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avamamma
My Girl
Member since 7/06 3395 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Another question for our Jewish Friends...
The other day, my DD was telling me what her Jewish friend got for his first night gift. Then she asked me if Santa will be bringing him gifts too.
I was :scratch. I said that I didn't know and that she should ask him.
So, what do Jewish Parents tell their children? Do they know there is no Santa Claus? If they know, what do you tell them? How do You get them to not "spill the beans" to their non-Jewish friend's ?
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Posted 12/6/10 11:42 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Hmm, now that I think of it, I honestly don't think Santa Claus was EVER discussed in my house. My kids get the gifts from US. I am pretty sure if confronted, neither one of them would know who the fellow is!
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| Posted 12/6/10 11:52 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
At this point, I just say that we don't celebrate Christmas although some of our friends and neighbors do. I have said to DS that we don't believe in Santa Clause but that other friends of ours do. I don't say that he is not real and DS who is 3 has yet to ask that question (DD is 14 months so this has not come up with her). I think when the time comes, I will tell DS and DD the truth but explain that for other families it is important not to ruin the surprise.
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| Posted 12/6/10 11:56 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Catholic here.
I told my kids that only Christians celebrate Jesus's birth and resurrection. Because of that they don't get gifts from Santa or the Easter Bunny- but there are other holidays that other religions celebrate throughout the year that we don't, for example Hanukkah.
My co-worker (who is Jewish)'s daughter was told that there is no such thing as Santa. The daughter told her friend (who did believe in Santa). It was upsetting to both sets of parents. My co-worker explained to her daughter that it was hurtful to tell someone that their belief in Santa isn't real & if she continued to do that, her friends wouldn't want to play with her. The mom of the child told her the co-worker's daughter lied about Santa, that he is real & she got in trouble for it.
Unfortunately, this is where the lies we tell our kids come to a head. We want them to believe because it was a special time in our childhood but if you think about it - a mythical being that comes down & only delivers gifts to some people can be a hurtful belief to others. If logic were in play, Santa would give better gifts to the poor people because they need it. Unfortunately, Santa is not an equal opportunity gift giver.
I love Santa. I love that my kids are believers because it is a magical time - and I want that perpetuated as long as it is socially acceptable to believe - but bringing back the REAL meaning of why we are celebrating will cushion that blow later on. It's the spirit of Christmas or holiday - which does exist.
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| Posted 12/7/10 5:26 AM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I kind of never cared about Santa because he didn't bring me presents. And when you're little, it's all about ME, ME, ME!  I knew about Santa from all the cartoons and tv shows and stuff, but I always assumed he was just for Christians and never really thought about if he was real or not.
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| Posted 12/7/10 6:07 AM |
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luvsun27
Check out my cool glasses
Member since 5/05 8135 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
DD is 4...I have tried explaing that we don't celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Hannukah. She asked me if Santa brings presents for Christmas, who brings them for Hannukah. I told her Hannukah Harry brings them . I didn't want to spoil it for her and thats what I came up with on the spot.
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| Posted 12/7/10 6:36 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
When I was growing up, Christmas and Santa NEVER took place in our home. Christmas was celebrated in other peoples' homes and we participated. I was told that we celebrate Chanukah and do not celebrate Christmas - end of story. This is how I plan on explaining it to my children.
ETA:
I would not spoil any other child's fun by indoctrinating my kids to believe that Santa isn't real. I couldn't be that cruel.
Message edited 12/7/2010 8:46:27 AM.
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| Posted 12/7/10 8:45 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
My parents from a very early age told us that santa was a made up being.
When I was 5 I told my friends that santa didn't exist.
that sucked for them.
that's the way it went down. I had no idea the impact at the time.
I wouldn't do that with my kids. No reason to spoil some other kids fun.
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| Posted 12/7/10 8:58 AM |
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peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Posted by nrthshgrl
Catholic here.
I told my kids that only Christians celebrate Jesus's birth and resurrection. Because of that they don't get gifts from Santa or the Easter Bunny- but there are other holidays that other religions celebrate throughout the year that we don't, for example Hanukkah.
My co-worker (who is Jewish)'s daughter was told that there is no such thing as Santa. The daughter told her friend (who did believe in Santa). It was upsetting to both sets of parents. My co-worker explained to her daughter that it was hurtful to tell someone that their belief in Santa isn't real & if she continued to do that, her friends wouldn't want to play with her. The mom of the child told her the co-worker's daughter lied about Santa, that he is real & she got in trouble for it.
Unfortunately, this is where the lies we tell our kids come to a head. We want them to believe because it was a special time in our childhood but if you think about it - a mythical being that comes down & only delivers gifts to some people can be a hurtful belief to others. If logic were in play, Santa would give better gifts to the poor people because they need it. Unfortunately, Santa is not an equal opportunity gift giver.
I love Santa. I love that my kids are believers because it is a magical time - and I want that perpetuated as long as it is socially acceptable to believe - but bringing back the REAL meaning of why we are celebrating will cushion that blow later on. It's the spirit of Christmas or holiday - which does exist.
I think that this is incredibly well said. To the OP, I think it depends on the family. DH and I are Catholic, but most of his family is Jewish. Some of them do Santa Claus with their children; therefore, I think while the majority of Jewish people do not celebrate Santa, some do. HTH!
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| Posted 12/7/10 9:46 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Isn't it kind of like Jesus? You teach your kids that we don't believe in Jesus, but don't go to school and tell your friends with the nice gold cross necklaces that mommy's a liar and he doens't exist?
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| Posted 12/7/10 10:05 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Posted by JenniferEver
Isn't it kind of like Jesus? You teach your kids that we don't believe in Jesus, but don't go to school and tell your friends with the nice gold cross necklaces that mommy's a liar and he doens't exist?
Jewish people DO believe in Jesus - that he existed and was a "regular" person, but was not the Messiah. Totally different.
I don't know what I'll teach my kids when the time comes, DH and I are agnostic but celebrate all holidays with my (Jewish) family and his (Catholic) family
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| Posted 12/7/10 10:48 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
It depends on which Jew you ask, but I was kidding
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| Posted 12/7/10 10:49 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I don't remember specifics, but pretty much I was told that we celebrate Chanukah, not Christmas, and that Santa brings presents to the homes of my non-Jewish friends. However, I was quite the realist of a child and I never believed that Santa Claus was real, so my parents told me NOT to tell my Christian friends. I also never believed in the tooth fairy...wasn't much for fantasy.
I actually remember my parents letting me sit on Santa's lap in the mall as a kid, and when I asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I looked at him like he was an idiot and told him I celebrated Chanukah!
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| Posted 12/7/10 11:09 AM |
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racheK
Hudson's Momma
Member since 10/10 2853 total posts
Name:
Rachel
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Posted by Jax430
I don't remember specifics, but pretty much I was told that we celebrate Chanukah, not Christmas, and that Santa brings presents to the homes of my non-Jewish friends. However, I was quite the realist of a child and I never believed that Santa Claus was real, so my parents told me NOT to tell my Christian friends. I also never believed in the tooth fairy...wasn't much for fantasy.
I was the same way, I just understood that we celebrated Hanukkah and not Christmas. I knew from early on that Santa and Tooth Fairy didn't exist (my parents didn't try very hard). I remember telling a girl that made fun of me that I didn't celebrate Christmas that Santa didn't exist anyways. 
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| Posted 12/7/10 11:59 AM |
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DGoldfarb0776
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 767 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Posted by Goldi0218
When I was growing up, Christmas and Santa NEVER took place in our home. Christmas was celebrated in other peoples' homes and we participated. I was told that we celebrate Chanukah and do not celebrate Christmas - end of story. This is how I plan on explaining it to my children.
ETA:
I would not spoil any other child's fun by indoctrinating my kids to believe that Santa isn't real. I couldn't be that cruel.
Pretty much the same thing here (you guys know that DH and I are both Jewish).
Growing up I celebrated at my non-Jewish friends houses and that's it..they did come and celebrate Hanukkah with me and my family - which was nice I felt I had the best of both worlds so to speak since my family would get me Hanukkah gifts and my friends would get me Christmas gifts that I would open with them at their house on Christmas Day and such.
I would never tell any child though that believes in Santa that he's not real... I currently work with children that are all non-Jewish so I don't go against what they beileve in but I also show them and teach them about Hanukkah as well so they know there's other religions that celebrate other holidays.
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| Posted 12/7/10 5:51 PM |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I don't specifically remember being told by my mother that there was no Santa and we celebrate Chanukah anyway. I don't remember ever thinking Santa was real, or any of my (catholic) friends thinking he was either!
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| Posted 12/7/10 6:02 PM |
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MrsFein09
We are so in Love with you!!!
Member since 10/09 2470 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
My DH is Jewish and he grew up believing that Santa was real. His parents gave him christmas presents that were based around the Jewish religion.
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| Posted 12/7/10 8:06 PM |
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mbg1007
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 1247 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I was told that santa wasn't real but I don't remember it ever being an issue with kids who did believe in him, I guess it never came up. If my kids ask ill explain why we don't celebrate christmas and that although santa isn't real they shouldn't tell that to children who do celebrate christmas.
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| Posted 12/7/10 8:08 PM |
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FelAndJon
needs to update her avatar pic
Member since 6/05 10212 total posts
Name:
Felice (aka LuckyBride2004)
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I grew up in a VERY Jewish area and don't really remember any of our friends celebrating Christmas! With that said, I also don't remember it ever being an issue of whether Santa was real or not since we didn't believe in him anyway. Same way that the Easter Bunny wasn't real...
We are teaching our children that we don't celebrate Christmas and Santa, the Manger, the trees, the wreaths, all the decorations, etc that we see in every store are for Christmas. We like to look at it all but don't have any need for it in our home.
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| Posted 12/7/10 8:15 PM |
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
I'm Jewish and I had several childhood friends who weren't/aren't. My mom didn't have a way to explain it but she put a few gifts by the fireplace on Christmas and told us that Santa Claus had been there. This was the same mom who ALWAYS did gifts for 8 nights of chanukah and sometimes lit Friday night candles. I know that not many people would appreciate this way of doing things but it worked for us. We never had a tree we didn't have a huge Christmas celebration. I was able to understand that.
I bought more than 8 Chanukah gifts and I may do something similar for my son. The kids in his class are all talking about Santa Claus. There are 1-2 interfaith Jewish kids but I think he is the only one who has 2 Jewish parents. We live in a more Jewish area than the area I grew up in so I am not sure what we will do when he is in public school. There is no way I would want him to ruin Christmas for anyone else. I will probably always have more than 8 gifts ready for him.
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| Posted 12/7/10 9:31 PM |
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PrincessP
Big sister!!!!!!!!!!
Member since 12/05 17450 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another question for our Jewish Friends...
Posted by DGoldfarb0776
Posted by Goldi0218
When I was growing up, Christmas and Santa NEVER took place in our home. Christmas was celebrated in other peoples' homes and we participated. I was told that we celebrate Chanukah and do not celebrate Christmas - end of story. This is how I plan on explaining it to my children.
ETA:
I would not spoil any other child's fun by indoctrinating my kids to believe that Santa isn't real. I couldn't be that cruel.
Pretty much the same thing here (you guys know that DH and I are both Jewish).
Growing up I celebrated at my non-Jewish friends houses and that's it..they did come and celebrate Hanukkah with me and my family - which was nice I felt I had the best of both worlds so to speak since my family would get me Hanukkah gifts and my friends would get me Christmas gifts that I would open with them at their house on Christmas Day and such.
I would never tell any child though that believes in Santa that he's not real... I currently work with children that are all non-Jewish so I don't go against what they beileve in but I also show them and teach them about Hanukkah as well so they know there's other religions that celebrate other holidays.
Same here. I actually think I encourage dd to be more involved in her friends traditions then I even was. I would never tell her santa didnt exist. Well at least not now. She knows shes Jewish and celebrates Chanukah...end of story.
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| Posted 12/7/10 9:35 PM |
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