Lest the wealthy give to the homeless,,, it could only be a win/win situation

I've learned a lot these last few weeks about the squalor in which too many of the homeless lived in former grand hotels in Manhattan in the 1980's/
Families of 3,4,5 and 6 lived in 1 room with vermin crawling around. The children missed more school than they attended, fell asleep on their desks from hunger, were ostracized by their peers and
not treated as equal to their peers by teachers and had no quiet place in which to do their homework.
A family might live on the 14th floor and have to walk up flights of stairs because elevators weren't running. They feared guards who sold drugs and raped girls. I have read that these hotels are no longer "shelter' for the homeless. and homeless families live in better conditions than years past.
It killed me to know that the reason these hotels "housing" families thrived for so long was because the affluent owners were often part of corporations who gave huge contributions to the government who paid the rent. They paid approx. $3000 per month for room and board per family; however, for half that, the government might have loaned or subsidized these families to live in decent apts. or not to have had their own homes foreclosed upon because they couldn't afford expensive necessary repairs. But, they didn't, so these families got caught up in the system, demeaned, made to wait for their welfare checks for hours often losing total dignity. And if your children are starving, no one in the family having their own space, and if you are all cold and not well- cleansed nor dressed, you might get desperate and steal.
I've heard, but have not yet researched that these hotels have closed and that the homeless are living in more respectable dwellings, but are they all? I wrote to citizens in my city asking whether any would be interested in working with my husband and  me to really help the homeless feel worthy.

Christmas Carols in Public Schools??? Silent night??

Jesus Christ was not my savior. It is not a holy night for Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and people of other faiths. Teachers had a luncheon in school yesterday, as usual on the last day before "Winter Recess". I am the only Jewish teacher. They claim that it is the  "holiday luncheon" because it is the "holiday season", and it is not a Christmas lunch. With a huge tree in one classroom with a star atop, paper plates and plastic table cloths adorned with the colors of red and green and Christmas symbols, a "Secret Santa" grab bag, and carols such as "silent Night' playing in the background, I feel uncomfortable every year. I don't partake in Secret Santa" but I give a donation to a children's charity. Call it a Christmas party and invite me. I'll feel more convivial. Don't tell me that Santa, A tree, tinsel, lights, and a star atop are not Christmas symbols. They may not be religious symbols but they would not be used as decorations if it were not  Christmas. Also, the teachers wore sweaters and Santa hats depicting Christmas scenes.
What bothers me most is that they insist Hanukkah is part of the "Holiday Season", and equal in Jewish Minds to Christmas in Gentile minds. It isn't. I politely explain that our "holiday season comes in September and October", but it is the rare teacher that even acknowledges my holy days.
Christmas is a beautiful holiday. I make special efforts to drive around to admire the decorated homes, but, it is not an American holiday. It is a joyful festivity for Christians. 

Wishing those who celebrate, a Merry One."

the "Holiday Season at the Psychiatic Hospital"

December 2013, 2012, 2011etc, is the holiday season for Christmas, and perhaps Kwwanza. Kwwanza is not a religious holiday; however, Christmas, no matter what the logic expressed by Gentiles, has not become a secular holiday. The Christmas tree is a symbol of Christmas. Only after Thanksgiving does one see decorated evergreens in homes, shopping centers and even schools. Yake a look in windows in April, and I'll bet your money and mine that you won't see any tinsel hanging from a dead tree in someone's living room. Christmas is a "holy" holiday, and "Chanukah" is not. Gentile people feel more comfortable insisting that it is an important religious holiday for the Jews. The word :Chanukah" means rededication of the temple by the Jews that was regained from the Syrians' Greeks via military action led by Judas macabee.
More tomorrow.