In light of the recent Jewish high holidays period, I’m going to devote some brief blog space to talk about the different types of Jews that observe them.
My friend Vikki Weiss Goldman authored a wonderful ‘Jewish Education’ book called “What to do when you are dating a Jew“. In it, she reviews the Jewish High Holidays and gives 2 (or 3) examples of Jews that I probably align with the most.
There is the “Three-Day Jew” characterized by:
- Someone who only practices Judaism three times a year
- Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover
Just as prevalent are the Holidays: 2 only or H2O Jews characterized by:
- Someone who only practices Judaism 2 times a year
- Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Last but not least, a new category of Jews called “Christmas-Easter Jews” characterized by:
- Someone who is highly assimilated who also celebrate some Christian holidays
- No church going nor displaying of nativity scenes, they do open presents on 12/25 and dye Easter eggs however.
I find this to be very similar to some Chinese people I know. i.e. my parents. They are only buddhist when they have to be…I guess like in all cultures, people are free to worship as they choose.
Which category are you in?
Image from http://www.holidays.net/sukkot/
Oct 29, 2011 @ 11:35:52
Welcome to the GeneaBloggers family. Hope you find the association fruitful; I sure do. I have found it most stimulating, especially some of the Daily Themes.
May you keep sharing your ancestor stories!
Dr. Bill
http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/
Author of “13 Ways to Tell Your Ancestor Stories” and family saga novels:
“Back to the Homeplace” and “The Homeplace Revisited”
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/
http://www.examiner.com/x-53135-Springfield-Genealogy-Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-58285-Ozarks-Cultural-Heritage-Examiner
Nov 03, 2011 @ 16:10:16
Hello from Canada. I’m not in any category. I was born in Israel to Jewish parentsand wrote a fiction book set in China after living with a lovel Chinese woman for a fe wyears. She’s now back in Hong Kong. Your Chinese heritage is wonderful, and I fail to understand your quest to find also a Jewish heritage. But best wishes in yoru search
Nov 07, 2011 @ 04:10:26
Just a note- the image you have of the man celebrating sukkot with the lulav and etrog inside the yellow star of david is backwards. I mean all the Hebrew letters are backwards.
Best of luck with your search.
Wendy