[Duncan King]

First of all, happy Yom Kippur.

I have a quick question for those who are Jewish and who know something about Jewish holidays and traditions. As a secularist/atheist whose family only really observes the US Federal holidays of Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving as well as Halloween and the Fourth of July, I really don't know anything about the Jewish traditions. I'm wondering if you could tell me when I can give someone who is a really hardcore Jew a present without insulting him.

One of my law professors is an extremely hardcore Jew, so hardcore he keeps kosher and canceled class today for Yom Kippur. He likes to decide who he calls on during class by having his students all write their names on a card and drawing cards from the deck. He's one of my favorite profs, so I'd like to get him a card shuffler so he doesn't have to spend so much time shuffling the cards. But I don't want to give a gift to him on a bad day on the Jewish calender as I'd hate to unwittingly insult him.

So what would be a good day to give him a gift? The class ends three weeks before Hanukkah, so that's out.

[Bluto]

October 11th the Jewish congregations around the world finish reading the Torah. You could give a present then because that holiday is celebrated almost like a party.

Information: http://www.chabad.or...date=10/11/2009

[Duncan King]

Are there any days I absolutely should avoid?

This post has been edited by Duncan King: 28 September 2009 - 11:16 AM

[Bluto]

I am not sure, i consider myself to be agnostic...i just live in a Jewish community.
Sorry.

[Tyler DurdenCC]

Nov 3rd is Yom HanKippurnakh (the national kiss your Jewish professor's butt holiday). That would be a perfect day to give him a gift.



P.S. What law school do you attend?

[Duncan King]

Tyler DurdenCC, on Sep 28 2009, 12:52 PM, said:

Nov 3rd is Yom HanKippurnakh (the national kiss your Jewish professor's butt holiday). That would be a perfect day to give him a gift.

P.S. What law school do you attend?

I don't really want or need to kiss his butt, I got the highest grade in the last class I took from him. I just thought it would be nice.

Hamline University School of Law.

Also thanks Bluto and Tyler.

[Lavo_2]

Hanukka (holiday around the same time as Christmas, and we give gifts) would work. It's December 11-19 this year. And Tyler, that arse kissing holiday is fake, nice attempt at confusion there.

[dragonknight1000]

I can't help you personally, older DK (those who don't know me who get the meaning behind that)

back on topic, you could check w/ Mia for suggestions (since she's in said faith)

[edikroma]

Duncan King, on Sep 28 2009, 01:32 PM, said:

Hamline University School of Law.

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dilber]

I, personally, accept presents year round. I'm only a follower of Reform-Judaism, which is the second least strict, however, I don't know of any present guidelines.

[Tritonia]

Duncan King, on Sep 28 2009, 10:37 AM, said:

So what would be a good day to give him a gift?

Going with Dilber, you could always give a gift independent of any holiday simply because he's your professor. Kindness doesn't need an excuse, after all.

If you're really worried about it, don't gift on a holiday and you won't run the risk of an awkward situation on a traditionally solemn religious occasion; kind of like wishing a "happy" Yom Kippur.

[Tyler DurdenCC]

Lavo_2, on Sep 28 2009, 09:42 PM, said:

Hanukka (holiday around the same time as Christmas, and we give gifts) would work. It's December 11-19 this year. And Tyler, that arse kissing holiday is fake, nice attempt at confusion there.

Um... ya. I thought that was pretty obvious. But, thanks for pointing that out.


I think you can probably give him a gift whenever. I mean, as long as it's not a glazed ham.... you should be fine.

This post has been edited by Tyler DurdenCC: 29 September 2009 - 08:10 AM

[bigwoody]

In my experience Jewish people are pretty graceful, even if you did somehow give him a gift on the "wrong" day, you wouldn't be seen less of for it.

Unless the gift was a shrink wrapped pound of bacon or something.

[Ejayrazz]

"is a really hardcore Jew"

I pissed myself.

[Roland Verne]

I think you should give him an apple.

[Lamuella]

bigwoody, on Sep 29 2009, 10:15 AM, said:

In my experience Jewish people are pretty graceful, even if you did somehow give him a gift on the "wrong" day, you wouldn't be seen less of for it.

Unless the gift was a shrink wrapped pound of bacon or something.

some soap, candles, and a lampshade.

Oh god, I'm going to hell.

[Yankeesfan924]

Dilber, on Sep 29 2009, 01:17 AM, said:

I, personally, accept presents year round. I'm only a follower of Reform-Judaism, which is the second least strict, however, I don't know of any present guidelines.

As do I.

If you're looking for a holiday, go with Channukah.

And Dilber, there's a less strict sect of Judaism than Reform? Really?

[Lavo_2]

Yankeesfan924, on Oct 2 2009, 05:19 PM, said:

And Dilber, there's a less strict sect of Judaism than Reform? Really?

Some would argue the Reconstructionist sect fits that bill. Also, to address the OP, DK, does your teacher wear a suit and black hat all the time? If not, he isn't hardcore.

[Lamuella]

humanistic judaism would be less strict, but that's because it doesn't actually require a belief in god

[Salmia]

Dilber, on Sep 29 2009, 01:17 AM, said:

I, personally, accept presents year round. I'm only a follower of Reform-Judaism, which is the second least strict, however, I don't know of any present guidelines.

I am also a Reform Jew but what Dilber said is accurate. Most Jewish people don't attend work or school on Yom Kippur so that isn't really being strict. There aren't any days that I can think of not to give a gift other than perhaps Yom Kippur due to the fact it is the day of repentance. Channukah is a good week to give presents however.