I should have seen this coming. After all, my son refers to Kinder Surprise eggs as “Easter eggs”. Even the ones that my mom brought back from Israel with Hebrew writing on them – Easter Eggs! I digress…
Sitting in the car the other day, my son started singing some of the new songs he learned in nursery school. All of a sudden, he belts out “Jingle Bells”. May I remind you, it’s only the first week of November. While I don’t so much have any problem that he’s started singing Christmas carols so early, it’s the fact that he’s singing them with so much enthusiasm that has me weak at the knees. You see, we’re Jewish.
I’m fully aware of the fact that sooner or later my son would have learned this song even if I tried to shelter him (which I don’t). We live in Canada and Christmas songs are constantly played on the radio and in the malls months before the holiday even begins. I’m not one to criticise Christmas or any part of it. In fact, I enjoy the holiday, even as a (semi) devout Jew (I did marry a non-Jew after all). What got me at least a little riled up was the following dialogue that played out with my son shortly after he finished singing Jingle Bells
Me: Where did you learn that song Kyle?
Kyle: In nursery school. Pia taught it to us
Me: You should ask Pia to teach you some Chanukah songs. Tell her that you’re Jewish and we celebrate Chanukah and ask her if she knows any Chanukah songs.
Kyle: No! I like Jingle Bells….. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way…. (etc…)
When he finished singing, I again approached the subject
Me: Want to learn a new Chanukah song? It’s really awesome, and it goes likes this “dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay and when it’s dry and ready, a dreidel I will play…”
Kyle sings: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way…. (etc…)
Again, I tried to persuade him to just CONSIDER liking a Jewish-y song. After all, it was my duty to instill a sense of Judaism in him. Even though we have Shabbat dinner every Friday night with my family, light the candles, say the blessings, often speak Hebrew at home, etc… I’m not sure my son understands that he’s “Jewish” or what religion really is. After all, we never really discusses it! It is a bit of a touchy subject at our house, and something that I take for granted I guess.
So after a few minutes, I tried again:
ME: Want to learn a super awesome cool Jewish song? It goes like this: “Shabbat Shalom, HEY! Shabbat Shalom, HEY! Shabbat, Shabbat, Shabbat, Shalom…HEY!”
Kyle: No… I like Jingle Bells.
So I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I’ve already spoken to his teachers and I’ll be joining him in class to teach my son and his peers all about Chanukah. I’ll teach them songs, show them how to play dreidel, bring potato latkes, and make art and craft menora’s. I’ve also looked up every possible arts and crafts activity associated with Chanukah on Pinterest so I can do some with him at home. I also hit up the dollar store for Chanukah decorations and put out all of our Chanukah books on display on our counters as “feature books of the month.”
What do you think? Am I over reacting or would you do the same if you were in my situation?
Don’t sweat it. He is still young :-). Like you said you married outside of your religion. It is important that he knows his traditions while he can enjoy everyone else’s. Jingle bells is the least religous song out there. He will be fine and he will appreciate his customs as he gets older. After all he does have an amazing mom and dad. :-).
You’re so right Sebastian. Thanks for putting it in perspective. I’m def. a believer that it’s important to learn about everyone’s religion and customs. That’s truly the only way we can all live in peace and harmony. I guess I was just caught off-guard and a little sad that one of his favourite new songs isn’t a Chanuka one 🙁
Great post! We have the opposite problem. S is in a religious Jewish preschool and she’s learning way more about the religion that we practice at home. A lot of her pretend play is religious and she davens too. I’m very happy she’s learning all of this but it is more than what we do and sometimes is weird to me and my husband.
I think by going into Kyle’s class it’s the best thing you can do to teach and expose him and his friends to Chanukah. I’m sure your Chanukah lesson will rock 🙂
The best way to teach kids is through exposure and reinforcement so the more Chanukah is reinforced the more he will be excited about it!
Oh yes. I hear that’s very common. I know my brother and his wife had the same worry for their oldest son.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m totally going to make them that chanuka art and craft that you posted on your blog. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
It’s a very tricky situation, and one that I can identify with entirely. Have you seen the Chabad dreidel song video? found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhRH8b4CVu “Nothing you can saydel, to keep me from my dreidel, cause dreidel is the best game in the world”
oh no! The link doesn’t work. I totally want to check it out. Any advice btw??
I don’t even think of Jingle Bells as a Christmas song – just a song about having fun in the wintertime! I think it’s great that you are going to his school to help out. Great way to have his friends think your traditions are cool!