How familes (and communities) are supposed to be
David Bogner over at Treppenwitz posted a great story about a past Thanksgiving that I think everyone should read. Being observant of the laws of kashrut is not always the default in Jewish communities, or even in extended families, but this family goes to a huge effort to make sure that there are no hindrances in the way of everyone joining in. While Lindsey and I have been blessed in the past by some family members and close friends making efforts to ensure that we can eat the food that they are serving, the vast majority of our friends and family members do not know or even care about the restrictions in our diet.
I really wish that the Messianic community would learn from this example. Just because you don't follow the laws of kashrut or don't observe them as strictly as someone else, does not mean that you can't accommodate those that do, especially in synagogue-related activities. Defaulting to the highest observance level is not about condoning that observance. It is about making the event accessible to everyone, just as much as putting in a wheelchair ramp or having Spanish translations of the service.
Labels: Judaism, Messianic Judaism, Personal
The various musings and kvetchings of a Torah-observing, eBook-editing, wife-adoring, baby-loving ger. Everything from Torah study to technology is fair game. 
1 Comments:
I have been thinking about that. I don't have a lot of room, but here is what I've been working on...
My bedroom is not being used right now, so if the Tallent family would like to spend some time at my house, you are all more than welcome to be here.
my kitchen isn't used either, so it wouldn't be too hard to set up. When I go to the store, I look for the OU stamp or some other certification, and my fridge is empty. I don't have any kosher dishes, but if you brought some, we would be able to use them.
the biggest thing is the act of making the kitchen kosher, and it can be done in a short amount of time (a couple of hours).
Belden's isn't so far from where I live, so I could pick up some kosher meat.
Cooking isn't really my thing, but I can have the fixings here for you guys. So if you want to stay here, just give me some notice, and I will be happy to put you all up for the weekend or whatever.
Better still, maybe you could come down for Thanksgiving :) It's only a couple of hours away, you know.
I know you have a group of friends in town who can accommodate your lifestyle, but I'd like to be added to the list. After all, you are the coolest kosher friends I know.-nr
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