Portrayal of Jews Offends Her

Re “Holiday Traditions Tug Hard at Our Heartstrings” (Dec. 25): On Christmas Day a story about holiday traditions featured a Jewish couple. The couple in no way fits the premise of the article. The celebration of Christmas has no root or place in Judaism. There are no Jewish activities that go back “hundreds of years” that justify the celebration of Christmas.

Yes, these people exist. My objection is that the intermarried or secular Jew is the portrayal of Judaism that is presented by The Times. No other religion is portrayed by secularism. There are never any stories about secular Christians. There are never stories about intermarried Muslims. Secular Muslims are never interviewed. There are no stories about Christian converts to Judaism. Are there stories of Christians who are now atheists but still have Christmas trees because of nostalgia?

The irony of Jews who celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas is that Hanukkah is not just about religious freedom. It is also about Jews not assimilating into the dominant Syrian-Greek culture. Yet you only portray Jews who have fully assimilated into the majority culture.

As a Jew, I am offended by these portrayals. If I were Christian, I would be equally offended as you denigrate the true meaning of their holy days.

JUDITH PEISS

San Diego