An Interfaith Easter Sunday 27 of 31 #sol16

"I don't celebrate Easter," Leo says to anyone listening. "I don't celebrate Christmas either," he states matter of factly and adds, "because I'm Jewish." I smile and reply to Leo, "I think most of the kids here are just like you." 

Where on earth were the kiddo and I and Leo on Easter Sunday? Jewish Sunday school of course! It is with these simple facts that even at three or four years old, Leo and many of the other kiddos have learned that they are different than most kids. I often wonder what my kiddo has understood so far about holidays and religious traditions. 

Yes, I consider myself Jewish as I had a Bat Mitzvah and confirmation, went to Israel for five weeks, participated in Hillel during college, and continue to be somewhat involved in a Jewish community. It was important to me to have a chuppah at my wedding and to bring the kiddo to Tot Shabbat frequently. I love the beautiful rituals and traditions that Judaism holds, yet the best part of Judaism to me is the openness to questioning and interpretation. The community and the regular rituals to promote reflection. 

All this and yet, we too celebrate Easter and Christmas. When Leo spoke earlier, I pondered telling him that some of the kids in that classroom, like my kiddo, will probably head home to an Easter basket and egg hunt. They might have traditional Easter dinner with one part of their family. I often feel bad that my kiddo just goes through the motions of the more consumerist view of Christian holidays without knowing the true meaning of the holy days. The thing is though, I don't actually know them very well since I too grew up in an interfaith family. We celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah, Easter and Passover. I learned the more in depth meaning of our Jewish holy days and just enjoyed the Christian holidays for their impact on me: celebrations of the season and special days with family. For me, all of the holy days, no matter what their true meaning was, were about Family with a capital F and looking beyond yourself to serve a greater good in life. 

And that is the most important thing that I hope my kiddo will understand today and every day; the importance of time elevated above the day to day and enjoying it with family. So, "Happy normal Sunday" to Leo and all my Jewish and non-Christian friends and "Happy Easter" to all of our Christian friends.