Combining Judaism and Non-belief

It seems like ages ago that I posted about my conflict over the Sunday School we had tried. I wanted Princess to know that we aren't the only Jewish family. I wanted to bring more Jewish culture into her life. I wanted to do this without the religious side of it. I thought I had found all this at Kol Shalom, a humanistic synagogue here in Portland, but after going three times and experiencing the class I didn't feel that I found what I was looking for.

This is such a long complicated path and I feel like I should share a little about how I got here as well as how it's possible to be a Jew and not believe in God. I didn't even know that there were others like me, but it turns out that others have believed as I do for a long time. Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine started the Humanistic Judaism movement way back in 1963.

Years ago I started to question things about my beliefs. A lot didn't make sense. I had issue with the fact that every prayer was, in essence, telling God how great he is. I even went so far as to talk with a rabbi asking why God was so insecure that he needed all this praise. He gave me answers, but I left feeling very unsatisfied.

My beliefs have changed over the years and I do still have beliefs. I believe that everything is energy and all energy if effected by all energy. I believe in the Law of Attraction. I believe that what you put out comes back to you.

I love the traditions of Judaism. After dropping the religious part of Judaism I really enjoyed the rest. It took me a while to realize that I didn't believe in a higher power, but once I realized that I was able to embrace the traditions of Judaism that I love so much. I just need to incorporate some changes into the way we celebrate, specifically the prayers.

Rather than go on and on I will post our celebrations as they happen and how they happen. I will try to include the changes that we make and how our celebration is different than the religious part. There are some holidays that we celebrate and some that, at the moment, we don't. I want to learn more about the ones we don't and decide if I'd like to incorporate them into our life.

I'm still at the beginning of this journey. I am looking forward to learning more and am happy to have you all read along.

Happy Purim!

Well, it's one day late. Can you believe I forgot to post about it yesterday?! What was I thinking? I feel like I've let you down so much. Oh, what you must think of me! I am so very sorry. I just don't know how it happened! Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? Please?

What? You don't know what Purim is? Oh...silly me! Well, Purim (pronounced Poorim) is a Jewish holiday. The story of Purim is told in the book of Esther. We don't follow the religious part of it all, but we love the traditions! The holiday was yesterday, but we're celebrating it all over the place.

We baked Hamantashen on Saturday with my sister. Hamantashen are sort of like little tarts and they're so good. Yes, the gluten avoidance goes out the window when Hamantashen are around. Yummo!

On Sunday the Humanist synagogue is having a Purim party. It's our first Purim party and we're very excited. We don't really know what to expect. One of the the fun things about this holiday is that it is tradition to dress up. I will have to see if I can find something to wear. I'm certain that Princess will find something in her costume trunk. If I get photos at the party I'll be sure to post them here next week.

Well, Happy Purim everyone!!!

Sunday School

An odd concept for the Jewish Atheist Unschooler, I know. But, I've been feeling like there is something missing. I love the traditions of Judaism and we have some beautiful traditions in our little family. Still, there are things that I have forgotten over the years and some holidays that we don't really do anything. I would also love for my daughter to know that she isn't the only Jewish kid out there.

We are fortunate to have a Humanistic Synagogue here in Portland, perfect for the Atheist Jew. A while back I thought about becoming a member of the congregation and "getting involved". It never happened. It never happened because I realized that (at this point in my life, anyway) I didn't want it to happen. Still, I felt that something was missing. I've been thinking a lot about it this week and finally realized that it doesn't have to be a package deal. We can just do Sunday School.

The one thing holding me back was the fact that our daughter is very attached and would not be comfortable going on her own just yet. My husband said he would be happy to take her, but honestly, his plate is so full I didn't want to add yet another thing. Well, it seems that my Sundays will be clearing up a little so I will be available. I am really excited about this! It's a bit early now, but I will make some phone calls and make it happen...maybe even in time for Purim.