Don’t Be Jewish For Me

I wrote what I believe is an unusual answer to a series at Kveller.com called “Why Be Jewish?”.Don't be jewish for me

I have some strong beliefs about why I’m Jewish, but the answer I chose to focus on is probably a surprising one for a parenting site.

See, I don’t believe in “Jewish continuity” as a reason to be Jewish, but continuity is such a big focus of what happens in the organized Jewish community and even within Jewish homes. I don’t want my kids to be Jewish for me, just like I’m not Jewish for my parents. I don’t want them to join a synagogue for me. They shouldn’t light Shabbat candles or celebrate holidays for me, or for their father, or for their grandparents. Why should they? I tried to start that conversation in today’s piece.

And what happens if they decide to drop it all? I answered that question, too.

My short answer to the assignment was this: I am Jewish for me, not for my kids.

What the heck do I mean by that? I explain it here. And I bet some people will totally disagree. That’s cool. And so Jewish. Thanks for checking it out!

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Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

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Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

Get The Newsletter

I send an email once or twice a month with the latest friendship letters, podcast episodes, book reviews, recipes, and more.

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