Do I offend if I say 'happy Hanukkah' to Jewish people when I'm Christian?

Question

I said this to a co-worker last year at the beginning of Hanukkah and she acted offended. I know I had the right date, and I know she was Jewish, but I'm Christian. Should I have apologized? Anti-Semites, keep hateful comments to yourself, please.

monarch 441, it was just in the context of everybody giving holiday greetings, and I thought she must get sick of hearing Merry Christmas and happy holidays and no one ever recognizing her special celebration. I promise I didn't make a big show of saying it. Maybe she was just having a bad day.

Answer 1

You did a lovely thing and if your colleague reacted badly, she's meshuganah (crazy) :)

I'm Jewish and I would be very touched if a non Jew wished me Happy Chanukah. Please don't let this one colleague change your kindness, OK?

I wish my Christian friends Happy Xmas, which if you think about it is the same thing as you wishing us Happy Chanukah!

Answer 2

Goodness no. You shouldnt apologise at all, I actually feel it very heartwarming when someone makes/or says such a nice gesture like that.
Take last year when Tony Blair donned a Kippot and lit the menorah (yes I feel part of that was to be media friendly) towards the peace process with Israel etc. But its a lovely thing when a non Jewish friend says to me "Happy Hanukkah."

Shalom my friend.

Answer 3

That would depend on what else was said in the conversation, and the spirit in which you offered your words, and the spiritual condition of the people you said it to. Unless people know you, they are never quite sure of what you intend by your words. I can imagine the wariness the Jews must feel, and how they must guard against ridicule for their beliefs and traditions. There may also have been contempt on their part, as many don't believe non-jews know anything about them, and don't appreciate what they percieve as someone's clumsy, ignorant comments. If that was the case, it's THEIR PROBLEM. Sometimes, the situation is awkward, at best. Only you know what you intended.

Answer 4

I'm not Jewish, and I don't know any Jewish people, but I don't see why anyone would be offended if you wished them a happy Hanukkah.

Answer 5

Maybe she doesn't celebrate it. Our pastor has contact with Jews from Isreal and on his programs he puts on the internet, he says Happy Hanukkah and has not ever had any Jewish of any kind give him "hate" mail for it. (He gets hate mail from people all over, all the time.)

Answer 6

It shouldn't have been offending, I'm not jewish either and I always say "Hag Hanukkah Sameah" (Hag means celebration, Sameah means happy) to my jewish friends and none ever felt offended

Answer 7

I said that to my Jewish boss and he seemed appreciative that I knew better. I figure if we want to be inclusive, we should also be specific, instead of going with the rather inane "happy holidays".

Answer 8

You said this to her because you care about her and you were being thoughtful. You should definitely not take it personally or let it limit your good tidings to others. You know there are a lot of people out there who are not as kind as you are, she may have encountered one of those and still feel bitter. I think we should pray for her that she finds peace about this.

Answer 9

I can't see why she was offended. Unless she thought you were making fun of her for being Jewish-possible. I think its very appropriate to honor other people's religious traditions by verbally acknowledging them.

Answer 10

I can't see why it would be a problem.