How a Rabbi Came to Appreciate Christmas
The Christian holiday has always been a time of anxiety for Jews, especially Orthodox ones. Yet one Orthodox Rabbi, Tuly Weisz founder of Israel365, has come to appreciate Christmas after moving from America to Israel.
The Jewish stories behind your favorite Christmas Songs
A surprising number of Christmas songs were composed by Jewish songwriters.
Christmas in wartime: An Israeli Christian soldier’s story
Despite his country being at war, one Christian soldier on Christmas leave said the holiday will still go on
Does Christmas have pagan roots? Many Christians say ‘Yes’
A growing wave of people have chosen to leave behind the solstice holiday that is one of the most visible symbols of the church, universal to all branches of Christianity.
(No) Christmas in Bethlehem
While Jesus’s homeland is under attack by Islamic terrorists, the number of Palestinian Christians in the land of Israel continues to decline.
Abbas’ Christmas message calls for Christians to join with Palestinians in fight against “occupation”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent out a Christmas message which, rather than wishing “peace on earth, Good will to men”, was essentially a call for Christians to join in the nationalist fight against Israel. The transcript of the address was published in the English-language online edition of WAFA news on Friday. Abbas began his […]
Evangelicals in Nazareth celebrate Christmas by building bridges between faiths
Some 80,000 Muslim, Jewish, and Christian spectators came to Nazareth to watch the 40th annual Christmas Parade on Saturday. Nazareth, believed to be the childhood home of Jesus, is Israel’s largest Christian city. Taking part in the procession for the second year in a row was also the “Home of Jesus The King Church” Established […]
Israeli leaders send Christmas greetings to Christians all over the world
Ahead of Christmas, several Israeli leaders sent out their greetings for the holiday to Christians in Israel and all over the world. “From the holy city of Jerusalem, I wish Christian communities in the Holy Land and around the world a very Merry Christmas!” tweeted Israeli president Isaac Herzog, who sent out the message also […]
The Hijacking of Christmas in the Holy Land: Inside the Infamous Palestinian Santa Stunts
His image is based on Saint Nicholas, the 4th Century Christian who devoted his life to giving generously to the poor. Therefore, Santa Claus — or Father Christmas — is perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of Christianity and Christmas. Yet, in the West Bank where the number of Christians has precipitously declined in recent years […]
How Hanukkah & Christmas Affirm the Jewish People’s Connection to the Land of Israel
Although these holidays are observed by two separate religions, both Hanukkah and Christmas have one thing in common: They highlight the Jewish people’s ancient connection to the Land of Israel.