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Original poster

Can I have some opinions on this please? Giving out Dreidel and Gelt to DDs classmates in C of E school

101 replies

PipinwasAuntieMabelsdog · 04/12/2022 12:14

Would this offend/make you think we as the only Jewish parents in school had a 'problem' with Christmas? We really don't, we are more cultural than religious and DD is at a non religious school as we are concerned about security at Jewish Schools.

DD is in reception and has been coming home with Christmas cards and candy canes and things from her friends. We think this is lovely and not a problem at all! The others have been talking about Santa and Christmas too, DD just says, 'We don't have Christmas.' We have told her never to say we don't believe in Santa, as other children would be very upset to hear this. Friends have been asking her what she does in the holidays.

DH and I were thinking of buying some wooden dreidels from Amazon, giving out some parev (dairy free, due to allergies) gelt and a little card with the rules of the game and a few lines about Channuka and a message: 'Thank you for being my friend and have a love time in the holidays! from DD and Family'

Would you be OK with this, or would it be too much? I have autism, so don't want to do anything 'wrong' or make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Thanks,

Pip x

OP posts:
EL8888 · 04/12/2022 14:08

Yes from me. A lovely idea. Would love it if one of my children’s class mates parents did this

ofwarren · 04/12/2022 14:10

My children go to a CofE school and I'd think this was lovely.
Their great Grandparents were Jewish on my DH side so it would be great to discuss with them.
They do cover Hanukkah at school but that would bring it more to life for them.

EmilyGilmoresSass · 04/12/2022 14:15

I'd be delighted. In today's world, I want my daughter to embrace all types of cultural norms and values as she meets them. Not just our own. I find learning about other cultures fascinating and I'd be delighted in this circumstance on her behalf, I certainly wouldn't be offended.

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Primary education
MuggleMe · 04/12/2022 14:17

Jesus was a Jew. I love the idea. Perhaps some instructions where to find out how to use the dreidel

Toddlerteaplease · 04/12/2022 14:17

It sounds a lovely idea. But could someone explain what a Dreidal is?

AllPlayedOut · 04/12/2022 14:22

It sounds a lovely idea. But could someone explain what a Dreidal is?

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/dreidel/

jamoncrumpets · 04/12/2022 14:30

We would love this. My 4yo knows a bit about Chanukah from Blippi and would be delighted with her own dreidel!

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 04/12/2022 15:03

A little girl did this is my year 1 class. We were studying celebrations in RE and she told us all about Chanukah. It was a lovely experience for all of us.

beachcitygirl · 04/12/2022 15:04

Lovely idea

35965a · 04/12/2022 15:06

Lovely idea. My kids would love this too, at this age they’re all so curious and really enjoy finding out about other faiths and cultures.

Ponderingwindow · 04/12/2022 15:10

Are people joking about not knowing about dreidels?

also have ASD and sometimes I can’t tell if people are serious or if there really are places where this information doesn’t somehow get taught to people.

ChristmasJoysuckers · 04/12/2022 15:12
  1. Christmas is a hodge Podge of pagan, Roman, cocs cola, Dickens and Christian so it is not solely religious at all 2) I think that's a really lovely Idea! I would be delighted, however I would be nervous about home made foods at this time of year with all the illness but it's a lovely idea, go for it.
JustCakeInDrag · 04/12/2022 15:12

Ponderingwindow · 04/12/2022 15:10

Are people joking about not knowing about dreidels?

also have ASD and sometimes I can’t tell if people are serious or if there really are places where this information doesn’t somehow get taught to people.

They aren’t joking but they also don’t seem able to operate Google.

AllPlayedOut · 04/12/2022 15:12

Are people joking about not knowing about dreidels?

I doubt that they're joking. I don't think that Jewish traditions are commonly taught in most areas. They certainly weren't in mine. I know what they are though but I certainly wasn't taught about them in school.

ChristmasJoysuckers · 04/12/2022 15:13

I've never heard that word until this thread

StopStartStop · 04/12/2022 15:14

Talk to the teacher first, so you don't take them by surprise. But I think it is a lovely idea. They might want you to talk to the class about your traditions...

GalesThisMorning · 04/12/2022 15:14

I do something similar, I go into class and read the kids a children's story about Hanukkah, demonstrate an (unlit) menorah, we spin the dreidel and make Hanukkah cards (from twinkle sheets you can print online). I've done this with all my kids in primary school.

I'm also not religious but my kids friends might not meet another Jewish person for many years as our area is really monocultural. It's alway gone down well, the other kids seem to get something from it, as did my children.

SusiePevensie · 04/12/2022 15:15

Top plan - go ahead.

Proneu82 · 04/12/2022 15:15

Nice idea

but will be landfill by the new year Op

i wouldn’t bother

AllPlayedOut · 04/12/2022 15:16

Why would a wooden dreidel be landfill? A lot of kids would love that. I certainly would have treasured it.

Tillylime · 04/12/2022 15:21

Ponderingwindow · 04/12/2022 15:10

Are people joking about not knowing about dreidels?

also have ASD and sometimes I can’t tell if people are serious or if there really are places where this information doesn’t somehow get taught to people.

I'm 65 and have never heard of dreidel before, and I have Jewish friends.
I knew Hannukah involved 12 days and some candles.
I didn't google it because i assumed someone on here would be happy to briefly tell me.

I wouldn't expect a non Catholic to know what the Angelus bell is.

Proneu82 · 04/12/2022 15:23

AllPlayedOut · 04/12/2022 15:16

Why would a wooden dreidel be landfill? A lot of kids would love that. I certainly would have treasured it.

These children are 4
It is Christmas time. Presents galore plus cracker presents

sure some will keep and treasure

I would put money on the vast majority lost or landfill by new year

money better off charity or not spent

nocoolnamesleft · 04/12/2022 15:23

Sounds like a lovely idea. My mum used to teach at a Catholic school, but where there were also children from other faiths. It was seen as a real positive when families were happy to share their faith and culture.

Greydogs123 · 04/12/2022 15:25

I think school would appreciate it as a chance to talk about other faiths and beliefs! Lovely idea.

AllPlayedOut · 04/12/2022 15:26

It's hardly a waste of money if it teaches them about Judaism and Hanukkah. It's no more a waste than many stocking fillers and less so than most I imagine. It's something they're unlikely to receive elsewhere.

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