[etni] Fw: re: Halloween? YES! Why not!!??

From: "Ask" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2005 12:20:34 +0200

----- Original Message ----- From: Loubna Dakwar - loubna@xxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Halloween? YES! Why not!!??

A comment on Adele's Point of view.

I think that all of those events , whether they are Halloween, Christmas , Eid Al Fiter or Hanuka, should be referred to in the classroom ,regardless of the cultural context be it Christian , Muslim or Jewish. I, for example teach many students who have been fasting for a whole month , because of Ramadan , I could not possibly ignore this matter ,and I taught a lot of vocabulary that are related to this issue. Similarly with Christmas or any other religious or current event that takes place in Israel, for I also teach Christian students who are Israeli citizens,and not Americans. However, those events should not be overemphasized. They should be taught within their own cultural or religious context. In this way cultural and religious tolerance can be enhanced in the classroom , an issue that is mostly needed in our country.

Speaking of religious events, happy Eid for those teachers and students who are celebrating Eid Alfitter.

All the best,
Loubna Dakwar

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.

------------------------------------------------------------

Adele wrote:

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!

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[etni] Fw: re: Halloween? YES! Why not!!??

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