I was born and raised 100% Jewish. By parents who are also 100% Jewish.
Growing up, my parents always said that, when it was time to pick my spouse…it would make life a lot easier if he was Jewish too.
My parents always explained their reasoning by telling my sister and I that, in a marriage…there are so many issues and problems. And why add another problem into the mix by having different religions…which adds a whole different set of problems.
So I listened to them.
Really…that was one of the only things I listened to them about.
I met my ex-husband at a Jewish singles function. We dated. And unfortunately…we got married. A 100% Jewish wedding. Soon after, we produced two 100% Jewish children.
(I know that, by now, you’re wondering where this is going. I PROMISE…I’m about to make a point!)
Then, I divorced my 100% Jewish husband. Took our 100% Jewish children and got the HELL out of there.
About a year and a half later, I started dating a guy that I met through Jdate. An online Jewish dating site.
And…10 months later…we got married.
Together, we produced a 100% Jewish son.
So…
We now have 5 kids. My 3 are 100% Jewish. His two…are not. Keep this little fact in mind because I’m about to get to my point…
My youngest son goes to a preschool at our Synagogue.
There was a book fair going on.
My MIL…bought my son…my 100% JEWISH son…
for a little token gift…
a book…(I guess I should be happy she even bought him anything, right?)
about growing up…
in an Interfaith home.
About growing up…with two parents who have two different religious beliefs.
Last time I checked…both parents in THIS home…have the same belief. This. Is an INTRAfaith home, if you will.
My husband…his ex-wife…became Jewish…or…the politically correct wording, “Jew by choice”. Which, in a sense…makes his kids with her…Jewish. But…75%. And, her becoming Jewish wasn’t truly by choice either…but that’s another story.
So, I ask you…what reasoning would MIL have, to give our 100% Jewish son a book entitled “Papa Jethro” which, on the back, in plain english (not even Hebrew)…tells EXACTLY what the story is about…Interfaith families.
Isn’t she a marriage too late? Or did she just look at the pretty pictures and not read what the book was about?
Or is she trying to tell me something about my husband?
Either way…I find it very amusing. Which is why…
I had to
INTERBLOG about it!!
XOXO
oh. good. LORD!!!!!!!!!
but then… we all know about your MIL.
What a crazy MIL. The strange games people play……
Going into a house of worship, no matter what faith, without actually becoming part of that faith, is like going into a garage and calling yourself a car intending to become a car. Your MIL is NOT what she professes to be. She can not be a Jew, because to be one, she has to actually BE one. And this “episode” is just another element of proof that she is truly not one of us.
Judaism espouses peace; most of the prayers express that word, Shalom, and those of us who honor that word, whether or not we go through the dog-and-pony show that so many trips to the house of worship produce understand that. Your MIL is either a mean, hateful person who has not reconciled herself to having married a weak and foolish man, or else she is merely insane.
That’s a real ‘huh?!’ moment. Amazing.
wow, I think this is incredibly telling about the MIL. Maybe it’s time to sit the woman down and say it clearly what you are, what your children are… she’s been so awful in the past, is it because she’s misunderstood your history? Does she actually think YOU’re not Jewish? I’m just interposing my thoughts on your interblog 😉
That MIL of yours is a piece of work!