by Dr. Debra Collins
Every day, we grown-ups are inundated with messages urging us to mistrust, exclude, and expel certain people.
How do we “grow up” to this? Children do not find these attitudes modeled in picture books. Quite the opposite.
As major holidays approach for many of us, my spotlight this month shines on
JACKIE’S GIFT: A True Story of Christmas, Hanukkah and Jackie Robinson, written by the great man’s daughter, Sharon Robinson.
How do we “grow up” to this? Children do not find these attitudes modeled in picture books. Quite the opposite.
As major holidays approach for many of us, my spotlight this month shines on
JACKIE’S GIFT: A True Story of Christmas, Hanukkah and Jackie Robinson, written by the great man’s daughter, Sharon Robinson.
Tilden Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 1948. The house two doors down from Stevie Satlow’s was empty. A Black family was due to move in. Some of the neighbors circulated a petition to block them. The Satlows refused to sign the hostile document. After all, Stevie’s Jewish grandparents had come to the United States to flee persecution.
It was Jackie Robinson’s family that moved in. The previous year, Jackie’s appearance as first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers had ended decades of racial segregation in Major League baseball.
When his mother brought Jackie’s wife a welcome gift, Stevie went along. He told Rachel Robinson he was a huge fan of the Dodgers and Jackie. Rachel promised to take him to a game. When that happened, Stevie even got to walk home with Jackie!
On Christmas Eve morning, Stevie helped Jackie, Rachel, and Jackie Jr. decorate their tree. “Have you decorated your tree yet?” Jackie asked him. “We don’t have one,” Steve replied.
Jackie gifted a tree for the Satlows, along with extra lights and ornaments. Awkwardness ensued. Stevie’s father explained they were Jewish. Stevie’s mother worried how her Orthodox mother would react. The Robinsons, embarrassed, apologized for their mistake.
Stevie laughed at the adults’ worries. He reminded his father, “You always tell me to accept gifts in the spirit that they’re given.” Soon everyone was laughing, nodding at Stevie as his father declared, “This Jewish family is going to have a Christmas tree and a menorah this year.”
It was Jackie Robinson’s family that moved in. The previous year, Jackie’s appearance as first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers had ended decades of racial segregation in Major League baseball.
When his mother brought Jackie’s wife a welcome gift, Stevie went along. He told Rachel Robinson he was a huge fan of the Dodgers and Jackie. Rachel promised to take him to a game. When that happened, Stevie even got to walk home with Jackie!
On Christmas Eve morning, Stevie helped Jackie, Rachel, and Jackie Jr. decorate their tree. “Have you decorated your tree yet?” Jackie asked him. “We don’t have one,” Steve replied.
Jackie gifted a tree for the Satlows, along with extra lights and ornaments. Awkwardness ensued. Stevie’s father explained they were Jewish. Stevie’s mother worried how her Orthodox mother would react. The Robinsons, embarrassed, apologized for their mistake.
Stevie laughed at the adults’ worries. He reminded his father, “You always tell me to accept gifts in the spirit that they’re given.” Soon everyone was laughing, nodding at Stevie as his father declared, “This Jewish family is going to have a Christmas tree and a menorah this year.”
Sharon Robinson was not yet born when the events of this story took place. However, the families formed a lifelong bond, and they often told “the Christmas tree story.” In her Author’s Note, Sharon says, “Now I hope our story will inspire families for generations to look beyond race and religion and into people’s hearts.”
This story’s contribution to social-emotional learning is self-evident. JACKIE’S GIFT shows the joy that grows from bringing diverse people together in a climate of acceptance, generosity, and love.
Jackie said, “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on others’ lives.” How shall we impact each other? Shall we erect barriers, or rejoice in taking them down?
What shall we celebrate?
This story’s contribution to social-emotional learning is self-evident. JACKIE’S GIFT shows the joy that grows from bringing diverse people together in a climate of acceptance, generosity, and love.
Jackie said, “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on others’ lives.” How shall we impact each other? Shall we erect barriers, or rejoice in taking them down?
What shall we celebrate?
