Nosh & Knowledge - The December Dilemma

December Dilemma

The December Dilemma is that time of year where multiple holidays collide and when people with good intentions can find themselves in the middle of potentially toxic misunderstandings. The weeks leading up to Christmas are a time when many Americans who are not Christian (Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.) feel conscious about not being a part of the Christian majority.  

Holidays around this time of year include:

• Some years, depending on their calendar, Eid al-Fitr, a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan in the Muslim faith.
• Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. 
• Bodhi Day, a Buddhist holiday celebrating Siddhartha Guatama’s (the Buddha’s) realization and presentation to his fellow seekers of the Four Noble Truths. 
• Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. 
• Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. 
• Kwanzaa, a week-long secular holiday honoring African American heritage. 
• The Lunar New Year, a traditional Chinese holiday marking the end of winter.
• Yule, a Wiccan or Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice.

Be a part of round table discussions with community members and leaders from different faiths and ethnicities to discuss the December dilemma and gain a greater understanding of the variety of holidays and how best to navigate this time of year.

Date: Thursday, November 30 | Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: JCC Multi-Purpose Room

Suggested Donation of $5.

To register for these programs, please contact Nancy Sentelik at 330.746.3251 ext. 108 or nsentelik@jewishyoungstown.org