2007-12-03 07:14:20 · 12 answers · asked by Beth S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Hanukkah
Sure. It's a nice thing to do, but it's not really expected or anything, and you shouldn't feel obliged. Since Chanukah by its very nature can't have any real significance to a non-Jew (if you study the history and philosophy behind the holiday, you'll see why), it's kind of superfluous. On the other hand, it shows cultural sensitivity (as long as you're not wishing it to them several weeks after the holiday ends, which happens to me all the time, with people who don't check their calendar, or assume it always runs through Christmas) and goodwill, and those are both good things. In any event, should you want to wish your Jewish friends a happy Chanukah, "Happy Chanukah" would suffice. But try to understand that, depending on their own level or religious observance, they may not wish you a Merry Christmas - it's nothing personal, just a religious thing.
Happy Chanukah is fine, Happy Holidays is more PC (I actually find it kind of offensive, though I don't get upset at the person who says it - see my answer to this question of you want to learn more: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Avy.QFW4VEpYC9KudlOUghfty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071202121642AAzUEVx&show=7#profile-info-POfR4v6laa ), and Merry Christmas is something you really shouldn't say to a Jew. I mean, if you were to say it without thinking (it's amazing how many Christians today are completely oblivious to the fact that Jews do not celebrate their holidays, when "Christ-killer" was a popular label forced on us until not long ago), and your Jewish friend got upset, it probably has more to do with him or her being uptight than their being Jewish. However, a sensitive individual should realize that not all Jews (at least the religiously-observant ones) do not celebrate Christmas, and Christmas is not a Jewish holiday.
I hope this helps clear things up more than it muddles them, and if you have any further questions on inter-religious etiquette, I happen to be an orthodox Jew who was brought up Protestant Christian, so I've seen things from both sides, and could probably prove helpful - feel free to contact me directly.
All the best!
2007-12-06 06:41:47 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, not only appropriate but also very sweet of you :)
I am always thrilled and very touched when a non Jewish friend or colleague is thoughtful enough to wish me a happy Chanukah.
And may I take this chance to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!
2007-12-03 21:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jewish Person
2016-10-04 11:03:59 · answer #3 · answered by capoccia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it's appropriate. You simply say Happy Hanukkah.,
2007-12-05 01:20:01 · answer #4 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please do! I am so tired of everyone ignoring the fact that I'm celebrating a holiday! I get "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" but never "Happy Chanukah!"
Why would you be afraid to mention it? It's a nice thing to say!
You might also try Happy New Year around Rosh Hashannah/Yom Kippur time, or Happy Passover at Passover time, as well.
I love it when people remember!
PS I DO wish my Christian friends a Merry Christmas, after all.
2007-12-03 08:43:41 · answer #5 · answered by LJ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! If you know for sure that they are Jewish, say happy Hanukkah or just say happy holidays if not sure.
2007-12-03 07:41:36 · answer #6 · answered by Cheripie 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i love it very much when my non-jewish friends remember to wish me a happy hanukkah. i
get wished a merry x-mas all the time and would prefer then to say happy holidays if they need to say anything.
2007-12-03 07:37:42 · answer #7 · answered by tiedyelime81 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Sure, it's appropriate and I'm sure they'd appreciate it. They probably get sick and tired of being wished a "Merry Christmas" this time of year. If you celebrate Christmas, I'm sure they'd wish you a Merry Christmas. You could send them a card (they have Hanukkah cards in the stores) or tell them in person, email....whatever.
2007-12-03 07:22:58 · answer #8 · answered by First Lady 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
im not jewish and my best friend ever in the history of all times is jewish and i wish her a happy hannuka and she LOVES IT! all the teachers tell her merry christmas and she gets really mad cause shes all like "um escoosay mua but im jewish" lol! so yeah go ahead and happy hannuka away because shell be happy that u honor her tradtitions and beliefs.
-Bailes and Ayla
2007-12-03 07:39:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
yea it is i love it when my non-jewish friends wish me a happy channuka. i always get told "merry christmas" it gets alittle annoying but its the thought that counts that people who dont know me still wish me a happy holiday. but yea you should it will make them very happy i always say merry christmas to my friends who celebrate it. and i love it when they wish me a happy channuka, so go for it!
2007-12-03 10:46:45 · answer #10 · answered by courtney 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋