Tag Archives: Hanukkah

Book Review: The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate

My last blogs have talked about racist incidents a few adoptees have recently faced and resources for responding. The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate, by Janice Cohn, is based on the true story of events that happened in Billings, Montana in 1993. In 1993, a group in Billings sent out leaflets saying hateful things about several ethnic groups and Jewish people in particular. They spray-painted threats on a Native American home, threatened an African-American church, and damaged a synagogue. As Hanukkah began, rocks were thrown through several windows of homes displaying menorahs. One of these large rocks shattered … Continue reading →

The Holidays are Over!

Actually, when I wrote the titles, I realized that when I think of the Holidays, I think of our High Holidays of Rosh Hashannah (our Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (our day of atonement). However, when I refer to them here, I refer to the Happy Hannukwanistmas and new year. Yes, finally, the “holidays” of Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s are done! My son is back in school and life is finally getting back to normal. Watching the Christmas season go by is always exhausting, and we don’t even celebrate it! During Hanukkah, we shouldn’t have to worry about … Continue reading →

Being the only Jew in your class

My son Alex is 6. At first glance he doesn’t look like he is any different then the other kids in his class. In fact, you would never know he is a minority unless you talked to him about Christmas or Easter. All his life he has known he does not celebrate Christmas because he’s Jewish. He accepts it and relishes on the fact he gets presents for Hanukkah. But at times it’s weird when he’s the only Jewish child in his class. In fact, he’s the only one in his grade. There is only one other Jewish child in … Continue reading →