Let's Talk: Happy Holidays!
There, I said it. The dirty word. "Holidays."
Daring of me, no?
Not really. I live in a mixed world. My neighborhood, my community, of course--although Litchfield county, Connecticut, may well be the one part of planet where white people sprang fully formed from the ground.
Specifically, I mean my relationship. We're mixed. Around here, it's my Christmas and his Hanukkah.
Or not even his Hanukkah. When I met Bruce, he didn't like to celebrate any religious holidays. Sure, he might have gone to his family's on the first night of Passover; but if left to his own devices, he wouldn't have done a thing.
I remember our first Passover in New York after his mother had moved away. It was about two weeks before and I asked him what we were doing for the first night. He shrugged. Sheepishly. But shrugged nonetheless.
Well, I wasn't having any of that. We were celebrating Passover. Period. Even if this Gentile had to write the Haggadah.
And you know what? I think Bruce liked it. Because we've done it every year since.
I also build the menorah for Hannukah. We don't have a traditional one. Instead, I put out nine different candles, all of different shapes and sizes, tall and short, fat and thin. We light them one by one, night by night, as per tradition.
And Bruce makes latkes. Nope, not fried. Baked. In muffin tins. They were pretty good last night. With his homemade applesauce. Even if he did serve them with pork chops. Yes, from our own pig. But still. Pork chops on Hanukkah? I'm pretty sure the Rabbis don't make a locavore exception. (If you want to see the recipe we developed for those latkes, it's here, on the EATING WELL website--although, for goodness sake, they don't even credit us!)
Do I celebrate Christmas? Of course! Easter? Yep. Advent? Sometimes. Not this year. I'm not in the mood to repent. The year's been too challenging on too many levels. But usually, yep, I even do Advent. Lent, too.
Which means we're a house of holidays. Many all at once. There's always a reason for another dinner!
My holiday wish is for us to become that as a nation: a house of many holidays. All of them, all at once.
All it takes is a little grace. A little give.
But that's the hard part, right? Opening our hands, untightening our fingers, and letting go? That's the part that takes the leap of faith. Not believing, but doing--that is, trusting that by letting go we aren't giving up. We're growing in grace.
That's also the heart of religion. It's not about drawing the boundaries and then quivering in fear of those outside the circle. It's about knowing where the circle lies--and then stepping outside it entirely. That's what all the great religious leaders have done: been inside a circle and stepped outside it, too. That's how we can follow their lead. In small ways. But enough that finally we're all celebrating.
Happy holidays.
Christmas, Hanukkah, celebrating holidays, happy holidays, holidays, latkes, religion
Reader Comments (8)
It's great that you have come to grips with this "hoiiday" season. Not all have. It's not by coincidence that there are more suicides around this time of year than any other. Pressures from family, church, comercialism, etc take there toll for years to come. And it's a shame it has grown to be like this. Shouldn't be and definately doesn't need to be.
Me? This time of year means only one thing to me. The Winter Solstice happens in Dcenber and that means days will be getting longer.
And New Years? Mine starts on my birthday...which is real close to the Summer Solstice.
I enjoy your blog and some of your recipes.
Best to you, regardless of the time of year.
The Farnz
Sounds delicious. How many eggs would you use if using them in place of the egg sub? Thanks
Lovely sentiments, thanks for sharing them with us! Grace - as you say, it's the centre of everything. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas! xx
That's what all the great religious leaders have done: been inside a circle and stepped outside it, too.
Or, to quote from a memorable discussion I once read between two religious leaders of two very different faiths: "We work in different divisions, but we have the same boss."
Grace and joy to you in this Chrismukkah season!
Thank you all so much! I'm so glad we can dance together.
M.
FROM BRUCE
First off, Amy, use 1 egg for each 1/4 cup egg substitute.
But a good ratio for baked latkes is 3 pounds yukon golds, 1 med onion, 3 eggs, a decent handful of matzo meal (yeah, it's the Jewish grandmother measurement), salt, and pepper. Oil the tins, pack in the mixture, and bake for 1 hour, brushing the tops with olive oil while there are 10 minutes still left on the clock.
And as for Passover, Mark's haggadah is a script and we all play a role in the exodus. And we have props too -- for the plagues. We throw ping pong balls at each other for hail, put on sunglasses for darkness. The killing of the first born? We haven't quite perfected that one yet.
Beautifully said, once again.
Thank your for the reminder that it's not all about ME, silly that I need that reminder so often.
God Bless you!
Annette
My best friend growing up was Jewish. Her family's traditions have interspersed with mine making December one beautiful hodgepodge. I always make latkes and these wonderful little Hanukkah donuts in early December. I also do tourtieres in memory of one wonderful Christmas I spent in Montreal, and an array of Ukranian and Polish dishes for my husband.
I am definitely going to check out your recipe for latkes in muffin cups - who knew!!!!!
Sending my love and good wishes to you both. One of the things I love about blogging is the opportunity to connect with people you just know you would love in "real life" but would never otherwise have the opportunity to meet.
Huge SMOOCHES!