I haven’t written on this blog for a long time, for reasons I may write about soon. It is now December 2016. Trump is President-elect, and my Jewish, multiracial family is facing down the winter holiday season. I’m trying to keep up with organizations and websites that will tell me what to do next, to stand up against bigotry, to stand up for the country and values I hold dear. Here’s one thing that’s not on those to-do lists. Four years ago, I created a read-aloud “book” and art project for my daughter’s second grade class that I’m bringing out again for my son’s second grade class’s winter party … this time, with an even deeper feeling that our children deserve to learn to embrace difference and to be kind. All children deserve to feel acknowledged and reflected in the celebrations that surround them.

[FWIW, the book had pictures that were totally lifted from the Web, so I’m not reprinting them here. The art project consists of making rolled beeswax candles, just fyi for diy’ers who like the idea. I gave Hanukkah’s theme of religious tolerance short shrift four years ago, and may alter it somewhat; suggested edits are always welcome!]

Festivals of Light: Winter Holidays Around the World

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