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

DEAR NINA: Conversations About Friendship is a podcast and newsletter about the ups and downs of adult friendship. I’m the host, Nina Badzin, a Minneapolis-based writer who accepted a position as a friendship advice columnist in 2014 and never stopped. DEAR NINA, the podcast, started in 2021, and has been referenced in The Wall Street JournalThe Washington PostTime Magazine, The GuardianThe Chicago TribuneThe Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere

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