EMILY A. STODDARD | Blue Jean Learning of others' religions provides a real education

As a lifelong private-school student, I was ready for public university life when the time finally came. I looked to it for its diversity, ample resources and opportunity to gain exposure to the "real world."
One day, my floormates were playing the stats game: "Where are you from?" "What's your major?" "Where did you go to high school?" As they went over these basics, there was an eruption among them as it was discovered that one of them was Jewish.
"Jewish? You're Jewish?"
"Hey, so am I!"
"Did you guys say you're Jewish? Me too!"
The conversation sounded something like that for a few moments as the realization was made. I admired the four or five girls from the doorway of my room, impressed by the reunion that was happening. The smiles on their faces spoke to the moment's importance to them.
As my floormate Jen says in retrospect: "I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh! I'm living with other Jewish people. I never even saw Jewish people at home!'"
An exciting discovery
As for me, I had never lived near Jewish people and had only a basic understanding of the religion, which was what I had learned in high school.
It quickly became apparent (and exciting) that not only would I be living with people of other faiths, but I would be able to experience the world from their perspective as well as mine.
These varying perspectives are especially prevalent during the holidays.
For instance, I have always been aware of saying "Happy Holidays" for its inclusiveness, but in getting to know the people on my floor, I realized how necessary this is.
There are people around me who, not surprisingly, are insulted that the holidays are dominated by the Christmas spirit. What about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?
These differences have sensitized me to how our society celebrates the holiday season. While traditions bring meaning to this time of year, is it possible that they also bar us from appreciating and understanding our neighbor?
To be founded in tradition can be a wonderful thing, but we should not, in the process, lose sight of the bigger picture.
In a politically correct society, I fear we sometimes avoid topics that involve individual differences simply because we don't want to offend others.
Don't let this deter you from discovering someone else's motives for a religious tradition. They most likely would want to offer a proper explanation rather than leaving you with a misconception of their practices.
Thanks to an open-minded floor, I've been able to learn about concepts such as Hillel, the Jewish campus organization, and Jen is teaching us dreidel games this holiday season. Now this is education.
XEmily A. Stoddard, 18, of Grand Rapids, Mich., is a columnist for Blue Jean Online.