Raffi and Blankie on the Road to Florida, May 2008
Sydney has two very special things in her life: Raffi and Blankie. And in case you're curious, Blankie is a "girl" and apparently also Jewish.
She adopted Blankie as her most "special" thing many years ago (age 2?) which was once a lavender receiving blanket with little bunnies on it. Over the years it's faded and beome extremely thread bare which is part of blankie's allure. See, those frayed edges are her special "tickler" things--- and she self soothes by holding the edges between her thumb and forefinger-- or stroking the loose edges against her face (or yours if she's feeling affectionate).
Raffi was a stuffed animal purchased at Zoo Atlanta by my mom after a visit there 3 years ago. He is THE animal that must be with us at all times. His fur is matted, eyes, scratched and has quite the floppy neck.
Today Raffi and Blankie took on entirely new personalities as Syndey announced shortly after waking up: "Blankie is Jewish, and Raffi is Christian."
Scott and I, who were still laying in bed tried very hard not to laugh and simply said "OK."
At that point Blankie attempted to "say the blessings" however apparenly he doesn't know Hebrew so she sang "Shabbat Shalom" instead.
I found the whole thing hysterical and realized that all our open discussions of who-is-what, and who belives what is starting to sink in..... and that they hopefully have a very healthy respect for all people regardless of belief or religious affliation. Of course they also now think "Irish" is a religion... having a hard time with that one.
Right now they both accept and proudly state that "Mommy is not Jewish. We are." And there is no value judgement attached to that declaration. I hope it always stays that way as they explore their identify and parts of their heritage. Religious education begins this fall and it will hopefully allow them to get a clearer picture of what they're in for the next 8 years (Bat Mitzvah Age) or the rest of their life if they choose to stay in the faith.
At the same time, I know that exposure to the love and support and values at St. Andrews has helped shape them into the wonderful kids they are today. They'll likely always be surrounded by more non-Jews that Jews-- that's just how the world works.
But if Raffi and Blankie can get along so well-- can't we all?
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