my background
I can not believe today is Thursday…Christmas is almost here and we’re in the midst of Chanukah! AH!
I thought today would be a good day to explain my background to you guys. As evidenced by my opening sentence I obviously don’t come from a straight forward family.
I have referenced many times that I am Jewish but I also talk a lot about Christmas. So let me explain.
My Dad is Jewish. My Mom is Christian.
They had two children and raised us Jewish.
I grew up going to Sunday school at Temple Beth Israel and I also had my Bat Mitzvah there when I was 13. We celebrated all the traditional Jewish holidays in my house. However, growing up my family also always celebrated Christmas and Easter with my mom’s side of the family.
When I was younger Christmas simply meant Santa Clause and my Mammaw and Pappaw (my mom’s parents) and Easter meant the Easter Bunny and egg hunts. As I got older I fully understood what both holidays truly represented in the Christian faith.
Keith is Jewish. Both of his parents are Jewish. So it was logical that when Keith and I got married we would continue to have a Jewish household.
But.
Neither me, nor Keith, nor either of our families are intolerant of any religion. So my family is very easy as a blended family. We all believe that religion is a man-made way to celebrate God and that it is all the same God being celebrated by all religions in different ways.
To be honest, Christmas still just means family to me. I associate Christmas with my mom and my Mammaw and spending time with family, eating good food, celebrating life and love, and hoping for peace.
When I have children I will raise them exactly like my parents raised me. Because, for us, it works and that is all that matters to me.
What is your background like?
What Kelly Said 
Both of my parents are Catholic so I was raised Catholic. I think it’s wonderful that you celebrate everything and it really just means family time to you!
My parents are both Jewish. I went to Hebrew School until I was about 12 and then I quit. I did not have a Bat Mitzvah. I think that was mostly because although there were lots of Jewish kids at my school, my close friends weren’t Jewish so I felt odd. My Stepmom is Christian. So at my dad’s house, they always celebrated both.
Jason was raised Christian and going to church on Sundays. However, he doesn’t go anymore and neither do his parents.
We basically celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas in our house. I mean, we don’t do much for either one, but if we had kids, we’d celebrate both but not go to church or temple.
I think it’s great that they let you be exposed to more than one faith. I was raised very strictly catholic and now I love hearing about other people’s religion and finding out all the differences and practices.
I was raised Jewish, but I married a non-practicing Protestant. We will probably have a tree and celebrate Christmas and Easter like we’ve done for the last 7 years but my kids will be raised Jewish. Where I’m from, I always felt like the kids that had mixed backgrounds were embarrassed to say they were Jewish and I don’t want my kids to feel that way. I want them to feel proud of the religion : )
I’m not a religious person, but I think its great that your parents raised you to know about both religions. More people need that kind of well rounded acceptance these days.
I love your open minded view on this subject. I was raised Christian and with very similar attitudes as your parents raised you.
I was raised in a in a conservative church. In my teen years I started attending community churches (more open and not tied to denomination). I have served as a lay leader many years. I think the way you were raised in very good in your parents showed both sides to you. In the end it was your choice of what road to go down.