Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Of Faith, Death & Tradition

Click HERE for my story in today's Chicago Parent.

Not really a religious picture, but serpents are HUGE in Judeo-Christian doctrine, so I went with it.  

9 comments:

  1. Awesome story. As a cradle Catholic, I certainly understand the parking-lot coolers and Saturday afternoon mass. People think we're joking.

    -andi

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    1. How about it? Mourning isn't mourning without a beer with Uncle Larry in the 'lot, no?

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  2. I had the unique privilege, as a Christian, of teaching one year in a Yeshivah. I taught first grade girls in the morning and second grade boys in the afternoon. I learned so much about my own faith and imparting faith to our youth that year. I asked the Rabbi why he hired me, and he said for my educational background. I loved the traditions maintained by these serious Jews and how they passed them down to their children. I would have taught there another year, but they got behind in paying staff.

    However, I agree with Joe. Choosing a faith for what benefits me, the best deal, is highly suspect.

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    1. That's awesome you did that, Carol! What an experience.

      As for me, let the record show that I AM highly suspect. ;)

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  3. My great-great grandfather was a Jewish Rabbi from Latvia, so I have always loved the beautiful rituals and traditions of that faith. Although the cooler in the parking lot is also intriguing. ;)

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    1. Wow, Danelle - that is so cool! But let me tell you, when I go, feel free to stop by the parking lot with the family. You'd enjoy it. :)

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  4. I was raised Presbyterian (you know...The Frozen Chosen?) but only dated Catholic boys. I even snuck ashes from my dad's pipe in a Baggie so that I could besmudge my head on the way to the bus because my friends--hell, almost everybody in town--were Catholics and I didn't want to be the only kid without a smudge. My daughter (not her real name) is in Brooklyn, where she meets a lot of Jewish boys, and she dates them and it's a novelty right now. But it's cool if she wants to convert (from what we are now, which is lapsed agnostic, I guess) I say go for it.
    But I secretly hopes she marries a Catholic so my husband has someone to compare knuckle scars with.

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    1. You are a hoot, Kirby. Your daughter (not her real name) would do well by finding a nice Catholic boy with broken knuckles (see: Joe Walsh). They make for fine dads & husbands. And did I tell you about the wakes.....???? :)

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  5. Interesting. I have never heard of these traditions. Do you have to BYOS (bring your own shovel)? Hahaha...sorry. I couldn't help it.

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