I just got home after watching Bad Faith at the Jewish Film Festival. There were so many parts that hit close to home, and honestly, I was almost disappointed to see a happy ending. Do those really exist? (I guess I might spoil it for some of you if you are planning to go see it...).
One of the lines in the movie dealt with being a religious Jew versus a cultural Jew. I am definitely a cultural Jew.
Tonight is the second night of Hanukkah, and I'm sitting in my kitchen at 11:18 pm instead of going to bed. Why? Because I lit the candles on the menorah that Cindy gave me years ago and am now waiting for them to burn down. Why am I doing this? Do I really believe in the miracle of oil lasting 8 nights instead of 1? Not really, but I think it is a good story, it gives people hope. Plus, I like candle-light and the fact that I'm continuing with the same tradition followed by so many generations before me.
Tomorrow I'm getting together with Paige to make latkes. I'll light the candles again, and will probably do it for all 8 nights of Hanukkah. And then next Tuesday I'll go over to Cindy's to celebrate the holiday with her family. For me, it is more about spending time with the people you care about, good food, and chocolate gelt (preferably dark!).
Will I fast on Yom Kippur? No. Will I give up bread during Passover? No. But I will remember being a little girl and looking for the first star in the sky as a sign that my parents' fasting was over and we could all have a family meal together. And I will eat matza and maybe even make harosetz.
I'll leave you with the pictures of my menorah lighting up my somewhat messy kitchen.
Happy Hanukkah!
One of the lines in the movie dealt with being a religious Jew versus a cultural Jew. I am definitely a cultural Jew.
Tonight is the second night of Hanukkah, and I'm sitting in my kitchen at 11:18 pm instead of going to bed. Why? Because I lit the candles on the menorah that Cindy gave me years ago and am now waiting for them to burn down. Why am I doing this? Do I really believe in the miracle of oil lasting 8 nights instead of 1? Not really, but I think it is a good story, it gives people hope. Plus, I like candle-light and the fact that I'm continuing with the same tradition followed by so many generations before me.
Tomorrow I'm getting together with Paige to make latkes. I'll light the candles again, and will probably do it for all 8 nights of Hanukkah. And then next Tuesday I'll go over to Cindy's to celebrate the holiday with her family. For me, it is more about spending time with the people you care about, good food, and chocolate gelt (preferably dark!).
Will I fast on Yom Kippur? No. Will I give up bread during Passover? No. But I will remember being a little girl and looking for the first star in the sky as a sign that my parents' fasting was over and we could all have a family meal together. And I will eat matza and maybe even make harosetz.
I'll leave you with the pictures of my menorah lighting up my somewhat messy kitchen.
Happy Hanukkah!
1 comment:
Check out a timely article in the New York Times about interfaith marraiges and some of the issues you raised Olga: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/garden/06Fight.html
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