Both of my parents are Jewish and thus, I am 100% Jewish. My Hebrew name is Mordechai, which means warrior. I attended a Reform Jewish synagogue and did all the major Jewish life-cycle things; including my wedding. I did Sunday school for many many many years and Hebrew school to prepare for my Bar Mitzvah. The Education Director at that time lived down the street from my house and I would often get extra tutoring at her house. Don’t laugh, but most of the time, my snack while I was at her house was Macaroni and Cheese; I made it at my house!
I attended a Jewish Sleepaway camp from age 9 to 16; I even went to Israel for my last summer in 1993 a few months after I turned 16. While I was in Israel, my Grandfather passed away. I was very fortunate that my cousin Rachel was also in Israel at that same time and we were able to grieve together at one of the most holiest places in the world, the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Oh, Rachel is my Mother’s Sister’s daughter and she is the same age as my brother. So, we were very close, not like a 2nd or 3rd or 4th cousin!
I also attended a Jewish daycamp at the local Jewish Community Center. I took drivers education at the JCC and was taught by the same instructor who showed my older brother and 2 older cousins how to drive. We would often drive around neighborhoods and would look at the houses; when I turned to glance a look, he said keep your eyes on the road! I do remember before I had my drivers permit, my father let me drive in a paved area behind our house; back then, nothing was there except for a large hotel. Now, it is packed with shops, apartments, and restaurants.
Was all of this Jewish stuff forced on me? Did I choose it? Or, was it just the way it was? I can’t answer because I truly don’t know. But, I will say, I have absolutely no complaints; I had wonderful teachers, experiences, and made great friends.
Did I believe in Judaism back then? I would assume, I probably did. But, now, I consider myself agnostic. I do enjoy celebrating the Jewish holidays, but mainly for the food and I get to see my family.
Nina, on the other hand, is half Jewish; her Dad is and Mom isn’t. She considers herself an atheist.
It doesn’t bother me at all that we will be celebrating Christmas this year; we have a a very small Rosemary tree and some lights. We will eat, open gifts (mostly books for Niko), and enjoy our family. It was fun on Thursday night watching Nina wrap all the gifts for the three of us. Tomorrow night, she will run down and move the Rosemary tree to the fireplace, put the gifts underneath it, and stockings for us. I can’t wait to see Niko’s face as he unwraps his gifts! My parents, my brother, and Nina’s Mother are coming over for an early dinner on Christmas. Nina is cooking for us and she enjoys it; and as always, I will clean everything up. Hopefully, we can eat breakfast first on Christmas because I know as he gets older like next year, he will be too excited to eat!
Next year, we will celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas; hey, more food and gifts so I am all for it. I wanted to do Hanukkah this year, but other things came up that were more important for us.
We won’t be preaching to Niko the religious views of Judaism and Christianity. If he wants to learn, we will be happy to oblige him. When he gets older and more knowledgable, he can do what he wants to do.
