Natasha, Santa Claus is part of Christmas, he is called St. NIcohlas (saints are part of the catholic church). His whole myth is based around Christmas. He flys around on Christmas night and puts gifts under a Christmas tree. Christmas is a Christian holiday.

I’m Jewish as well and we only celebrate Chanukah now that we’re grown up. But when we were little my dad used to dress up as Santa and give us presents. I think it is a bit hard for Jewish kids, because at this time of the year everyone is talking about Christmas, and you go to school and write a letter to Santa and all your neighborhood friends tell you what they’re getting for Christmas, so it is very natural that Jewish families celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas.

We’re Jewish, and my 4 1/2 year old daughter understands that we celebrate Chanukah and that one of her Saftas celebrates Christmas. It’s not a big issue, really.

Of course, it’s all made easier by living in a heavily Jewish part of North London, with lots of big menorahs at major intersections, and going to Jewish school. She doesn’t really come into contact with Santa (or Father Christmas) that much.

My family is Jewish and we also celebrate Christmas. Santa Claus has nothing to do with Christianity. Debra and her husband are both Jewish by birth. I don’t know. Dustin Hoffman celebrated both Christmas and Chanukah growing up so it can’t be an Ashkenazi thing.

Santa Claus is also known as Saint Nicolas. The whole saint concept is very Christian and would not be recognized by Jews. As a converted Jew, we only celebrate Chanukah at our home.

maybe one of the grandparents is Christian and that’s why they go there for Christmas?

I also agree with MB, for a young kid (especially one who isn’t actually Christian) Santa Claus=Christmas. Growing up, all my cousins were half-jewish and half-christian so my brother and i were given presents at Christmas so we didn’t feel left out. once we stopped believing in Santa Claus, my parents stopped pretending and now we just celebrate Hanukkah, haha.

Messing is a Jewish name as well.
She was raised Jewish.
See wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_Messing

Debra herself is Jewish, and not a convert. And her husband is Jewish too. No idea about the Christmas celebrations at a grandparents house, maybe they just don’t want Roman to feel left out in some way?

My aunt married into a jewish family and converted. But when their daughters were born because our family celebrates Christmas and her husbands family celebrates Hannukah they decided to incorporate both holidays into their girls lives. When the girls were old enough to understand they allowed them to decide what they wanted to do. For the most part they celebrated Hannukah because they saw his side of the family a lot more then ours. However as they grew into young adults they questioned both religions and now don’t really believe or follow either tradition.

Sorry, my post was not clear! What I meant to say is that it’s Roman’s father who IS Jewish. Most likely Debra converted to Judaism, which most parents of Jewish men want their DILs to do, if they are not already Jewish.