Families with a conviction: ‘We opted for the light variant when our son was circumcised’

“Friday evening is a moment of reflection for us, the Shabbat then begins. We pause for a moment. I remember how our house used to be open to family and friends that night. We ate chicken soup with matzo balls, a braided loaf of bread – galle – and drank kosher wine. My mother liked that we dressed neatly. I now associate a relaxed Friday evening more with my jogging suit and sometimes our children are allowed to watch a Disney movie while we eat.

Read also
The delicious blunders of these women will haunt them for a long time >

Traditions

We had a Jewish wedding with all the traditions that go with it, such as taking a bath before the ceremony. Or breaking a glass together, which means nothing is perfect, not even marriage. I think that’s a nice, honest, gesture. Jewish weddings are celebrated on a grand scale. There is dancing, chairs hoisted up. My non-Jewish friends were surprised to see how much effort and time the preparations took and that we had invited two hundred people.

“Nothing is perfect, not even marriage. I think that’s a beautiful, honest, gesture.”

Our son and daughter go to a Jewish school. We chose that because we want them to know the history of the Jewish people, what the holidays mean and also learn Hebrew. Just as we learned it ourselves in our youth. They especially enjoy learning the language, so they can make themselves understood on holiday in Israel.

They also learn other Jewish customs: doing a bar mitzvah, for example: the moment you read a piece from the Torah as a child and adulthood is introduced. Our son was also circumcised. We thought it was important to continue the tradition of the male branch, but opted for the ‘light’ variant with an anesthetic by a doctor.

Connected

The Jewish attitude to life above all gives me a sense of belonging. With friends, with family. All the traditions that we have make me feel familiar because they are always there no matter what. I have a very warm feeling about it and I hope that my children feel the same way. But it’s their choice, we’re not rigid about that. I especially want to give them: pick what makes you feel good.”

This article appears in Kek Mama 13-2021.

Read more? Subscribe here to Kek Mama, the #1 glossy for mothers.