'em atheists. All have spurned the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

I respect your opinion, even if you do not respect mine. And I do think it's great that although you appear to be an Orthodox Jew, you are in the Christmas spirit with your greeting and tree - just shows how ridiculous and mean-spirited this whole anti-Christmas thing is.

[EQAndyBuzz]

A Happy Holidays card works for me. My family is a bit sensitive about getting Merry Christmas cards.

As far as saying Merry Christmas, I say it to all the clerks in the stores I go to, regardless of their store policy. Pisses off management. If you see a manager in a store that is promoting happy holiday instead of Merry Christmas, make sure you wish him/her a very merry. :)

[nicmarlo]

bttt!

[nicmarlo]

It is not Jews who object to Merry Christmas, it is secularists.

And the atheists and the corporate PR idiots who are striving to be politically-correct and offend NO one.

And followers of Humanism, who are moral relativists...where they have usurped the Judeo-Christian standards of right and wrong with those which are subjective and individual.

[McGavin999]

Great move, I love this!

[John O]

For those of us who have fallen behind, what are the exact dates of Hanukkah and is they a brief background link. I know I've read it before but a reminder is always a good thing. After all Christianity arose out of Judaism and all the Jewish holidays should still be significant to Christians.

[McGavin999]

Just don't forgot to wish us Happy Hanukkah next week and occassionally mention us at conventions so we know we aren't completely forgotten or taken for granted in the party.

LOL, I depend heavily on FreeRepublic to let me know exactly when Hanukkah starts so I can surprise all my Jewish friends by saying Happy Hanukkah the minute I see them. It always puts a HUGE smile on their faces.

[Dante3]

Eactly. Also, the producer of the film "Gods and Generals," which treated Christians beliefs with respect, happened to be Jewish.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

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[AppyPappy]

I think the Jews are aware that the PC nonsense could spread to them in worse ways. It's not beyond belief that a certain cult could take to chucking bricks through windows with a Menorah in them. And the lackey media would want us to examine the "root causes" of the incidents and advice Jews to simply remove the "Holiday Candelabras" from view.

[SJackson]

I think the Jews are aware that the PC nonsense could spread to them in worse ways. It's not beyond belief that a certain cult could take to chucking bricks through windows with a Menorah in them.

Light in Montana How one town said no to hate

—By Jo Clare Hartsig and Walter Wink, Fellowship

Montana, long known as "big sky" territory, is vast and beautiful, like all its Northwestern neighbors. One might assume that there is room enough for everyone. Yet over the past decade the five-state area of Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana has been designated a "white homeland" for the Aryan Nation and growing numbers of kindred skinheads, Klan members, and other white supremacists. These groups have targeted nonwhites, Jews, gays, and lesbians for harassment, vandalism, and injury, which in some cases has led to murder. In Billings, Montana (pop. 83,000), there have been a number of hate crimes: desecration of a Jewish cemetery, threatening phone calls to Jewish citizens, swastikas painted on the home of an interracial couple. But it was something else that activated the people of faith and goodwill throughout the entire community.

On December 2, 1993, a brick was thrown through 5-year-old Isaac Schnitzer's bedroom window. The brick and shards of glass were strewn all over the child's bed. The reason? A menorah and other symbols of Jewish faith were stenciled on the glass as part of the family's Hanukkah celebration. The account of the incident in the Billings Gazette the next day reported that Isaac's mother, Tammie Schnitzer, was troubled by the advice she got from the investigating officer. He suggested that she remove the symbols. How would she explain this to her son?

Another mother in Billings was deeply touched by that question. She tried to imagine explaining to her children that they couldn't have a Christmas tree in the window or a wreath on the door because it wasn't safe. She remembered what happened when Hitler ordered the king of Denmark to force Danish Jews to wear the Star of David. The order was never carried out because the king himself and many other Danes chose to wear the yellow stars. The Nazis lost the ability to find their "enemies."

There are several dozen Jewish families in Billings. This kind of tactic could effectively deter violence if enough people got involved. So Margaret McDonald phoned her pastor, the Rev. Keith Torney at First Congregational United Church of Christ, and asked what he thought of having Sunday school children make paper cut-out menorahs for their own windows. He got on the phone with his clergy colleagues around town, and the following week menorahs appeared in the windows of hundreds of Christian homes. Asked about the danger of this action, police chief Wayne Inman told callers, "There's greater risk in not doing it."

Five days after the brick was thrown at the Schnitzer home, the Gazette published a full-page drawing of a menorah, along with a general invitation for people to put it up. By the end of the week at least six thousand homes (some accounts estimate up to ten thousand) were decorated with menorahs.

A sporting goods store got involved by displaying "Not in Our Town! No hate. No violence. Peace on Earth" on its large billboard. Someone shot at it. Townspeople organized a vigil outside the synagogue during Sabbath services. That same night bricks and bullets shattered windows at Central Catholic High School, where an electric marquee read "Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish Friends." The cat of a family with a menorah was killed with an arrow. Windows were broken at a United Methodist church because of its menorah display. The car and house windows of six non-Jewish families were shattered. A note that said "Jew lover" was left on a car.

Eventually these incidents waned, but people continued in their efforts to support one another against hate crimes. After being visited at home and threatened by one of the local skinhead leaders, Tammie Schnitzer is now always accompanied by friends when she goes on her morning run. During the Passover holiday last spring, 250 Christians joined their Jewish brothers and sisters in a traditional Seder meal. New friendships have formed, new traditions have started, and greater mutual understanding and respect have been achieved.

Last winter families all over Billings took out their menorahs to reaffirm their commitment to peace and religious tolerance. The light they shared in their community must be continuously rekindled until hatred has been overcome.

[add925]

Pagans, Druids & Atheists will still be offended.

In other words, 75% of the Democratic Party.

[A. Pole]

"It's OK to Say Merry Christmas"

And I would say "It's OK to Say Happy Hanukkah".

[Convert from ECUSA]

"Alouette has been posting Rabbi Lapin's email commentaries recently. Doesn't surprise me he's in this bunch. For that, we are truly grateful.

A big Amen and right on to that from Virginia, Salem!

[A. Pole]

Hannukah is about a rebellion against a tyrant

Not only that, read the Biblical account of Hanukkah. It is about rededication of the Temple and purification of it after pollution by the idols.

Christmas is also about rededication of the human nature (including the body) to service to God through the Incarnation. In New Testament human body is compared to the temple.

These two holidays are related and it might be not a coincidence that they fall in similar time.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Jews against Christian Defamation ping! Check it out!

"Don Feder -- president, Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation

Michael Horowitz -- senior fellow, Hudson Institute

Rabbi Daniel Lapin -- president, Toward Tradition

Jackie Mason -- entertainer (by conference call)"

May all Christians pray for, and ask blessings for, these fine men! May their kindess be returned to them sevenfold!

[Forte Runningrock]

Maybe we should cancel all this Christmas stuff, like Santa Claus, gift giving, and all the irrelevant stuff surrounding Christmas. NO weeks off for anti-Christian school teachers, no boxing day sales, etc.

Christians should just go to church, and have their feast, put Christ back into Christmas. All the bitchers and whiners can go to work.

Want Christmas holidays? Prove you are a Christian, show your paid up church membership card.

I wonder how well retailers would like this idea. I wonder how much the government would like this idea after realizing the lost revenue on the billions spent during the season.

It's time the government put up or shut up. America was founded and is a majority of Christians. Christmas is part of American tradition as is base ball and apple pie.

I don't give a damn about the cultures of other people who immigrate to this country. You don't see any of those countries erasing their own cultures to accommodate newcomers. We shouldn't erase ours for newcomers or nonbelievers either. If they don't like it, leave or stay out.

[NYer]

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