Growing up is hard enough, try being Jewish. It’s a blessing and a curse. It’s a curse, because you are constantly explaining yourself and your “odd” traditions. It’s a blessing, because of the instant connection you have with other Jewish people. Here’s a list of things every Jewish kid has to deal with living in a Gentile world.
1. People asking you if you celebrate Christmas
No, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. Since the Jewish faith believes Jesus was only a prophet and not the Messiah, we do not really have a reason to celebrate his birth in the way Christians do.
2. Subsequently, people asking if Hanukkah is the "Jewish Christmas"
Hanukkah is just a celebration of a war victory of the Maccabees against the Greeks. The tradition of giving gifts came about as a response to Christmas. The Jewish tradition is actually to give gelt (monetary gifts) during the holiday from ancient narratives.
3. Having to get a school excuse from your Rabbi
You will never get perfect attendance as long as High Holidays are concerned. Missing school a couple of days out of the year rocks, but getting a written note from your Rabbi was a pain.
4. Having the biggest middle school party your friends attended
Your friends had no idea what you were saying for 2 hours and they didn't understand why you were doing it, but they were excited to get dressed up, eat food, and party.
5. Being asked if you are going to marry someone Jewish.
Sure, that would be awesome. It's much easier to relate to someone who grew up with similar values and traditions as you, but this is a completely personal preference.
6. Jewish geography
There are only so many of us, it's pretty easy to know someone, who knows someone that you went to camp with, or that your cousin knows. In a broader sense, Jewish geography is naming every Jewish person you know in a certain and area and figuring out if the other person know them too.
7. Everyone looking at you during World History
The teacher briefly mentions WWII or the Holocaust and all eyes are on you, because you're obviously the only Jewish person in the class.
8. Birthright as a life-changing adventure
What's better than a free 10-day trip to the Holy Land, and annoying your friends when you come back and talk about it for the next 3 months.
9. Jewish guilt
Don't bother asking your mom for anything without hearing about it 10 times after.
10. "You don't look Jewish"
This one doesn't really apply to me, because I do "look" Jewish, brown eyes, brown hair. On the contrary, my rabbi is a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman; boy does that throw people off.
11. Bagels and Lox
Why do we love it? Um, because its delicious.
12. Referring to your people as "The Tribe"
