THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 29, 1995 TAG: 9512280606
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
I am writing in response to the letter ``Retailers don't observe Jewish holiday'' (Dec. 17 Beacon).
First, I wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Ingram, in that most retailers do not make any preparations, nor do they sell any Hanukkah items.
I work at The Waterside Market place, which is very different from most malls in that there is constant entertainment during shopping hours. Now the entertainment is diverse in the ethnicity, however, it is biased on a religious basis. Not once have I heard any songs or music from Hanukkah (yes, there are songs that explain and celebrate Hanukkah; and no, they are not in Hebrew). This may seem OK to most folks, but it is down right insulting to any shoppers or employees that may happen to be Jewish.
My second point, turns all that Mr. Ingram said upside down. In the final paragraph of her letter, she stated, ``. . . the African-American cultural festival Kwanzaa, which is neither religious nor particularly significant. . . '' I find this to be very ignorant and offensive. She seems to think that Kwanzaa isn't very significant and I'm sure to her Christmas isn't very significant either.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival observed in late December and early January. Inspired by a traditional African harvest festival, it was originated in 1966 by M. Ron Karenga, a Los Angeles-based black activist, to increase awareness of the African heritage and encourage qualities such as unity, self-determination and cooperation in the black community. The observance includes exchanging gifts and an African-style meal known as karamu.
That doesn't seem very insignificant to me. Perhaps to fully understand the significance of each religious holiday, Ms. Ingram (and anyone else who finds these holidays insignificant) should observe not only their own holiday festival, but a sampling of the others as well.
John Stofka
Virginia Beach
Regarding the letter in the Beacon on Dec. 17, I would like to comment on Mrs. Ingram's concerns. I feel that the answer to wider acceptance of other cultures and traditions is to educate, not boycott.
As a Jewish resident of Virginia Beach for 34 years, I am happy to be able to purchase kosher meat at B.J.'s Warehouse or buy my Passover food and Sabbath or memorial candles at almost any Farm Fresh or Food Lion. I have found that when one asks the manager of these stores to obtain certain goods, they try their best to do so.
To offer a solution to her Hanukkah candle problem, I would like the Ingrams to know that most of the seven synagogues in Norfolk or Virginia Beach have a gift shop.
Whether they belong to the synagogue or not, they may purchase candles and many other items of Judaica.
Ina Mirman Leiderman
Virginia Beach
I would like to respond to the letter from Kathryn Ingram (Dec. 17 Beacon). A lot that she said is very true. Hanukkah decorations are few and far between in the stores. I would love to see more local retailers decorate, but you can also do it in your own neighborhood. We burn our menorah and share latkes with our court, being the only Jewish family in it.
Boycotting is not the answer. Our small percentage of sales would not hurt anyone.
The most important thing to remember is what we teach our children at home. Let them know what is important and the tradition will carry on. Share your holiday and traditions with friends and neighbors. It's a beautiful holiday.
Last, but not least, there are menorahs around town very visible to everyone. Rabbi Margolin worked very hard to get public menorahs put up at the top of Mount Trashmore and at Waterside in Norfolk.
Beth Weiner Gross
Virginia Beach by CNB