But it doesn't make him happy to see a Jewish child grow up with a Christian symbol in the living room. On the other hand, I do agree that people have autonomous rights to do in their homes as they please. Even in interfaith families where the children are being raised solely as Jews, the Christian spouse often wants to have a Christmas tree. For many Christians, and even those who have converted to Judaism, the tree is simply a nostalgic symbol of family togetherness. For some, the failure to stomach the tree stems from having an explicitly Christian symbol, while others worry about being embarrassed when their Jewish friends and family visit.
Families deal with the issue in different ways.
Thompson ignored the pleas of her husband and daughter for a tree until her husband had a stroke four years ago. For years, Morgan's family also avoided a Christmas tree in the house, a decision eased by the fact that they visit her relatives for Christmas each year. That has become a family tradition, although if they don't go to Wisconsin, they do not go out and buy a tree. Sometimes the Jewish partner feels guilty asking his or her spouse to give up the cherished symbol. Cohen knows of a family in which the children are being raised Jewish, even though the mother is Christian.