As I embark on my first visit to Israel, I thought I'd share a bit of reflection on my Jewish-ness, or lack thereof, with an excerpt from my book: "Levi’s Unbuttoned."
Really enjoyed this piece and can relate to it on many fronts. I think you will find your time in Israel deeply meaningful. Witnessing the amazing country that Israel has become has helped to instill a stronger sense of Jewish pride.
I love that you opened up some of your home (and heart) to us in this piece, Jennifer. As a public person you become known for your opinions and perspectives which can cast you in a controversial light. But when we get to know each other in a more personal way, we connect to the parts of us that feel compassion and warmth, that make us truly care about one another. Can't wait to hear about your trip and see the photos. Safe travels.
I lived in Israel for 9 years and served in the IDF. I'm a proud Jew and an enthusiastic Zionist - not easy in "polite" company, if you get my drift
I, too, grew up with a Christmas tree and gifts because in a Communist country Christmas was permitted but being obviously different (read Jewish) was not recommended.
Israel made me a Jew and connected me to my heritage in a way that my mother's imprisonment in Auschwitz could not - though it helped
Jennifer. I am a Jewish male born about ten years before you. Mom and Dad were Jewish (barely)from New York and I grew up in New Jersey. We, too, had a Christmas tree, and virtually no cultural connection to Judaism growing up. We lit the candles on Chanukah, which made my non-Jewish friends annoyed because my sister and I got to celebrate days of gift giving (not that I ever got eight gifts) and Christmas as well. And, of course, mayonnaise never touched bread unless it was already in the tuna salad.
As for your trip to Israel. I married a Jewish woman. Not very religious, but enough to go to temple on the high holidays and actually be able to sing most of the prayers. She had actually been Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem. So, when the time came for our daughter to do the same, we jumped on the idea. The trip included my family and my wife’s parents. And we hired Bena (a local guide) to take us to the noteworthy places around the country. I encourage that.
I can’t tell you how special this experience was. It affected me permanently. And it affected my two daughters. So much so, that they older one when back for a year of high school and a year of college. The younger one also was Bat Mitzvah there and had a year of college there.
One last thing. The Holocaust. Like you, I saw it as a horrible historic event that happened to people I had absolutely no connection to. All of my family had escaped the pogroms in Eastern Europe in the late 1800’s. Same with my wife. The only connection I had was that the bake shop owner in my New Jersey town growing up had numbers on his arm, and he died before I had any understanding of its meaning. But, I encourage you to listen to Martyr Made’s podcast about the return of Jews to Jerusalem around the time of the pogroms and after. It is so incredibly interesting for people with our background. Have a great trip!
I hope your trip goes well and is rewarding for you and your family. Having followed your writing for a while now I would humbly suggest that you begin to read the Torah seriously, and begin to seriously read history. You seem to be up on all the latest trends and ideas (as befits a marketing expert), but the past is terra incognita. Never too late to put down roots.
The richness and truth of Judaism is phenomenally deep. Meet up with a Chabad rabbi in Israel, and you’ll get a spark of the beauty of the traditional teachings. Enjoy your visit there, it’s exciting and wonderful!
On the topic of religious or spiritual awakenings while in the Holy Land... there's a whole body of studies on the reasons that this happens. And the stories people tell about the process are fascinating. Sometimes the change is permanent and other times the person leaves goes back to 'real' life and the feelings/thoughts/emotions fade. Either way I have no doubt it will be a very emotional trip for you, and connect you more to your roots. People need to know where they come from, their roots, for IMHO a sense a psychological sense of stability in this world. It becomes even more important as the world around changes ever faster and we fragment from our communities. And doing kindness in the world is the Golden Rule found everywhere. It is the glue that holds us together.
Really enjoyed this piece and can relate to it on many fronts. I think you will find your time in Israel deeply meaningful. Witnessing the amazing country that Israel has become has helped to instill a stronger sense of Jewish pride.
This is beautiful!! I'm so excited for you for your trip!
And you are doing lots of good. Thank you.
I love that you opened up some of your home (and heart) to us in this piece, Jennifer. As a public person you become known for your opinions and perspectives which can cast you in a controversial light. But when we get to know each other in a more personal way, we connect to the parts of us that feel compassion and warmth, that make us truly care about one another. Can't wait to hear about your trip and see the photos. Safe travels.
Wonderful, Jennifer
I lived in Israel for 9 years and served in the IDF. I'm a proud Jew and an enthusiastic Zionist - not easy in "polite" company, if you get my drift
I, too, grew up with a Christmas tree and gifts because in a Communist country Christmas was permitted but being obviously different (read Jewish) was not recommended.
Israel made me a Jew and connected me to my heritage in a way that my mother's imprisonment in Auschwitz could not - though it helped
Nesia tova and Shabbat shalom ✡️
Jennifer. I am a Jewish male born about ten years before you. Mom and Dad were Jewish (barely)from New York and I grew up in New Jersey. We, too, had a Christmas tree, and virtually no cultural connection to Judaism growing up. We lit the candles on Chanukah, which made my non-Jewish friends annoyed because my sister and I got to celebrate days of gift giving (not that I ever got eight gifts) and Christmas as well. And, of course, mayonnaise never touched bread unless it was already in the tuna salad.
As for your trip to Israel. I married a Jewish woman. Not very religious, but enough to go to temple on the high holidays and actually be able to sing most of the prayers. She had actually been Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem. So, when the time came for our daughter to do the same, we jumped on the idea. The trip included my family and my wife’s parents. And we hired Bena (a local guide) to take us to the noteworthy places around the country. I encourage that.
I can’t tell you how special this experience was. It affected me permanently. And it affected my two daughters. So much so, that they older one when back for a year of high school and a year of college. The younger one also was Bat Mitzvah there and had a year of college there.
One last thing. The Holocaust. Like you, I saw it as a horrible historic event that happened to people I had absolutely no connection to. All of my family had escaped the pogroms in Eastern Europe in the late 1800’s. Same with my wife. The only connection I had was that the bake shop owner in my New Jersey town growing up had numbers on his arm, and he died before I had any understanding of its meaning. But, I encourage you to listen to Martyr Made’s podcast about the return of Jews to Jerusalem around the time of the pogroms and after. It is so incredibly interesting for people with our background. Have a great trip!
“Without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a Fiddler on the Roof”! :)
I hope your trip goes well and is rewarding for you and your family. Having followed your writing for a while now I would humbly suggest that you begin to read the Torah seriously, and begin to seriously read history. You seem to be up on all the latest trends and ideas (as befits a marketing expert), but the past is terra incognita. Never too late to put down roots.
You'll fall in love with it all! Mazal TOV that you are going--and Israel is magical with all of its challenges.
What a fantastic sharing. Thank you. 🙏🏿
It's never too late. Join a synagogue, make sure your children get a Jewish education. We need you.
The richness and truth of Judaism is phenomenally deep. Meet up with a Chabad rabbi in Israel, and you’ll get a spark of the beauty of the traditional teachings. Enjoy your visit there, it’s exciting and wonderful!
On the topic of religious or spiritual awakenings while in the Holy Land... there's a whole body of studies on the reasons that this happens. And the stories people tell about the process are fascinating. Sometimes the change is permanent and other times the person leaves goes back to 'real' life and the feelings/thoughts/emotions fade. Either way I have no doubt it will be a very emotional trip for you, and connect you more to your roots. People need to know where they come from, their roots, for IMHO a sense a psychological sense of stability in this world. It becomes even more important as the world around changes ever faster and we fragment from our communities. And doing kindness in the world is the Golden Rule found everywhere. It is the glue that holds us together.