Posted on 12/07/2006 1:01:42 AM PST by goldstategop
Hans and Sophie Scholl and Christoph Probst were found guilty of treason and Roland Freisler, head judge of the court, sentenced them to death. The three were executed by guillotine the same day. All three were noted for the courage with which they faced their deaths, particularly Sophie.
Alexander Schmorell and Kurt Huber were beheaded on July 13, 1943, and Willi Graf on 12 October 1943.
I agree with the posted Don Feder column, but I'm probably missing something here. Can you please explain the connection between the German Christmas carol "O Tannenbaum" (your post # 2) and why Jews should encourage the celebration of Christmas by Christians (your post # 1).
There's hope. My children moved into public school this year in Mississauga, and when we went for parent-teacher interviews a week ago, there were trees and Santa and Christmas references everywhere. My 9 year old daughter showed me the song list for their concert, and lo, some traditional tunes are on the list - it was made up of kids requests.
Plus there was a Chanukkah poster on the entrance door (some reference to "faith forward in Peel" on it). My daughter is probably the only Jew in that school, but it made me feel good. Another positive sign - of the books they've read in class this year were "Number the Stars" and "Hana's Suitcase". Maybe it's an exception, but it's possible the pendulum is swinging to where it should be.
When I was in high school choir, one of our favorite warm-up songs was "The Lord Bless You and Keep You". You probably couldn't get away with that today. We also used 1930's era hymnals for sight-reading. Zgirl can attest that on more than one occasion, singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" was a religious experience in itself. I remember very specifically feeling the very presence of G-d in the room when we were really tight.
considering that 90% of the Jewish vote went to the Democrats in the last election, I don't think that there are very many religious Jews. Moral relativity, not God based morality seems to be the mission of 90% of the Jews in this country.
O Holy Night gives me that same feeling.
We went to a "Holiday Concert" at my grandsons' school last year. There was one Christmas song in the whole concert. Secular, of course.
Agree with your take on this wholeheartedly. I am still waiting for soemone to ask if this PC crap offends me. YES IT DOES. Sorry, I am part of the 95% referred to in the article.
Agree with your take on this wholeheartedly. I am still waiting for soemone to ask if this PC crap offends me. YES IT DOES. Sorry, I am part of the 95% referred to in the article.
That sounds great.
Generally, even vaguely religious people of Judeo-Christian denominations have more in common with each other than secular people these days.
I have more in common with faithful Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals than I do with most JINOs.
That bastard Freisler was ultimately killed in an air raid.
God Bless Don Feder
There were some truly great and righteous Bishops in Germany during the Holocaust and leading up to it. Some of the greatest anti-Nazi resistance was led by them.
Also, Father Maximilen Kolbe from Poland who's now a saint, but his name escapes me. A great hero of the Western tradition. He's probably my personal favourite. His story is in the Book of Virtues by William Bennett, which is a great book to read to kids. I read it when it came out.
Also, check out the link. Some heroic Polish heroes and martyrs. And also some who survived.
http://www.holycross.edu/departments/history/vlapomar/hiatt/opponent.htm
You know, the fact that Feder felt the need to write this article, and Horowitz the need to publish it...says a lot. How utterly discouraging.
Glad to hear it (I'm just down the road in Hamilton). I have fond memories of Christmas plays and concerts I took part it as a child, with my parents watching, in costumes they helped make. This despite the fact that I was brought up in an essentially secular home with little awareness of things religious. Even my father, who was more or less atheist, as I am now, could see the value in the traditional message of Christianity and Christmas. Certainly wasn't offended by public displays of Christmas at all.
"singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" was a religious experience in itself."
Among the most beautiful pieces ever composed. Many choirs and chorales sing it after every rehearsal and after concerts.
One those pieces that if sung badly is good, if sung well will make good men cry and bad men sweat.
GMMAC, I need to tell you the Catholics have been especially kind to the Jews in Peel district. Our Hebrew school is run under the International Languages program within the Separate School system - the public schools wouldn't have us, even though are tax dollars are required to support them. My kids use your schools to have Hebrew learning (language and religious) twice a week - from preschool to grade ten. You are incredibly gracious and we are grateful. There may be crucifixes in the classrooms, but there are also mezzuzim on the doors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.