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Original poster

Any secular Jewish mums--Hanukkah question

146 replies

Arabica · 13/10/2004 12:44

I'm from a Jewish background, my DH isn't. I was given a hideous, brainwash-style orthodox religious education which I hated every moment of from age 5. However, I know it doesn't have to be that way. I'd love to take DS to a Hannukah party or something similar where he can hear songs, see the candles, and maybe I can meet some like-minded parents, who see their cultural heritage as something to celebrate, even if they aren't believers and/or have married 'out'. I'm in N London.

OP posts:
Kayleigh · 20/10/2004 19:34

lisalisa, I have no problem going kosher, especially if it means you'll join us. Pizza/Pasta would be a good option for mine. Arabica, ok with you ???

Would we need to book if on sat night?? Maybe we could have two tables one for children & husbands and one for the ladies

prettycandles · 20/10/2004 19:58

That's fine with me too. Shall we say that dhs/dps are welcome but not obligatory?

Shall we also post a link to this thread on a new thread in the Meetups topic?

Lisalisa, would you choose an eatery for afterwards?

Kayleigh · 20/10/2004 22:20

Yes agree to making dh/dps welcome but not obligatory. I would like to bring mine. He has been to a few meet-ups with me so knows he will be in charge of looking after the children while I chat !!

Would be a good idea to start a meet-up thread. Can I leave it to one of you please as I am already arranging a watford meet-up and a city lunch meet-up.

Whilst on the subject of the watford meet-up why don't some of you north londoners come along ???It's an evening one so no kids. Bliss {grin]

Original poster
Arabica · 21/10/2004 10:51

Yes we love pizza and pasta, anything where you can get vegetarian stuff fine for us. If we stand outside Maccy Ds, will we be able to see the candles? I'm just thinking best to meet up somewhere where we have a good view rather than somewhere we'll have to move away from when everyone has met up with one another? Also not sure how I feel about opening up the meeting up arrangement to a wider audience because for me the whole point of posting in the first place was selfishly to meet other secular mums and I think they'd have found this thread already if they were looking. But maybe i am wrong.

OP posts:
lisalisa · 21/10/2004 12:14

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Arabica · 21/10/2004 12:46

Of course I don't mind you coming Lisalisa, and I am really looking forward to meeting you! Milk and Honey sounds fine. What I should have said is now I have a child I want to meet other mums to share the cultural side of things, but don't want to feel alienated because the faith side isn't there for me, as that's what has happened to me in the past at other Jewish events--I always feel like the odd one out.

OP posts:
lisalisa · 21/10/2004 13:40

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Arabica · 21/10/2004 13:55

I'd hate anyone to feel excluded as that was exactly why I was posting in the first place, because I felt excluded from Jewish activities before. But i also do really like the idea of getting to know the small group of people who've responded so far. What do people think?

OP posts:
lisalisa · 21/10/2004 14:39

Message withdrawn

Kayleigh · 21/10/2004 22:30

I think that like Arabica said, any other Jewish mums who wanted to join us would have found this thread by now. Maybe we can open up the next one (pesach 2005?!).

Milk & Honey sounds nice lisalisa, esp if it's in walking distance. I know parking can be a pain in Golders Green so would hate to have to do it twice !

Original poster
Arabica · 22/10/2004 00:58

ooh yes, a seder service is the one where you drink lots of wine, isn't it? I'm game!

OP posts:
prettycandles · 22/10/2004 15:14

I was in two minds about opening up the meet - but this morning, while pushing dd on the swing (multitasking ) I also came to the conclusion that interested parties would probably have found this thread by now. I hope you'll agree that if someone else 'like us' does join in this thread they'll be welcome to join the get-together?

On the practical side, I'd prefer to go somewhere within walking distance as parking in GG can be a mare at the best of times.

Have we fixed on a date?

crunchie · 22/10/2004 16:24

Hello all! I have just come across this thread. Unfortunatly I don't think I can come along to the meet up as I am at my parents celebrating that day!!

However one thing that has come out of all our interesting 'Jewish' chats on here is that I am starting a local pre-cheder kids group at our local shul I had met one other mum with kids and we thought it would be good for the kids too meet other jewish kids. Most/some of us have non-jewish partners, and very secular homes. The first meeting is next Sunday 31st and we will do Shabbat. The month after Channukah and making our own menorah (8 loo roll inners, large cereal box, kitchen roll inner, orange tissue. Turn cereal box inside out, cut 9 holes in big flat side (use loo roll inner to draw round), Stuff a 'candle' in each hole and paint. 'Light' extra candle each night!!) Cool

Original poster
Arabica · 22/10/2004 16:59

Hi Crunchie and Candles. We're talking about meeting Sat 11 December in front of Maccy Ds then walking or driving somewhere called Milk & Honey which doesn't sound too far away, correct me if I am wrong LisaLisa. But, Crunchie, we could see if anyone wants to do the Sunday instead if that was more convenient for you? I could do either (Hannukah won't have finished by then will it?) I like the sound of the menorah. Where is your cheder?
I am also really interested in Klezmer music by the way and there is a festival of Russian Jewish music at the South bank soon, can't find details right now, but that might be something else we could do especially if there are some free performances on to go with it as there sometimes are...sorry, rambling!

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IlanaK · 22/10/2004 17:16

Hi all,

I have only just come across this thread today. I am Jewish and dh is not. We do a bit of both (hence me organising the Mumsnet London kids christmas party!). I am in central london and can get to golders green, and would love to come. However, we are going away for 3 weeks to oz and get back on the 10th - so the 11th is probably pusing it. If you have it on the sunday though I would love to come. It is me, dh and ds1 (3) and ds2 (4 months).

frogs · 22/10/2004 18:21

Sorry to trespass on your thread, since am not even remotely Jewish, but have just remembered that a couple of years ago the Wallace Collection in Central London were running a Chanukah kids' session, which involved looking at parts of the collection for inspiration, and then all the children making a chanukiah (?) in the education centre downstairs, using plasticene and copper foil, IIRC.

Their website is still showing family activities from earlier in the year, but they've done it a few years running, so might be doing it again this year.

Original poster
Arabica · 22/10/2004 18:59

That sounds interesting Frogs! Thanks v much, I have never been to the Wallace so here's a reason to look at their website.
IlanaK, we'll see who wants Sat and who wants Sun. I'm easy . Otherwise will meet you at the Xmas party (I'm one of the tidier-uppers)

OP posts:
Original poster
Arabica · 22/10/2004 19:00

OK everyone, we need to decide whether we would like the Saturday or the Sunday, 11 or 12 December, for our meet-up.

OP posts:
Kayleigh · 22/10/2004 19:12

Hi, we can't to the sunday due to a chanukah party at my cousins (he is married to an israeli girl). But if the majority can only do Sunday don't worry, I will meet-up with you another time.

Original poster
Arabica · 26/10/2004 10:11

bump! Need feedback re dates...

OP posts:
prettycandles · 26/10/2004 13:19

Either date is fine for me.

lisalisa · 26/10/2004 13:49

Message withdrawn

Kayleigh · 26/10/2004 14:03

ooohhh, saturday is looking good

Original poster
Arabica · 26/10/2004 20:24

Thanks for replying, looks like Saturday it is, but maybe there will be other chances for us all to meet up and do something Jewish-related for those who can't do the Sat--sorry IlanaK. What about twiglett, sleeplessmumof2 and crunchie?

OP posts:
crunchie · 27/10/2004 17:16

Nogo to either I'm afraid Sat at my parents, sunday at inlaws. However another time.