Consecration
Yesterday Noah participated in our temple’s consecration ceremony. This symbolizes the beginning of the first graders formal Torah study, although I don’t actually see much formal Torah studying going on as compared to, say, the kindergarten curriculum last year. I think that for our temple it’s mostly about the community welcoming our children into the fold and celebrating our commitment to help them learn about Judaism and what it means to be a good Jew. My father (who is Jewish) came but the other grandparents couldn’t make it for various reasons (weddings and illness).
I always wonder how it is for my father to come to temple and see Noah growing in his Judaism since five out of his six children did not grow up in homes that were the least bit observant. My oldest half-sister’s mom is Jewish but I don’t know how observant she is or if she is raising her own kids as Jews.
My youngest half-sister is interested in Judaism and my father has encouraged her to get involved in the temple. I have, too, mostly because I think that having a structure in which to learn about faith is important for many agnostic kids. When I first began exploring my spirituality, I found it really overwhelming to sift through various creeds. Rooting myself in Judaism feels comfortably familiar and it centers my outlook but I don’t think that the Jews have a lock on truth. Anyway, I think it’s good to give kids a place to begin their spiritual journeys and I also think it’s important to give them room to take a different path, too.
I know some of my friends are reluctant to commit to a formal faith practice with their kids and I can appreciate that. The mistake is in thinking that by giving kids a faith, you’re invalidating other religious belief systems or creating a child whose worldview will always be limited. I believe that religious observation gives the family more opportunity to discuss big questions and also gives children the chance to see that humans are fallible even when we’re trying really hard to do things the “right” way. It’s perfectly all right — even necessary — to disagree with basic tenets within formal religious teachings. After all, religion is a way to bring people closer to God; studying and critical thinking, following your heart even when it leads you away from your religious leaders is a big part of that. Our big goal for Noah is to have him feel comfortable in having a personal dialogue with God/the universe/everything and only he can be the author of that.
But then we’re Reform Jews; what can I say?
I find it very inspiring when I meet families who create their own faith practices, too. Certainly religion doesn’t need the roots within a church or synagogue but having other people around who share your commitment is an awfully nice thing.
I have been thinking so much about the precall that we got. I badly want a baby soon but I am also very very aware that this birthmom is in such a painful, difficult position. I also know that we’re not the only people whose bios are being sent to her and I’m sure that they are feeling as desperately hopeful as I am. It’s strange wanting something so much and knowing at the same time that if it comes to fruition, there will be others who will be left in pain and/or disappointment.
I feel very woven into the world — tied to the other waiting parents and to the birthmoms who are sifting through our bios trying to make very difficult decisions.
This was lovely to read Dawn.
My youngest DD will be consecrated on Sunday. We always do it at Simchat Torah. Its a joyous day.
And I trust that the universe you are so deeply tied to will bring you good things.
Sarah (a faithful, although usually quiet reader).