----- Original Message -----
From: "Adele Raemer and Laurie Levy" <raemer@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Halloween? YES! Why not!!??
Daniel wrote:
I mean no disrespect to our Christian teachers and students but I really do not believe that we should be promoting Halloween in Israel in Jewish and Moslem schools. It is a pagen holiday in origin and totally inappropriate for Israelis. If we are looking to promote cultural experiences why not do something on Sukkot and Hanukkah? Also while I am ranting and raving Valentine's Day is also a very problematic American event. There is a rich Jewish culture and our religion is full of ideas. We do not need to emulate the gentile world. I came on Aliyah to get away from American pop culture: Christmas decorations, Halloween and Valentine's day.
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According to the English curriculum which we use as a guideline for our teaching, one of the Domains is Appreciation of Literature and Culture. The progression is as follows:
Appreciation of Literature and Culture
Foundation Level : Pupils become acquainted with and relate to short literary texts written in simple language, appropriate to their age and interest.
Intermediate Level: Pupils are aware that their culture is different from other cultures.
Proficiency Level: Pupils become acquainted with norms and behaviors in a variety of cultures. Pupils gain cultural, historical and social insight from reading unadapted literary texts.
Pupils develop critical perspectives toward different cultural values and norms
IMHO we do not achieve these by only teaching about Hannuka and Succot, or even by teaching about ALL of the Jewish holidays. We live in a global village. People around the world know about Halloween and Christmas. Don't you think our kids should know about it, as well? And what would you say if kids in a school in middle America, (or Russia or a country in Europe, the Middle East or anyplace else in the world) were taught about Hanuka? You would say that they were being open minded and progressive! (If only.....). So how can you object to it here? I am not saying NOT to teach abut the Jewish holidays, but I think that if we can introduce Halloween, Xmas, Ramadan, Lammas Eve or the Seminole Green Corn Dance, through reading about and even experiencing customs from these holidays, we will be widening our learners' horizons, teaching them openness and tolerance, and English to boot!
~Adele
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