Megillah, January - February 2003

Editorial

I read an interesting article recently. It was about the "Jewish" definition of your home. Living in a truly diverse area as we live in, if someone walked into your home, could he/she recognize it as a Jewish home?

After reading the article, I looked around our home with a new perspective. Of course, the Israeli flag on display outside of our house might be a clue. But, seriously, what does our home say about our religious beliefs? There is the mezuzzah on the door -- if you notice it. The paintings and handiwork on the walls in the living room and dining room show our interest in Judaic art.

Then there are the shabbat candlesticks on the sideboard. The china figurines depicting the bar mitzvah boy, the sofar blower, and the woman lighting Shabbat candles in the breakfront; the engraved silver platter I received when I was president of sisterhood. There are the "Jewish" books on the bookshelves, a Hadassah magazine lying around, left wherever I was reading it. In the kitchen are Jewish cookbooks. By the computer there is a stack of papers waiting to be typed for The Megillah, or, if you happen to come in the house when it is time to mail out the current issue of our synagogue newsletter, copies will be spread out all over the dining room.

I am beginning to feel smug. Of course you could tell that this is a Jewish home. Then I start thinking about my parents' house. Of course you could tell you were in a Jewish home when you were there. But how? I do not especially remember Jewish artwork on the walls. Perhaps the candlesticks were a giveaway; but there was no blatant display of Judaic articles. There was that small dish my Aunt brought back from Israel -- it was in the china closet. SO? When you walked into my parents' house, you just knew you were in a Jewish home. How? I really do not know. I always just knew. There was this feeling. The Jewish "spirit" was there. Just as certain as I knew I had to go to Hebrew school -- just as certain as I knew that I would always be safe there -- I was that certain that this was a Jewish home. I can only hope that my children can look back on our home and feel the same way. Not because of the "Jewish" objects lying around, but because of the Jewish spirit within the walls.

~Bernice Cohen