Xmas Parties

Answer

While it is very considerate of many businesses to give their parties more "neutral" names, I think it's a bit much to demand it. We are a welcomed minority in this country and we should respect the customs of the majority without expecting them to bend over backwards for us.

Indeed we don't celebrate the festivals of other religions. But most gatherings of this type have no religious content at all, and are just a nice way to end the working year. I see no problem with attending an event that is only connected to a non-Jewish festival by name.

So does this mean you have rabbinical permission to go to the Xmas drinks? Not yet. First allow me to ask you: are you planning to do something special to celebrate Chanukah this year? It would be a sad irony if you found yourself at several Xmas parties but missed out on celebrating your own festival.

Whether it be the Chanukah dinner we are hosting, one of the public Menorah lightings, or just getting together with the family and lighting candles at home, make sure you connect to the Festival of Lights this year.

We are blessed to live in an open, multicultural society. But we can only contribute to it if we are aware of our own culture...and proud of it.