Jewish Mommy Meme

HomeShuling tagged me for the following meme. Here goes nothing...


The Holiday version of the Jewish Mommy Meme:


One menorah, or several? Hillel or Shammai? (just kidding about that part)

Many. We have a plethora of Chanukiot in this house - kid friendly, kid-created, wedding gift, etc. We usually light several at a time.


Do you buy your children gifts for every night of Chanukah?

Not really. They get gifts from the family, and one big gift from Mommy and Daddy. The other nights of Chanukah are small - candies, etc.


Do you and your spouse/partner or any other adults in your life exchange gifts?

No. Chanukah is for the kids.


Special family chanukah traditions?

Every year, I attempt to make latkes. Every year, I fail miserably and we end up ordering them or buying frozen.


Latkes or sufganiyot? If latkes, sour cream or applesauce?

For me - latkes with sour cream, although I am not sure my new teeny-tiny stomach will let me have them this year! My kids would definitely pick sufganiyot - chocolate.


Favorite chanukah book?

We read so many stories, probably the traditional story is favored here. Music, however, is big. We tune in to the XM Radio's Hanukkah Channel, and we love listening to Craig Taubman's "Celebrate Hanukkah"


Do you actually play dreidl? If so, what do you use for counters?

Yes. When my son was four, his teacher asked me to come to preschool to teach about Chanukah. I decided jelly doughnuts and dreidle would be fun for the little kids. The teacher watched me play dreidle with the kids, and asked me, shocked, "Is this like GAMBLING???"


What relationship, if any, do you have with Christmas and all things Christmas-y?

None. My son, who went to preschool in a decidedly non-Jewish area and was the only Jewish kid in his class, is totally uninterested. My daughter, who went to synagogue preschool in a VERY Jewish area, is all about all things Santa. We decided that it was better not to make a huge deal out of it. Our kids are very comfortable with their Jewishness - and a fat man in a red suit really doesn't threaten us. When she asked if Santa would come visit our house, we told her that his job is for Christmas, so he would not be coming to our house. We also told her that Santa is friends with everybody, just like she is. If she wants to say hi to him, that is okay!.



Okay - if you are reading this - TAG, YOU'RE IT!!