Christmas and Hanukkah: Cousins or Neighbors

With many holidays being celebrated in December, Rabbi Brooks Susman, of the Congregation Kol Am in Freehold understands that it can be difficult to follow only your faith’s traditions. In order to avoid feeling left out, Rabbi Susman wants to inform people on the ability to be open to all holidays by holding his seminar called “Chirstmas and Hanukkah: Cousins or Neighbors”. 

“There are many inter-faith families today, I want to show them how to continue their faith without feeling like they are missing out on their traditions.” said Susman. “Just because you have a pinecone in your home does not mean that you are a Christian, no one owns winter foliage.” 

There will be two opportunities to see Rabbi Susman, give his seminar. The first seminar will take place at the in Freehold on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. On Dec. 5, the seminar will be held at the in Howell from 12:00 p.m. till 1:30 p.m. 

According to Rabbi Susman, “Sunday will have a "Jewish" flavor as it is sponsored by Congregation Kol Am and will be held at the Court Street School in Freehold Borough. Monday’s seminar will be fully communal and explanatory. I will also be using the greenery at Calgo Gardens to show how both faiths can use the foliage of the season to adorn the home without fear of favoring one faith tradition over the other.”

Rabbi Brooks Susman encourages all that are interested to come and learn more about both holidays.  “There will not be a mine is better than yours,” says Rabbi Susman, “This is to inform, not to influence.”