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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