Dusting off the ‘ole blog just in time for the Holidays and New Years Resolutions (I will post daily! Really!).

So I was walking outside of Eaton Collection in Woodmere, OH, an arguably “high end” shopping center about 20 miles southeast of Cleveland. It just so happened that it was the second night of Hanukkah. I had noticed earlier that some people were setting up for some sort of public event inside the main mall area. Then outside, I noticed two young men in yarmulkes were prepping a large, probably 10′ tall, menorah and some speaker equipment. Seems as though there was a holiday event that night. Hooray for holidays!

I was raised Catholic in a neighborhood that had seemingly just as many Temples as Churches. So I had a pretty good exposure to the Jewish culture, from fully reformed, barely practicing, all the way up to the very Orthodox. Therefore, I’ve developed a respect for their annual festival of light. Actually, any holidays that incorporate the spirit of celebration, peace, life, lights, love and/or gift giving are A-OK with me.

So later when I was headed to my car, an Orthodox guy, probably near my age, nervously began to walk along side me and wished me a Happy Hanukkah. I smiled warmly, thanked him and wished him a Happy Hanukkah in return. I turned away and kept walking to my car and he walked briskly to keep up. “Are you Jewish?” he said? I replied, “Sorry, no I’m not.” He looked puzzled for a moment and said, “Oh, well have a good evening!” I smiled again and said, “Happy Holidays to you!” He seemed to relax a bit, perked up and smiled, and wished me the same in return.

It was at that point that I noticed they were beginning the Menorah lighting ceremony. Having never witnessed one, I decided to stick around. I politely stayed near the back of the crowd, but observed the 5 minute ceremony, which included a song, a few prayers  (in English and Hebrew), and I applauded and cheered with the crowd as the lights were lit. I  then continued on my way.

In spirit, this was really very much like the tree lighting I attend in Chagrin Falls every year that I love so much. All so similar. Again, all done in the spirit of peace, life, light, and love. Lights, music, etc. Everyone gathered together in the cold to celebrate! These are all good things, so I honor all flavors of it.

The thing that struck me was how surprised and almost uncomfortable the guy on the sidewalk was when I said I was not Jewish. Was it because I thanked him for the Hanukkah wishes and wished him a happy one in return? I hope I wasn’t rude or anything. And I also hope I wasn’t reading too much into his body language. But overall, it brought to mind the huge “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” debate of the last few years. “PUT THE CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS”. “I DISREGARD ANYONE WHO WISHES ME A HAPPY HOLIDAY…IT’S CHRISTMAS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!”

Well, honestly, I think when it comes to stores and official large organizations making it a policy to say Happy Holidays, it’s in response to anyone who isn’t Christian who is equally as uppity as the “Christ in Christmas” folks. “Address me properly, even though you have no idea who I am or what religion I practice or I will complain to your district manager!” Uppity is uppity, and uppity is annoying.

It’s complete B.S. People are so often at odds over the specific dance moves surrounding their various religions, that they forget that at the core, your average religious text (all of the extremist crap aside) is ultimately trying to guide their flock to be essentially “good”. Praying for peace, comforting the sick, assisting the needy, all that jazz. Mitzvah. Grace. Karma. Hasanat. This all has to do with being decent to other people.

When someone wishes you a Happy Holiday, or they mistake you for Jewish and wish you Happy Hanukkah, or for Christian and wish you Merry Christmas, or are terrified of pissing you off and wish you a Happy Holiday, I recommend that you smile brightly, warmly, and with honest eye contact, and wish that other person the same. Because it is very likely that person is wishing you happiness during the “Holiday Season” out of the goodness of their heart. Out of a spirit of warmth and humanity. It’s a good thing people! Quit complaining!

Happy WhateverTheHellHolidayYouCelebrate!

And I say that with my sincerest wishes for you and your family to have a lifetime of peace, life, light, love…and maybe some presents.

xo
en