I’m thinking Remembrance Day, Ash Wednesday, Yom Kippur, Yom ha’Shoah, Ramadan, and whatnot - fasts, memorials and whatnot, where the tone is supposed to be solemnity and reflection, not “happiness”. I’m particularly interested in knowing about non-Christian/non-civic holidays, because I like to wish people well on their holidays to show I’m aware of their tradition. But obviously I can’t run around wishing people “Happy Yom Kippur!” Help?
Since the word “nice” has lost all of its meaning, you can always say “Have a nice ________”
“Have a nice Holocaust memorial?”
I’m not seeing it. But thank you anyway.
My spirit is with you on this Yom Kippur.
I am with you in friendship on this day.
I wish you peace on Yom Kippur.
Peace, brother.
Get a haircut. You are breaking your poor mother’s heart. And all this mishigosh about that girl! Get rid of her, she’s not good enough for you!
Good post, tc, and funny, too! 
What makes you think you have to say anything?
Hmmm, Uh… That doesn’t quite work, does it? Please disregard my suggestion. Sorry…
I’ve had this problem before. My best friend will wish me a “Happy Yom Kippur” when I’m fasting… shakes head I’ve explained to her why she shouldn’t but she doesn’t know what else to say. The best I can come up with is “Have an easy fast.” I guess that can apply to Ramadan, too. Passover is still anyone’s guess, though.
Lauren =>BTW, someone told me that the thing to say on Ramadan is “Idh Mubarak”, but I don’t know what that means. It seemed to work when I used it on my (Muslim) Spanish teacher, though.
How about ‘happy holidays!’
Handy, as above, I believe the acid test is whether it would be appropriate on Yom ha’Shoah. I wouldn’t try Happy Holidays on that date, and I doubt you would either.
Doesn’t anyone have an answer on this?
It seems to me that you answered it yourself… Why not, “Have a solemn Yom ha’Shoah”, or whatever? Or “peaceful”, or “reflective”, or “religious”.
Yesterday was Tisha B’Av … the saddest day on the Jewish Calendar.
The day is so serious, one is not even allowed to exchange greetings of the time asked about in the OP. But, before the period of mourning begins, the most appropriate line I ever heard was, "Have an easy and meaningful fast.:
(BTW, Jews are nuts - when we fast, we fast. No food, no water… nothing.)
Yom Kippur - This is not a sad day, so a “Good Yom Tov” (essentially, “Happy Holiday”) can get you buy. Most people use the more appropos, “May you be sealed in the Book of Life.”
Yom ha’Shoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) - No greeting is appropriate. The day is not really one of religious observance - it’s more of a Jewish “Memorial Day,” celebrated the way America’s Memorial Day was meant to be.
Hope this helps.
How about something like, “I wish you well on this special holiday”. It’s universal, it doesn’t get into the whole “Happy holidy” type of statement, and it shows you are aware of the holiday while sending message of goodwill.
I would say nothing in particular. You can say, “Happy Easter,” because it’s joyous that Christ has arisen. But it’d be rude to say, “Happy Good Friday,” that being the day he was crucified.
Side note: I once was talking to a woman as we waited in line to check-in for a flight to Denver. She was going to her mother-in-law’s funeral. After the flight, I saw her at baggage claim. I wished her a pleasant stay in Denver, then my mind screamed, “YOU EEDIOT! She’s here for a funeral.” I tried to stammer an apology, but she smiled and said she understood what I meant. :rolleyes:
Quick point:
Actually “'eid mubarak” or “mabruk” is was said on 'eid affitr the holiday that breaks the fast of Ramadan. “Have an easy fast” would suffice during the fast but since it continues for a month any greeting would be kind of superfluous after awhile. But on 'eid once the fast is over, the above is a very appropriate and very cordial thing to say. Oh, “'eid mabruk” means “(Have a) blessed feast”
If it was a holiday that my religion didn’t participate in, I’d offer a happy holidays, etc… if it’s one that indicates a solemn attitude and a day of fasting, reflection, insight and such, perhaps “have a meaningful <whatever the holiday is>” (I’m not heavy into religion, so I’d also use this for most Christian holidays, whether or not I decide to celebrate it. :))
If it’s a holiday such as Holocaust Memorial Day, one where many emotions (and in some cases, personal memories) are involved, perhaps “My thoughts are with you and the Jewish people today,” would be appropriate.
If you mean it when you say it, this indicates that you are aware of the significance of the day without attempting to ‘share’ the religious or ethnic weight of the occassion.
However, if you really want to acknowledge the occassion and its significance to the person, I think any honest indication that you are thinking of them and the occassion will suffice.
FunkDaddy
ps- this was a very good question, this post took me a while.