The Jewish Take on Halloween

While Jewish law may say no to trick-or-treating, plenty of Jewish families say yes

From Kveller

To many, if not most, American Jewish parents, participating in Halloween revelries is considered harmless fun. Increasingly, however, rabbis and educators have challenged Jewish participation in Halloween activities. To be fair, the holiday does have pagan origins and it was later adopted by the Catholic Church. So it is understandable why some Jews would be tepid about celebrating a religious holiday that was never their own.

Yet, plenty of Jewish parents doll up their kids in capes and wigs and send them off in search of the perfect candy collection. Whether or not you decide to celebrate Halloween with your family comes down to what feels right for you.

Here’s some background on the different Jewish approaches to Halloween.

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The ‘Save the Princess’ Message Hurts Boys, Too

By Zsofia McMullin for The Motherlode in the NYTimes

I have a 5-year-old little boy, a living room filled with boxes of soldiers, swords and Matchbox cars, and a complicated relationship with fairy tales and the princes and princesses who live in them.

A part of me loves it when my son decides to play princess. It does happen from time to time — when we break out the nail polish and the sparkly eye shadow; he brushes my hair, puts on my necklaces and we watch Sophia the First. I am excited when he wants to explore a different part of himself, and I secretly enjoy this kind of activity. He is an only child and will always be an only child, and playing princess is something I know how to do without thinking. (Go figure!)

But then there are days when we sit down to play with his Playmobil figures and he announces that my princess figurine is not allowed to have a sword. “Why not?” I ask as I rebelliously attach a tiny gold sword to her hand, only for it to be ripped out again. “Because princesses don’t know how to use swords.” “So what am I going to do when the enemy attacks?” “Well, you just stay in the castle and wait for me, O.K.?”

Oh, all right.

Because clearly that is what princesses do in many movies and books: They wait for their prince to rescue them. There are many things that are wrong with this if you are the mother of a girl, but I am starting to feel like mothers of boys should be just as wary of this princess-myth.

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Audio: Top Ten Best Sukkot and Simchat Torah Songs

A musical journey through Simchat Torah and Sukkot featuring hassidic music, metal, hip-hop, mizrachi, sephardic and more from Israel National Radio Podcast.

This week the Israel Beat Jewish Music Podcast takes you on a musical journey through the Jewish holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah featuring hassidic music, metal, hip-hop, mizrachi, sephardic and more.

Hear different versions of the haunting and poignant classic by Naomi Shemer "Shlomit Builds a Sukkah" sung by Dudu Zaccai, Mashina and the Latma comedy troupe.

Plus an acapella hip-hop succah song from Y-Love. Also, listen to the Simchas Torah classic Mipi El from Daklon, Zion Golan, Eli Dali's Metal Prayer, and more. Also, Avraham Fried sings that Hakafot. Don't miss this diverse and danceable show.

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Online Activities for the Kids for Sukkot

What are your kids doing to prepare for Sukkot? Check out fun and games, coloring pages, create greeting cards and more from TorahTots.com 

 

Check out Jvillage’s High Holiday+    page.



While you're at it, check out our High Holidays Holiday Spotlight Kit for more great ideas, recipes, and activities for kids.