ben_David: Quite the contrary. We don’t get bombarded by goyish holidays. It’s Hashem’s Land. Make all the excuses you want, but we also learn that just like Mitzraim, 80% of Jews won’t make it out of Golus, for the same kind of reasons you are espousing.
For the first time in 2,000 years, we have an opportunity to show Hashem where we stand. Think about it a bit more.
For those of you so concerned about money. Salaries may be lower, though not in all cases, but think your disposable income after tuitions. Tuition here are minuscule by comparison.