Happy Hanukkah!

If you don't already know about my son's wish to be Jewish, you can read about it here. When he was in preschool, they made a tiny little menorah out of styrofoam and q-tips. He packs it away each year in the box with holiday decorations and pulls it out every year when we decorate for Christmas and sets it tenderly on the window sill.

Personally, I think it's great! I love that he is interested in learning about other cultures, religions and traditions. After the incident last Hanukkah, I didn't know if he would let it go, since his wish to be Jewish seemed to be based solely on his desire for eight nights of presents as opposed to one day. He didn't. They were out of school on Yom Kippur this year and he told me that morning that he knew it was a Jewish holiday, but he didn't know what it was all about and wanted me to explain. I explained to him all about it and he listened intently- honestly curious to learn. I had him up until the point where I told him about the fasting and his eyes got huge and he said, " Well, if *I* were Jewish, I would NOT do that part!" I laughed and told him yes he would, because that was a very important part of the observance and it would be important to him if he were Jewish.

So, this year, he unpacked his menorah, placed it on the window sill and hasn't said a word since. I already knew that Hanukkah begins tonight, but didn't know if Noah was aware. I should learn not to underestimate Noah. This morning he informed me it was the first day of Hanukkah. I explained that actually it begins at sunset tonight, but for the most part, he was correct. He understands this year that he isn't getting presents, but he simply wanted to be mindful of the Jewish celebration and the people celebrating it.

I can only hope that my children grow up to be aware, educated and open-minded people that will in turn teach their children about different faiths and cultures thus causing them to teach their children and so forth. And maybe one day, we can all get along and realize that we are all so different, yet all the very same. We are, after all- Jews, Muslims and Christians- all descendants of Abraham- brothers and sisters.

I hope you all find love, peace and happiness in your celebration my brothers and sisters.

Oldies But Goodies Part 3

This one is from just a few weeks ago:

Well, "Noah" IS Hebrew

Noah has renounced Christianity. Well, not really, he's 5, but he has an advent calendar with candy canes on it and has happily been eating one candy cane a day since the beginning of December.

Tonight, he informed me that, " Guess what, Mommy!?? Today is a VERY SPECIAL DAY.. it's Hanukkah and so I get to have TWO candy canes and open one of my presents!" I decided to put aside my need to always correct people and tell him that actually Hanukkah began at sundown last night, and informed him simply that he isn't Jewish. Translation: put the extra candy cane back and get your grubby paws off the present! Well, I could see this coming a mile away when he decided he wanted to be Jewish. I told him I would support any decision he made, but that if he was Jewish, Jews did not celebrate Christmas and he could pick 8 presents from under the tree and the rest would go back... and Santa Claus is part of Christmas.. so as not to offend the newly Jewish Noah, I would have to call up Santa and inform him of Noah's conversion so he would know not to stop by.

With that, Noah renounced Judaism and after only 5 minutes as a Jew, took up his cross again and was sucked back into the commercialism that is Christmas. Please, noone tell him how blended families celebrate both holidays.. I can't afford Chrismahanukwanzukah.

I am a little disappointed... I was looking forward to being a Jewish mom. They have such personality and I really like potato pancakes and saying, "Oy vey!" But, looking on the bright side.. I don't think I could have given up bacon. I really love bacon.