Monday, December 31, 2012
It's the end of the year. Anyone with a blog is going to think this is the last chance to get something in for 2012. But what do I have to say that has not already been said about 2012. Too many losses, many many joys all filled in with normal day to day life. I could make resolutions. Should I make resolutions? What will happen if I chose not to? So, I put up decorations, drink a glass of wine and watch old old old Star Trek on Netflix. That and the Menorah is in the freezer... of course. More here... http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/
Friday, December 28, 2012
Is anyone ever Jewish enough?
I read a variety of blogs here and there. Like most people, I have my favorites to stalk. People that I hold in high esteem, others bash for not being good enough. Why do we do that? Why do humans find the need to tell others they are not good enough at doing their best? So as Shabbat approaches, I ponder this question, is anyone ever Jewish enough.
More at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/ Kitty Crosby
More at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/ Kitty Crosby
Thursday, December 27, 2012
It's up and running! I'm blogging for The Times of Isreal! Check it out often... http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
December 26, 2012
“Mine first! Mine first!” This is what I hear on Christmas morning. For those of you that are new followers, yes, we do Christmas. We are a blended religion family. Blending our religions with extended family means there are events we participate in that may not be Jewish. Personally, I just consider it a continuation of Chanukkah!
Now where was I? Oh yes; mine first! This is the sound my children make on Christmas morning. However, it is not the sound of whiney selfish children begging to open their gift first. It is the demand they are making upon me and each other. Open mine first!
I will give kudos to the holiday of Christmas for helping give my children the occasion to practice to the love of gift giving. Yes, every day offers the chance to give to someone selflessly and yes they love to receive a gift. But they love the holiday the most for the hunt and delivery of the perfect gift for their loved ones.
They aim to find that special something they know will bring simple joy. So don’t tell them “just make a donation” or “a gift certificate is fine”, because it won’t do! That actually takes away our gift giving fun!
Unquestionably, the gift itself is not where the fun stops. How you wrap a gift is just as, if not more important than the gift enclosed! It requires tissue, maybe a box, color coordinated paper, something that sparkles, maybe a snowflake on top, and more sparkle. Plus, no package ever holds what it looks like it may! A shirt is never in a shirt box. They don’t just “love” the element of surprise they live for it.
So, thank you Christmas. Thank you for the occasion to surprise loved ones and friends with wrapped and sparkly packages filled with thought, compassion and love. Thank you for the opportunity to hear my children proclaim “Mine first!” Only 364 more days to plan next year’s perfect surprises!
“Mine first! Mine first!” This is what I hear on Christmas morning. For those of you that are new followers, yes, we do Christmas. We are a blended religion family. Blending our religions with extended family means there are events we participate in that may not be Jewish. Personally, I just consider it a continuation of Chanukkah!
Now where was I? Oh yes; mine first! This is the sound my children make on Christmas morning. However, it is not the sound of whiney selfish children begging to open their gift first. It is the demand they are making upon me and each other. Open mine first!
I will give kudos to the holiday of Christmas for helping give my children the occasion to practice to the love of gift giving. Yes, every day offers the chance to give to someone selflessly and yes they love to receive a gift. But they love the holiday the most for the hunt and delivery of the perfect gift for their loved ones.
They aim to find that special something they know will bring simple joy. So don’t tell them “just make a donation” or “a gift certificate is fine”, because it won’t do! That actually takes away our gift giving fun!
Unquestionably, the gift itself is not where the fun stops. How you wrap a gift is just as, if not more important than the gift enclosed! It requires tissue, maybe a box, color coordinated paper, something that sparkles, maybe a snowflake on top, and more sparkle. Plus, no package ever holds what it looks like it may! A shirt is never in a shirt box. They don’t just “love” the element of surprise they live for it.
So, thank you Christmas. Thank you for the occasion to surprise loved ones and friends with wrapped and sparkly packages filled with thought, compassion and love. Thank you for the opportunity to hear my children proclaim “Mine first!” Only 364 more days to plan next year’s perfect surprises!
Blame my whimzy on peanutbutter fudge for breakfast
December 24, 2012
Facebook says I have 42 new friends this year. I am glad they don’t point out how many friends I have lost! I will focus on the new friends. Every year, new friends ask, “What’s with the tree?” Yes, we have a tree. And, we have lights on the house. During Hanukkah, we have a variety of Menorahs to choose from. One of these is always set on the porch. No other lights are allowed on during Hanukkah.
When you live in a blended religion family, different holidays are celebrated, even if it is a holiday not observed by every member of the family. Thus, we have a tree in our home.
Most Jewish families do not have a tree in their home. Saying I am Jewish
and that I have a tree opens the door for both sided to have reason for dispute. Who are we to deserve a tree in our home? You can’t be Jewish and have a tree! It is, either way, a no- win situation. So, to add to the drama, let me point out the color of our tree… champagne! How is that for tacky fun?
Why a champagne (or any other color) tree? A color, tinsel tree is just that. It is nothing more. It does not aspire to be mistaken for a pine, cypress or great Sequoia. A color, tinsel tree is just there to bring joy and sparkle; nothing more, nothing less. To me it is an expression of our family. We are not to be mistaken for what we are or are not. We just aim to sparkle and bring joy.
Facebook says I have 42 new friends this year. I am glad they don’t point out how many friends I have lost! I will focus on the new friends. Every year, new friends ask, “What’s with the tree?” Yes, we have a tree. And, we have lights on the house. During Hanukkah, we have a variety of Menorahs to choose from. One of these is always set on the porch. No other lights are allowed on during Hanukkah.
When you live in a blended religion family, different holidays are celebrated, even if it is a holiday not observed by every member of the family. Thus, we have a tree in our home.
Most Jewish families do not have a tree in their home. Saying I am Jewish
and that I have a tree opens the door for both sided to have reason for dispute. Who are we to deserve a tree in our home? You can’t be Jewish and have a tree! It is, either way, a no- win situation. So, to add to the drama, let me point out the color of our tree… champagne! How is that for tacky fun?
Why a champagne (or any other color) tree? A color, tinsel tree is just that. It is nothing more. It does not aspire to be mistaken for a pine, cypress or great Sequoia. A color, tinsel tree is just there to bring joy and sparkle; nothing more, nothing less. To me it is an expression of our family. We are not to be mistaken for what we are or are not. We just aim to sparkle and bring joy.
Out of the Jewish Closet
Jew Momma Kitty
Dec 23, 2012 - Public
What an odd time of the year to begin a Jewish Momma Blog. The invitation to write is a wonderful surprise. But, this also puts me in a position of being 100% out there for the world to see and hear. The ramblings here and on my Facebook are not the same blogs I write for Times of Israel. They may cross over in simularity, but still different.
I have always loved studying various religions. I want to know what makes each religion special; why they believe what they do. I went through Catholic conversion just to see what it was all about. I have been to Baptist churches, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Catholic, snake charmers, and more. I have read up on Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, and the Bible many times over.
I believe it is human nature to try and categorize our lives and everything in it. It brings us comfort to know what something is, where it fits in, and which group we fit in with. I enjoyed the churches I visited, but never fit in.
Eight years ago I decided to read the Old Testament in its original format, Hebrew. I fell in love. I was surprised to find there are many changes between the Tanakh and the Old Testament. (That will be saved for a different blog)
So for eight years I studied, learned and converted. To people that read my personal Facebook closely, it is no surprise. We have not sent out “Christmas” cards in many years. I post pictures of our Menorahs and celebrate Shabbat weekly. However, I am sure there is a handful that will be surprised. Why stay quiet about the changes? Sometimes friends and family can be the toughest on people they “love”. One person has already told me they pray for our children’s souls. I’m sure it was meant to be helpful. However it is a cruel thing to say. Putting my children through the loving prejudices of others is not something to enter into lightly. We have had a fire on our porch; crosses and fish carved into a car, and listened to an anti-Semitic speech at tree lighting.
They have seen many acts of prejudice already. Hopefully my writing will focus on the joys and times of a Jew-ish family. (yes, that is spelled correctly!) We are a blended family with a variety to our background and religious experiences. And, do I have some stories to tell! Some stories are sad, some funny, and cross between Southern Momma and Jewish Momma. May I say, the two are not far apart!
This blog adventure is not to insult those that believe in other religions. It is simply a glimpse into our lives as a blended religion family. Comments are always welcome. Comments aimed at converting us back and saving our souls will be promptly deleted. This is not a forum for hate. The momma bear in me also feels the need to point out; anyone attempting to contact my children to teach them the wrongs of not being Christian will quickly find themselves with a lawsuit for harassing minors. Harass me. Not my children.
Let the adventures begin….
~Jewish Momma Blog, Kitty
I have always loved studying various religions. I want to know what makes each religion special; why they believe what they do. I went through Catholic conversion just to see what it was all about. I have been to Baptist churches, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Catholic, snake charmers, and more. I have read up on Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, and the Bible many times over.
I believe it is human nature to try and categorize our lives and everything in it. It brings us comfort to know what something is, where it fits in, and which group we fit in with. I enjoyed the churches I visited, but never fit in.
Eight years ago I decided to read the Old Testament in its original format, Hebrew. I fell in love. I was surprised to find there are many changes between the Tanakh and the Old Testament. (That will be saved for a different blog)
So for eight years I studied, learned and converted. To people that read my personal Facebook closely, it is no surprise. We have not sent out “Christmas” cards in many years. I post pictures of our Menorahs and celebrate Shabbat weekly. However, I am sure there is a handful that will be surprised. Why stay quiet about the changes? Sometimes friends and family can be the toughest on people they “love”. One person has already told me they pray for our children’s souls. I’m sure it was meant to be helpful. However it is a cruel thing to say. Putting my children through the loving prejudices of others is not something to enter into lightly. We have had a fire on our porch; crosses and fish carved into a car, and listened to an anti-Semitic speech at tree lighting.
They have seen many acts of prejudice already. Hopefully my writing will focus on the joys and times of a Jew-ish family. (yes, that is spelled correctly!) We are a blended family with a variety to our background and religious experiences. And, do I have some stories to tell! Some stories are sad, some funny, and cross between Southern Momma and Jewish Momma. May I say, the two are not far apart!
This blog adventure is not to insult those that believe in other religions. It is simply a glimpse into our lives as a blended religion family. Comments are always welcome. Comments aimed at converting us back and saving our souls will be promptly deleted. This is not a forum for hate. The momma bear in me also feels the need to point out; anyone attempting to contact my children to teach them the wrongs of not being Christian will quickly find themselves with a lawsuit for harassing minors. Harass me. Not my children.
Let the adventures begin….
~Jewish Momma Blog, Kitty
Apparently, I didn't open a blog page correctly, so let's try this again. Following are previously, misplaced blogs:
12/23/12
This page will help you find my blog for Times of Israel and other random thoughts that pass my mind; funny, sad, whimzical and hopefully thought provoking looks into the life of a southern mother of teens that is a convert stuck somewhere between Reform and Conservative. Look for more of the fun!
12/23/12
This page will help you find my blog for Times of Israel and other random thoughts that pass my mind; funny, sad, whimzical and hopefully thought provoking looks into the life of a southern mother of teens that is a convert stuck somewhere between Reform and Conservative. Look for more of the fun!
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