In the past my work has decorated for the holidays by running strings of lights inside and out. Today they bought and set up a Christmas tree. Not a big deal right? Well, it wouldn’t be, except that I’m jewish. I don’t mind the lights since they really just create a festive atmosphere and there is no religious connotation in lights.

The tree though, that’s another story. The moment a tree is set up, I expect a menorah as well. Is that wrong? I made it a point to ask when the Hanukah party was when the e-mail about the “Christmas Party” went out. I was just being a smart ass then, but a tree carries significant religious connotation.

True, the history of the tree dates back to druids burning evergreens in a winter solstice ritual, but it was adopted by early christians in an attempt to convert the pagans and now is a christian symbol.

When I was growing up, we did not have a tree. That meant we were different. I was 12 or 13 before I experienced any sort of involvment with a tree. Our neighbors invited me to help decorate theirs. I was clueless as to what I was supposed to do. Now my only involvment is when I hang a single ornament on the tree at my in-laws and pull gifts out from beneath the same tree the next day.

In the future Gianna (the wife) and I will probably have both a menorah and a tree (in fact we’d have a tree this year if we weren’t moving), but regardless of all that. I’m jewish and feel I deserve to be represented in the holiday decor.

So anyhow, I asked about the menorah and was told one is on its way (in other words they forgot and will get one). I thanked this person as they walked past my office. They then proceeded to put a small little Christmas stocking on the desk next to me and walk out . In fact, she’s been in here a couple of times. Would it be wrong now to ask where my dreydel is?

Update 12/6/2002: Yeah. So today this person comes by and asks if it’s still okay to put a menorah out since tonight is the last night (or is it tomorrow?). I pointed out to her that the point is to represent Hanukah, not celebrate it. It’s not Christmas and the tree’s out isn’t it?