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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford police add details on Tuesday fatal shooting Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Phoenix Road will be closed for the weekend 85-year-old woman assaulted with a brick at Medford foster home Medford armed career criminal sentenced to 15 years for carrying ammunition Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford police add details on Tuesday fatal shooting 85-year-old woman assaulted with a brick at Medford foster home Medford armed career criminal sentenced to 15 years for carrying ammunition Early-morning gas leak safely contained at White City plant Emergency services, March 18 Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Ashland High principal receives national award Environment Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit State News Oregon faces timeline on limiting hatchery salmon in river Oregon House passes bill allowing sunscreen use in schools Oregon House votes to outlaw hunting with drones Debris washing up in Northwest 4 years after Japan tsunami Dental company for low-income Oregonians reports data breach Nation - World Obituaries David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Shiela R. 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Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Landgren cartoon: Boston gets a ‘Frozen’ sequel Letters to the Editor, March 18 Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Landgren cartoon: Sunshine Week Editorials Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Columns Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Rogue steelhead migration hits the gas pedal Page H. Onorato: How food names came into being Tammy Kelly: Healthy leftover ham Lost in Suburbia: Top 10 reasons I like my dog better than my kids Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Food Page H. Onorato: How food names came into being Tammy Kelly: Healthy leftover ham No need to stress over souffles Season Stepp: Tips to spice up your tacos Food for Thought: Where to splurge and save at the grocery store Home and Garden Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Home Help: This top garage trend keeps gaining momentum The delightful work of flowers Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Medford police add details on Tuesday fatal shooting ... Oregon House passes bill allowing sunscreen use in schools ... Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern ... Medford police add details on Tuesday fatal shooting ... Oregon House passes bill allowing sunscreen use in schools ... Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern ... Interfaith family makes holiday compromise Ashlanders keep the traditions of Christmas and Hanukkah alive simultaneously Christmas, with all its decorated trees, stockings hung by the fireplace and, of course, shopping and presents, puts a lot of peer pressure on Jewish families — and it's compounded by the fact that a large percentage of Jews are in interfaith marriages. Comment By JOHN DARLING MailTribune.com By JOHN DARLING Posted Dec. 15, 2008 at 2:00 AM By JOHN DARLING Posted Dec. 15, 2008 at 2:00 AM » Social News Christmas, with all its decorated trees, stockings hung by the fireplace and, of course, shopping and presents, puts a lot of peer pressure on Jewish families — and it's compounded by the fact that a large percentage of Jews are in interfaith marriages. It leaves this dilemma: How can you balance both faiths and deal with the Christmas shopping frenzy that is not part of the Jewish tradition? Gretsky and Micah Lieberman solve the conflict this way: they don't have a television, so their kids' consumer tastes are not fed; family members give each other only one present (plus one from Santa); they have lots of holiday social events and dinners for the whole family; and they decorate the house with symbols from both Jewish and Christian traditions. It works, they say, and satisfies both holidays, especially with Hanukkah (an eight-day holiday that starts on a different day each year) overlapping Christmas this year. "We're getting away from the presents. We're doing lots of eating and socializing with friends," says Micah Lieberman, who was raised Jewish. "The kids are very excited about Santa. They put out carrots for the reindeer and oranges for Santa." His wife, Gretsky, raised Catholic, learned holiday baking and decorating from her mother and is passing that along to their delighted daughters, Maya, 6, and Asia, 3. In addition, the kids love playing with the Jewish dreidel (a top that you spin) and gelt (chocolate-filled coins) and eating holiday latkes (potato pancakes). Lightly decorated about the house are a table-top Christmas tree with Santas hung on it, a toy set showing a Jewish family in prayer, Christmas stockings made by Gretsky's mother and a tiny Jewish menorah, holding its nine candles. Asked about the rituals of Christmas, Maya was candid. "I like it. I like opening the presents and what you get in the stockings. Also baking cookies." Gretsky explains that the baking and exchanging of cookies at holiday social gatherings has become a delight for both kids and parents. The couple goes light on religion, but they're raising their kids in the traditions of reform Judaism at Temple Emek Shalom, where about half of members are interfaith, that is, married to a non-Jew, says the temple's past president Eliza Kauder. How to honor Judaism amid a plethora of Christian symbols is a subject of much discussion in the congregation every year, Kauder notes. "There's a lot of peer pressure around the symbols of the tree and the gifts," says Kauder. "Hanukkah was not meant to be about gifts, but now it's 'keep up with the Joneses,' so most people give gifts. Some couples decide about it before marriage and some just punt each year. The kids want to fit in." Hanukkah, a minor holiday in the Jewish cycle, honors the rebuilding of the Second Temple of Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Called the "Festival of Lights," it is celebrated by lighting one of the eight candles of the menorah each night. It starts this year on Dec. 22. The Liebermans object to the focus on consumerism in a holiday they want to celebrate as community, family and love — and Micah confesses, "It's hard not to be part of the shopping madness, but we just don't need 58 more pieces of plastic stuff." Although they have banished television from the home, they say it's amazing that their eldest child still knows all about Hannah Montana, an adolescent singer from the Disney Channel. The family plans to celebrate Hanukkah Dec. 21 at the temple with traditional lighting of the menorah, children's crafts, stories, songs, latke judging and potluck supper. The event starts at 5 p.m., costs $3 a person or $8 a family and the public is welcome. The temple is at 1800 E. Main St, Ashland. For information, call 488-2909. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. By JOHN DARLING MailTribune.com By JOHN DARLING Posted Dec. 15, 2008 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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