Holidays for The Half-Jew

[plumtreeblossom]

At no time in the year am I more aware of my Half-Jewishness than during the springtime holidays. Passover and Easter are quite on top of each other, and which I celebrate depends entirely upon who invites me to what function. As a dyed-in-the-wool Agnostic (not to be confused with atheist), I can go either way -- I just enjoy holidays and festivals. I don't spend it with the Christian half of my family, and their Easter is just a small chocolate & jellybean morning for the kids anyway. I've been out of regular touch with the Jewish half for long enough that it would be awkward to visit. So I just spend it in town and it's a Passover-Easter toss-up as to which side gets me.

The Jews have won for the past 6 or 7 years and I've been to seders each year (usually vegetarian or vegan seders). This year there hasn't been one that I knew I was invited to, so I haven't quite decided what to do with my weekend.

The December holidays are easier to layer, and I've even hosted very successful Channuchristmas parties myself. But the spring holidays both have a somewhat more serious edge, and you just can't interface them comfortably.

I know I'm welcome for services at the open and affirming First Congregational (I know because the gay Deacon says so!) but my heathen hide hasn't graced a church pew in a quarter-century, so I don't remember if there's any protocol to that.

I'm going hiking with Andy on Saturday afternoon, and have Monday off from work. Just a non-denominational dinner out with friends might be the nicest holiday option, if anyone is in town and interested. Let me know!

Comments

[majes.livejournal.com]

There is some party or other going on for Saturday afternoon/evening/until the end of time...
So... if you get bored or any such, you could always swing on by.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's right! And I've never been to one of yours before. Sounds like a great idea. :-)

[bex77]

I'd love to see you in my pew at First Church! We can sing and listen to brass and see the lillies...pop by just before 10 am.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I know so many people there that I feel funny that I've never been to a service. Maybe I just will. Should I wear an Easter bonnet? :-)

[bex77]

You can if you like. There will be folks all decked out, and folks in jeans, and everything in between. I am not much for hats myself, but I think I'll dig through my closet and pull out something festive.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome, and I haven't seen you in too long. I think I'll try to get a Sunday dinner group together. I've been wanting to try thsat new 400 Highland restaurant. I'll do some research and get the word out.

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

what does dyed-in-the-wool mean?

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

Means the fibers are dyed before being made into cloth. Hence, the dye is more integral to the material than it would be in a piece that had been, say, garment-dyed (only after it was already made and sewn). =-)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that's so much better a definition than I would have given, which would have been more like "it means really, seriously, totally." I just grew up with the expression and never stopped to even wonder about it's origins. This things learnt on LJ! :-)

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i'm a half jew too, and find passover winning each year. (also athiest, so very flexible)
had a pretty awesome seder this year full to the brim with goyim, hooray!