Chanukah and Santa

Question

Dear Rabbi,

My 4.5 year old had a Bris, his first trip to Israel was for a cousins wedding when he was 10 months old, when you walk into our house the first thing you see is a Star of David. He has also been attending Jewish preschool for 2.5 years and every summer spends a month in Hebrew camp. I do my best to ensure he is a good Jewish boy. However, this holiday season he keeps talking about Santa Claus. He asks if Santa likes the Jews and will he bring him presents. How will he get into our house if we have a fire going, and on and on. I keep telling him that we are Jewish and do not celebrate Christmas. But we celebrate Chanukah and the Russian new year. That mama and papa get him presents. I do not have the heart to say there is no Santa. Besides, he may repeat it at school and that isn’t fair to other children. I’m at a loss. I really don’t know what to do. Have you any advice? It may be important to note that I was not raised religious and grew up celebrating Christmas. My wife immigrated to the United States in her teens and grew up in a relatively strict Jewish household. Thank you for the time and help

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Firstly, please accept my blessing that your little prince grow up to be a source of immeasurable nachas to you and your wife.

    Personally, I think that what you are doing right now sounds like the best option. When he brings up the subject, keep telling your son that he is Jewish and that you do not celebrate the Christian holidays. As you have been doing, stress to him that on Chanukah he will get presents galore and lots of delicious treats! Will that stop him from asking about it all the time? Perhaps not. But, even if he does, he is getting an answer each time, and, hopefully, by next year he will have the subject out of his system.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team