Being the only Jew in your classby Debbie LaCroix | More from this Blogger 22 Dec 2006 01:39 PM 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 his school. What's it like being a minority? Everywhere he goes there are signs during this season that remind him Santa does not come to our home. In fact, he's made the observation that Santa has people come and fill in for him at the malls and other places Santa visits since he can't be everywhere at once. I do not want my Jewish son being the one who tells the other kids that Santa is a magical figure of our minds, so I let him believe. He has no problem not getting a visit. Being Jewish is who he is. In school, I've noticed a pattern of excitement at Christmas time when a teacher realizes she has a Jewish child in her class! Every year Alex gets to teach about his beliefs and what Hanukkah really is. Last week my husband and I came to class bearing Latkes and driedels. Alex and I taught about the miracle of lights and what Hanukkah is really about (not eight days of presents.) It was an opportunity for him to be in the spotlight while sharing who he is. I was so proud of him! Happy holidays everyone! Learn more about Debbie LaCroix  Debbie is a work at home mom to two active boys. She is the owner of http://www.passiontosuccess.com, a website that offers tools , information, job listings and a message board to help you succeed. Relevantjewish tags User Comments Beruchya (5) 22 Dec 2006 01:02 PMHello, What a nice article. My daughter is one of 2 Jewish girls in her class--but I think there are a few Jewish children in her school. We do live in a very Christian neighborhood, though. The Kindergarten teacher was so nice and had all the children learned some Chanukah songs as well as Christmas songs for the school performance, and having found out that we were Jewish, helped my daughter make a clay menorah, and invited me to help to a craft table for their holiday day. I had been nervous, as a newly-beginning-observant Jew, to make my daughter feel uncomfortable in her classroom atmosphere-but instead, it all went smoothly.  Miriam Metzinger |
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