December 2005
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Dear VTRCC Members and Friends:
In December 1970, I decorated six Christmas trees (every one of my “best friends” inviting me over to help decorate theirs), and performed admirably as little Cindy Lou Who in our elementary schools adaptation of “The Grinch”. And I’m Jewish. One might ask how did a little Jewish kid get so caught up in the wonder of the Christmas season? Simply put: by loving it.
Remember, this was long before the days of “political correctness”. Growing up in Northern Virginia back in the 1970’s almost everyone referred to the yuletide festivities as Christmas Parties rather than “Holiday Gatherings”. Not out of disrespect to those of other faiths, but largely because Christmas was what most people celebrated. That being said, I could always be counted upon to lead the Christmas carols. . .to me they weren’t religious songs so much as the sounds of the season. And since I was often the only Jewish kid in class, I was often called upon to teach my classmates the “Dreidel Song”, explaining to them how the game was played and the significance of Dreidel itself.
Life seemed so much simpler then. I can certainly recall times when I may have felt left out, but for the most part I felt not only welcomed, but embraced by my differences. As an adult I reflect back on this period of time and wonder how my parents must have felt by my awe of Christmas and how very much I wanted to be a part of the wonder of the season. I now give them a lot of credit for the decisions that they made never to dissuade my interest or temper my enthusiasm. We certainly embraced being Jewish in our home by celebrating Chanukah and the rituals that accompanied it (lighting the menorah, making potato latkes, etc.), but never once did they attempt to take away the beauty and joy surrounding Christmas. And for that, I applaud them.
So, in the spirit of this wonderful and often breathtaking season, may I suggest that each of us tries to celebrate the diversity that is amongst us by not only recognizing but rejoicing in our differences as well.
Yours truly,
Ellen Galant
President
Calendar Updates
Please remember to RSVP to 703-281-1333 or www.vtrcc.org/rsvp.htm (unless otherwise noted) so we have an accurate head count. Members who RSVP five days in advance receive discounts! Click here to review our RSVP policy.
Weekly: Lunch and Leads Tip Groups at Shula's Steak House on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-1:30 p.m. Contact Harvey Silverman at 703-319-8806 to reserve your space. (This is a weekly commitment.)
Thursday, Dec. 8 - Educational Forum: The Changeing Face of Tysons Corner, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Fairfax County EDA (FREE)
Thursday, December 15 - Holiday Lunch, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., That's Amore (FF)
Wednesday, Dec, 21 - Office closes at 12 noon, reopens January 2nd
