The Life Cycle of a Jew by Choice
I am finally to the place in my world where I am liking the Christmas music. Sue me I guess but hey, I did have a life and my life is a melting pot of everything and that includes Bing and Dean-o and Gene Autry. No, I am not talking about the “Do You Hear What I Hear” stuff…I am talking about the “Let It Snow” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and Karen Carpenter and my childhood.
And while I know a lot of fellow Jews by Choice - I see this cycle over and over again each and every year. The newbies think they have to discard it all. Throw out the tree and hate the tradition. Okay, yeah, I am surprised at my sentimentality…but I never gave up my love for old holiday films or even new ones for that matter which are sentimental and cozy and all about the fam.
It’s not like I don’t create Jewish memories for my family…I do. I buy lots of J-music and we listen to it a lot. But…I also have my own past…my own childhood…my own comfort zone and I can embrace that I think. And still be 100% the Jew.
I just think it’s how we grow. I am a Jew and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like a good, rich rendition of White Christmas either.
I have to admit…I don’t much like snow either but who cares. It’s the memories. And I like mine a lot.
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Interesting I’m a JBC and to be honest I feel extremely liberated that I don’t have to deal with any X-mass pressure. I don’t miss it, not at all.
Okay well I don’t miss any of it except for the movie about the kid who eats Chinese food and “shoots his eye out” with the BB gun he got for Christmas. But I swear on the Grinch’s grave, that’s all I miss about it.
Honest!
Be well!
Avi aka TikkunGer - December 2, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Heh. That’s the only christmas movie that I can’t stand. I don’t know what it is. Everyone I know thinks it is the funnies thing. And i hate it.
Living here in this little northern wisconsin town I don’t know many Jews, by choice or otherwise. So I appreciate learning what I can about all of my friends and acquaintances where I can.
happy holidays!
Keri - December 4, 2007 at 1:41 am
I just bought Jeff a Christmas Story for his stocking!
it’s a cute movie but he loves it.
Trisha - December 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I am a total sucker for Handel’s Messiah and have no problem with it. I do, however, have problems with other Xmas music. I love How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and think that we Jews are the Whos. It gets confusing.
I love Xmas trees. I miss them terribly. I love looking at them. But I do prefer Hanukkah lights to Xmas lights. Yet, I looooove Xmas lights!
Sigh.
I loved being in Israel around Xmas time. I didn’t miss anything remotely Christmassy. It was such a relief. Only Israel will save me, I suppose :).
Barefoot Jewess - December 14, 2007 at 12:08 pm