To Trick or Treat? That is the question...

I think for many Jewish families this dilemma often comes up around this festive time of year. I did not do this growing up, but my siblings and I loved to have the neighborhood kids knock on our door in their costumes so we could give them some candy. We looked forward to it.

Yes, Halloween definitely has Christian roots, but this is really not the reason most families celebrate it. Today, it is largely a secular holiday just as much as Thanksgiving. You ask any Trick or Treater why they are at your door and they will not be spouting off any religious ideas. There is just one main purpose: to acquire as much candy as they can! Now as a parent, that may not interest you, but all I'm trying to point out is that for the child it is all about having fun.

So if you had thought about being neighborly, this will give you an excellent opportunity to be just that! A group of kids can form in your neighborhood and safely run around together for an hour or so collecting treats and having fun together. The lesson to teach your child would be which costume would be appropriate or not appropriate if dressing up and which candies are kosher and acceptable to eat. These are wonderful lessons to teach a Jewish child in our secular world. It would also be completely fine to say to your child we don't celebrate this holiday since it's not of Jewish origin or we just don't like the idea of you having so much candy being that it's not healthy. If the child is not satisfied with that response then maybe come up with your own alternative tradition like make ice cream sundaes or make flavored popcorn and watch a favorite movie.