Sam's first real Jewish experience

Teaching our children about Judaism is a very important value in our family.  Since the first night of Sam's life, we have a nightly ritual before we put him to bed.  Brad and I sing the Sh'ma and V'havta in Hebrew and in English.  We sing the English version by Debbie Friedman (see my blogpost on her recent passing 2 weeks ago).  Although we don't quite sound like this, here's what the song sounds like in English.  After we sing the prayers, we each say something that we're thankful that day.  It's been a wonderful nightly routine that we deeply cherish.

Last night we celebrated Shabbat as we do every week, but it was probably Sam's first REAL Jewish experience...which I'll get to in a second (or you can scroll down).

Sam was first welcomed to Judaism at his bris (circumcision) at our home when he was 5 weeks old.  Traditionally the bris is done on the baby's 8th day of life unless the baby is not healthy enough for the procedure.  Given that Sam was in the NICU for 3 weeks, it was clearly not going to occur on the 8th day.  We had over 125 people in our home for the bris and we had everyone leave messages for our family in a guestbook. 

My favorite note in the guestbook said "Sam, welcome to Judaism! It gets a lot better after today's bris, I promise!"  So funny, and yet so true!

Most people probably know that Brad converted to Judaism a few years ago and we celebrate the holidays and try to teach Sam about Judaism whenever we can. Here are a few of our favorite Jewish holiday pictures:

Hanukkah with Grandpa, Uncle D, & Mimi - Dec. '09

Grogger at Purim!

Dressing up for Purim, on the bimah at the synagogue

Hanukkah December 2010

 As much as we enjoy celebrating all of the festivals and holidays, the most important Jewish holiday is the weekly Sabbath.  Regardless of what is going on in our lives, we try to do something special for Shabbat every Friday night.  Sometimes this is just us quickly lighting the Sabbath candles, saying the blessings over the candles, wine, challah, and the blessings over the children.

Sam's first Shabbat home from the NICU was very special, Brad even made his amazing challah!

However, last night's Shabbat dinner might have been my favorite Shabbat ever.  After we light the Sabbath candles, we move our hands and arms over the newly lit flames in a circular fashion towards ourselves, making 3 circles with our hands to bring the Sabbath spirit into our hearts. We do this every Friday night and Sam usually watches.

But last night, Sam saw us lighting the candles and as soon as we started making the circles with our hands, he started making the circles too!  I was blown away and so unbelievably moved that he was able to participate in one of the most important rituals in Judaism.  Some people believe that lighting the Sabbath candles is a job only performed by women, but in our egalitarian home, Brad and I light the candles together - and now Sam does too!  It was such a special moment, something I will never ever forget.

We also say prayers over the Sabbath wine (or juice in our house since Sam nor I drink wine).  At the end of the prayer, we say Amen and then L'Chaim (it's like saying "Cheers!" or "Salut!" before you drink something).  Brad and I then clink our glasses and drink the wine/juice.  We always give Sam a little cup of juice so he can participate in the prayer and last night he raised his cup to clink with us too!

Of course, it wasn't long before he then wanted my wine glass with juice in it...



It was one of the most special Shabbat dinners we've had in a very long time.  Shabbat Shalom to all!