Students prepare for Jewish holiday

As students returned to campus following Thanksgiving break, they were greeted by flickering lights, nativity scenes, Christmas trees and other holiday decorations throughout the area.\nTo some students, such displays carry great religious importance and are an integral part of the holiday season.\nBut to Jewish students, who comprise approximately 10 percent of the student body, such decorations are further proof of their representation as a religious minority at IU.\nDespite the fact that they are constantly surrounded with reminders of a holiday they don't celebrate, most Jewish students say Christmas lights and decorations do not bother them.\n"I don't just accept (Christmas), I can appreciate it," freshman Daniel Birenbaum said. "Being an observant Jew, I can certainly understand people celebrating their faith." \nOther Jewish students said they enjoy seeing the numerous charitable activities during the holiday season, such as those dressed up as Santa Claus collecting money for the Salvation Army.\n"I think there's a nice feeling in the air, and I really like this time of year because I have more of an opportunity to give to charity," senior David Fuchs said.\nFuchs, who plans to live in Israel next year, said those who celebrate Christmas shouldn't feel as if they need to express remorse to non-Christian students.\n"I always find it ridiculous the way people try to apologize for their own personal beliefs," he said. \n"(Christmas) really doesn't bother me."\nAndy Gitelson, program director at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, said that while the holiday season does have different religious meanings to many people, there are certain aspects of it that are important to everyone, regardless of faith.\n"I think it is a great reminder of family ties and bonds," Gitelson said.\nAs a state funded institution, the University takes a middle of the road approach to holiday reminders. IU seeks to neither endorse nor advance one faith or religion over another, IU spokesman Bill Stephan said.\n"(The University) recognizes that we live in a pluralist society," Stephan said. "We have students with different faiths, and we need to respect the different faiths within our student body."\nAs a result, IU does not put up religious decorations but does not discourage others from doing so.\nThe Christmas season also will provide an opportunity for campus Jewish organizations to educate the student body about their own holiday season.\nGitelson said the Hillel Center offers a variety of fun and educational Hanukkah-related events over the next two weeks. Hanukkah begins right after finals and lasts from Dec. 20 through Dec. 27.