I would like to ask Shanan Glandz, the author of “Holidays lost in ambiguity,” to imagine for a moment an America where Christianity is not the dominant religion but only a small minority. In this country, from Thanksgiving until the first day of Hanukkah, almost everyone in this country says “Happy Hanukkah” as the de facto greeting. Blue and white lights are everywhere. At the beginning of December, Al Roker hosts the unveiling of a 90-foot menorah at Rockefeller Center.

Now try to imagine how it would feel when a Jewish student from Ithaca College argues in the school paper that her right to express her religious freedom is impinged upon by those who want to keep her from saying “Happy Hanukkah,” completely ignoring the fact that more than three-fourths of the people in this country are Jewish, every president in the country’s history has been Jewish and many stores in her town are closed on Saturdays to celebrate the Sabbath. Then convert this imaginary America into one ruled by Islam, Buddhism, atheism or any other minority religious identification.  

Ms. Glandz, I surely understand the desire to celebrate one’s religion, but out of respect for those in the “giant mosaic of different cultures,” as you describe the U.S., I refrain from offering my “Happy Hanukkahs” to anyone but those who share my faith. I would hope you save your “Merry Christmases” and “yuletide exclamations” for those who share your faith as well.

Emily Epstein '09