Okay, I'm a BAD Jew. I did not celebrate Passover this year with the kids. Yes, I DO believe it is extremely important for them to have these traditions, but I just didn't have the energy. There are very few Jews who live in this area, so I couldn't even join someone else. My University did have a seder, which I was REALLY happy to see, but it didn't start until 7:30 and I knew the kids just wouldn't have the attention span to stay up until 10:00 or so. The seder is already a long process. Growing up, we used to make it really fun...go right to the drinking, eating and singing parts. I'll have fun with it with my kids...hopefully next year I'll put a seder together and invite some of my gentile friends, or at least join the one at the University so we have more tradition in that area. They really are a wonderful part of growing up.
This morning, the first thing E said when he woke up was "Jesus loves me!" What? Where the heck did that come from? Apparently, all that time we're spending at the synagogue isn't quite doing the trick! He must have some religious friends at school who talk about Jesus a lot because he sometimes comes home asking about Jesus songs, etc. I don't say anything to him now, because he wouldn't really understand the difference in beliefs. I just tell him that I never learned the songs he's asking about.
I finally got my new camera so I'll be able to post some pictures soon. How much you wanna bet that I'll find my old one now!
Francine Rendall became a registered member
1 month ago
Its really hard to sort through all the stuff kids hear at school and reconcile it with your beliefs. I don't agree with a lot (okay, most) of the crap the pastor at our church spews out, and I have a lot of discussions w/Ceara about the importance of critical thinking balanced with religious beliefs and traditions. Its an ongoing struggle because something new always comes up.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't think you're bad. You're tired from a long and drawn out surgery recovery. I'd skip some festivities too.
Agreed. Even though we don't have a large Jewish community here, I'm so glad I'm able to give the kids at least some of the rituals I grew up with. The rest will come with time!
ReplyDeleteI'll second you're not being a bad Jew. You just had an operation recently, you are still recovering and as there is no one you can join which would mean a lot of hard work for you, it is very understandable that you didn't have a Seder this year. I'm sure in the long run the kids will grow with a strong Jewish tradition.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course you're going to find the camera!
I can understand the bit of guilt you feel in not getting the traditional celebration this time, but you have not been well and you KNOW you would have done a Seder had things been "normal". You are not a bad Jew.
ReplyDeleteIs your new camera the same kind or something different? I am searching for a new camera myself. Let us know how you like the new one.
PS. Jesus was a Jew and quite famous too--aren't there any Jewish Jesus songs? Maybe E could make one up...
I don't know of any Jesus songs in the Jewish religion....I'll let you know if I think of any! I'm sure E could make one up, though. I'm sure that would be interesting!
ReplyDeleteAnd, okay, I'm not even sure I would have done a Seder if I WAS feeling better....It's a lot of work and much more fun with more people. I do need to prepare better for future years, though. Next year could be the year. Also, I have taken my dining room table down to make my dining room into a playroom. So, a Seder or any formal group gathering is not likely to happen anytime soon. My basement is almost finished, though, so maybe I'll move a bunch of stuff down there and reclaim my dining room.
I think my last pocket camera was a Nikon. It was one of those cool ones that you could use the touch screen to write on pictures and make designs and stuff. I got a Canon PowerShot S90 this time. It's not quite as small but still fits in a pocket. I rely on CNET a lot for reviews, and this one was right on top. So far, I think it takes better pictures and has some better functions. I'll post some pictures soon!
I'm with the others - you have had a lot on your plate - just the surgery and complications alone would be enough to deal with.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing some pics from your new camera!
While it is important to give your kids a sense of tradition and where we come from, it is also lots of work and mental preparation to prepare a Passover seder. And the good thing is that it happens every year, so if you missed it this year, you can always celebrate it next year. Or, accept invitations from others and not necessarily cook all of it yourself. Honestly, I made dinner for 10 people to show my kids what Passover is all about; only to have my kids cry, whine and leave the table because it was getting too long for them. So, there you are. Skipping it one year does not make you a bad Jew. And besides, there are 7 days, so you can always tell the story within any of those days to your kids...
ReplyDelete