I love cookies, especially if they're Stars of David. This being the area that it is, I thought these certainly would be called "snowflakes" to make them more palatable to the Christian community, but I was pleasantly surprised. My son and I don't have exactly discerning tastes, so we have been eating them with relish. My daughter, between having a head cold and not being as susceptible to sugar as we are, decided she doesn't like them. What can you do?
This has been an interesting year and seems as though it will be an interesting holiday season as well. Since my daughter is in first grade, the class is branching out to discuss the different heritages of the class and their holiday traditions. They even had a brief lesson on Chanukah, during which she found she was the only student who knew that Chanukah lasts eight nights and involves the lighting of the menorah. I can't say that she really knows or understands much more than the basics of Chanukah, but it was thrilling to see her bounding in from school, bursting to tell me that she had known something about being Jewish. When will it be the right time to discuss the religious make up of this family? The time may come sooner than later, as more people take note that we light a menorah or overhear her practicing her blessings. Every now and again I can overhear a quiet "Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu..." For me, it's wonderful to know that she is interested and embracing Judaism along with me. It would be even more wonderful and I think peaceful if we were settled and secure in our identity as Jews. I made an agreement with my husband that I wouldn't take any additional steps beyond learning while he was deployed, so that surety is a ways off. I am looking forward to the day when I can walk up to my rabbi and say, "It is time...I am ready." Until then, the children and I will continue to walk in the balance and wait.
