Multicultural Night (religious, food)

[Gilah G.]

So, my 9 yr old comes home with a flyer about Multicultural Night at her public school.
They are looking for volunteers to set up booths in the cafeteria displaying their culture..
She was so excited and already coming up with ideas..... Challa, hummus, pita. Grapejuice,
Candles, Hebrew, history, pictures, dreidels, Maps, holidays, Jewish People who contributed greatly to society. She asked the only other Jewish Family to also sign up.
Guess what night this falls on???????







March 26 2013.


We have 2 days to sign up...daddy says NO WAY!
I say what better way to introduce the school to Matzah
And one of the most significant Holiday in our lives.

[JB from NC]

I know the dilemma.

Every time one of the local colleges or other venues sponsor a program that has any connection to Judaism (whether it is music, a play, etc.) they are quick to invite the local community.

The problem?

It's always on Friday night.

And the kids' schools aren't any better. They'll schedule events during Jewish holidays (knowing full well that they have Jewish kids in their class) and then complain when the kids are kept out of school for a religious observance.

There's enough multi-religious calendars out there that scheduling things shouldn't be this difficult.

[theflipflop]

I recently had a colleague at work ask me if I'd be willing to participate in a diversity and cultural sensitivity video at work. Of course, the filming was on Shabbos afternoon. Another similar example, huh?

[Gilah G.]

One of the other parents remarked that the only ones who show up for this event
Are immigrants, hardly any Caucasians as spectators.
Gut Shabbos everyone.
Or as they say in my area,
Shabbat Shalom Ya'll

(Don't cringe)

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Gilah G.

One of the other parents remarked that the only ones who show up for this event
Are immigrants, hardly any Caucasians as spectators.
Gut Shabbos everyone.
Or as they say in my area,
Shabbat Shalom Ya'll

(Don't cringe)

really, where we are almost everyone enjoys international night.

The matzoh is great (but pesach is still an unfortunate time for this, because even many less observant jews won't eat obvious chumetz, and many slightly more observant who would eat vegetarian food at an event like this, will be able to eat nothing (except for the matzoh from the Jewish table)

As for scheduling, it can be frustrating. sometimes its real time constraints, sometimes laziness or ignorance. Its good to keep reminding people, and to lobby school boards and local govts.

[1+1=5]

Shavua Tov, y'all,

I had a similar experience. Went to Yom Kippur services, and there was a huge happy festival directly across the small street from the shul. It was very odd to hear partying and music and celebrations that were pervasive and very audible and clear even with two sets of doors closed. They probably had no idea, I realize.

Good luck, Gilah!

[charolastra00]

Get involved with the PTA and the school to avoid these kinds of conflicts. We never ran into it growing up, despite being the only Jews most of the other students had ever met, because my mom joined the PTA and made sure that our interests were represented.