Jew not offended




I’d like to respond to the Cindy Seiff letter of Dec. 22, criticizing Ms. Smith’s letter of wishing people would use the traditional greeting of Merry Christmas, rather than Happy Holidays.

I am Jewish and Ms. Seiff does not speak for me, my Jewish friends or Jewish acquaintances in this matter. I abhor the cult of political correctness and take no umbrage if I am wished Merry Christmas because I am secure in my Judaism.

I simply say, “Thank you. I celebrate Hanukkah, but I wish you a Merry Christmas.” The other person usually wishes me a Happy Hanukkah and we go our separate ways—no harm done, no bitter feelings. It’s as simple as that.

In a world filled with genuine problems of immense gravity, this particular issue is little more than a tempest in a tea pot at best. In the Jewish tradition of tikkun olan (repair the world), I think Ms. Seiff owes Ms. Smith an apology— not for her thoughts on this issue, but for what I believe to be the strident and demeaning tone of her letter.

Jerry Cutler
Agoura Hills



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