l'shana tovah!

(from a Catholic with a lot of Jewish friends)

 

That is oddly reminiscent of a conversation I've had with an acquaintance about Episcopal (me & kids) and Catholic (hubby) churches and the beliefs and will our children have their first communion (yes) at a catholic church (no), why (because they're not catholic) and will they be able to get married in a catholic church (uh, they're 4 and 3, that's not my list of concerns right now)...Very circular.

 

Under Reform Judaism, you are, in fact, also considered Jewish from the father's side if you observed the Jewish rites of passage as a child.

I'm from a very similar background, but I was the UU kid. Our UU church was not as ecumenical as yours, even though it was supposed to be. It was a horrible, confusing experience for me growing up, but it was such a different time (the 60s) and people who didn't fit into boxes were very confusing to others and were ripe for being teased (from my Jewish friends: You're NOT Jewish - you're not one of us; from my Christian friends: You're NOT Christian - you're not one of us).

It sounds like your family has worked all of this out well. I'm envious, in a way. ;-)

 

I agree with Jen. Just because the Orthodox are narrow minded and evil does not mean that you could not be considered Jewish because your mother is not one of the tribe. As an atheist Jew raised in the reform tradition, I believe that anyone who wants to consider her/himself Jewish can do so if they follow basic Jewish tenets. (What those basic Jewish tenets are, I have no definition for.) It enrages me that someone should be left out because his/her mom was not born to Jewish parents. We should respect a person's individual beliefs. Sorry for my rant, but this hits a raw nerve - intolerance in the Jewish community disgusts me.

 

We grew up similarly! My father was Jewish, my mother Catholic. My 3 siblings and I were raised Catholic. My father only attended Mass on Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve. Every other Sunday, he stayed home because someone had to "watch the house."

And now? We attend Pop Warner football games on Sunday morning, being the heathens that we are.

 

that's so interesting and so great. When Jan and I get children later on, we'll have a mixed situation too: catholic and atheist. I always fear that it'll get confusing for them

 

well glad that's all sorted out. my family was kinda mix and match like that too. We celebrated both and it was fun. more presents, more food!

 

sounds wonderful