For interfaith Jewish-Christian families, seasons with dual holiday can be difficult, says Minnesota Public Radio News. Jewish Passover (Pesach) and Christian Easter (and Lent if you’re Catholic) always overlap. When the Hanukkah-Christmas holiday seasons coincide these can be troublesome for the multi-faith family, too. The Hanukkah observance is set by the Jewish calendar and can land anywhere between November and December in the western calendar. On years when Hanukkah comes in November, it may not be so chaotic for interfaith parents. Here are tips for interfaith parents on how to juggle dual religious holiday observances. .
Significance of holy days in faith traditions
Alison and Ethan Sommers are mixed-faith parents: she is Christian and he is Jewish. Alison explained to MPR that one way they balance the conflicting holiday schedule is to consider the significance of each holiday within the specific faith. Hanukkah is a lesser Jewish celebration, while Christmas is a pinnacle for Christians. They celebrate both, but emphasize Christmas. When Jewish high holy days come around, like Yom Kippur and passover, those celebrations may take precedence. For assorted religious holidays, like Sukkot, Ash Wednesday, Purim, All Saint’s Day and various feast days, some families weave both into to the calendar. They look for historical and religious connections for the two traditions.
Other celebrations in the holiday season
Depending upon their family origins and faith, parents may also celebrate other feast days or holidays within Hanukkah-Christmas season: St. Nicholas Day (Dec.6), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec.12), St. Lucia Day (Dec.13), Winter Solstice (Dec.21 for 2011), Kwanzaa (fluctuating), Boxing Day (Dec. 26), New Year’s Day and Solemnity of Mary (Jan.1) and Epiphany (Jan.6) all fall within the blanket holiday season. December birthdays also add to the busyness of the season. MPR interviewed Jewish-Christian parents that celebrate a number of events in the holiday season. One coping strategy they suggested, whatever the season dates for Hanukkah, was to simplify by cutting down on gift-giving, spending, decorations and activities. They looked for ways to highlight the most meaningful elements of Hanukkah and Christmas and minimize the non-essentials.
Co-celebrate or not
Parents have created different patterns for mutual observances. Some create their own traditions, sticking to the secular and avoiding the religious aspects. Others observe both traditions simultaneously. Advice from religious leaders is mixed, says MPR. Some say that co-celebrating may not be healthiest for children, especially if there is animosity between the two families. Children might experience their mixed faith background better by participating in religious observances with the side of the family that celebrates it.
Other interfaith parenting options
Journalists Cokie and Steve Roberts have maintained an interfaith family (Catholic and Jewish) for 45 years. In this time, the Roberts’ shared holiday balancing tips in their joint newspaper column. They co-authored “From This Day Forward ” about managing marriage and parenting from two religious backgrounds. Earlier this year, Good Morning America discussed the Roberts’ newest book ” Our Haggadah ” a guide to celebrating interfaith religious ceremonies.