Christmas Tree and a Menorah

Lutheran. Jewish. Christmas. Hanukkah. So which is it? For my family, it’s always been a bit of both.

If you happen to be looking for the only Jewish farmer in Renville County, I can introduce you – he’s my Dad! And on Saturday, my sister and brother-in-law hosted a special Hanukkah lunch in his honor. My Mom is Lutheran, and that’s how I and my siblings were raised, but my Dad and most of his side of the family are Jewish so we’ve also gotten to learn a bit about Hanukkah (and other Jewish) traditions as well. And while my Dad isn’t what you would call a “practicing” Jew (Renville County is home to corn fields, small towns, John Deere tractors and many churches – but there is not a synagogue in sight!), being Jewish is still a big part of his heritage.

That’s exactly why my sister started a tradition of a special Hanukkah meal at her home, where we all enjoy Jewish food traditions, light Hanukkah candles on the Menorah and read about what Hanukkah is all about. We feel it’s important to  embrace our Dad’s heritage and make sure his grandchildren grow up knowing a bit of this history, as well.

This year’s menu included matzo ball soup, sweet potato latkes, kosher challah bread and beef brisket – along with some “faux” Star of David cookies. Faux because – as I am sure you can tell – they weren’t 6-point stars. The only star cookie cutter I had at home was 5-point, so I guess I need to find myself some Hanukkah cookie cutters for next year!

Being raised by parents with two different religions has never been an issue for me. My Dad may not have attended church with us every Sunday, but he was always welcomed into our Lutheran church for our special Sunday School and holiday programs so he could watch his three kids recite Bible verses and sing Christmas songs. And to be honest, my Grandma Doris (my Dad’s mom) seemed like she embraced most holidays regardless of religious affiliation. I think she loved getting family together, feeding us a huge meal and listening to the laughter that filled her house. Did she have a Menorah and a Christmas tree in her house? Yes, she did! And none of this was confusing to me because it was all based on her love for her family.

Next week, our family will celebrate Christmas at the family farm, where there is both a Menorah glowing in the window and a Christmas tree lighting up the living room. This time, our meal will include a few of my mom’s Norwegian family traditions – including lutefisk and lefse. And while my Jewish Dad probably won’t eat lutefisk, I know he will enjoy the rest of the meal and will no doubt be pleased that his family is sitting around him, laughing, telling stories … all of us grateful that we are together.