I was named after my paternal grandfather who died in a concentration camp in Vaihingen an der Enz in Southern Germany on January 11 1945. I grew up in a traditional Jewish home in the Netherlands, firmly rooted in Reform Judaism.
Always having been the kind that asks questions (a very Jewish character-trait), I became more interested in the Conservative and Orthodox answers to my questions.
I was actively encouraged by Rabbi Jacob Soetendorp Z”L who said to me, “You should never stop asking questions, even though you may THINK that you know the answer” and I have followed his advice during my whole life.
Memorial plaque for my grandfather and his mother: Holocaust commemoration site Vaihingen an der Enz – Germany.
Author in the reflection.
I studied Political science and Theology at the Amsterdam University, married and we had three children and that is where this book began.
When children grow up in a western society and public schools, they get Christianity as part of the culture; but how can we, the somewhat secularized Jewish parents, give them Judaism – OUR culture?
Enter the Jewish home, the synagogue, the parasha of the week and lots of choices.
How Jewish a home? Kosher food and kitchen? Observance of Shabbath and holidays? If yes, what about school-parties on Friday-evening etc….., choices!
Synagogue: How far away is it? (in our case it was luckily only a 15 minute walk); Do we (have to) go every week? And what about all those holidays with long services – too long for the children?… Choices!
Parasha of the week: That wasn’t a problem, at least that is what I thought. We read it every week and talk about it – after all, there has got to be quality texts for inquisitive children, at least, that is what I thought. But in this case, there was no choice.
The children have grown up and have children of their own, the next generation!
I hear you asking: what about the background in Judaism, halacha (Jewish rules about life) etc?
I have studied that in one way or another during my whole life. Sometimes with the help of rabbis I met during my life, sometimes with the help of the internet and my own curiosity and the last couple of years with the help of my son who lives in Israel with his wife and (at this time of writing) 3 children and studies at an orthodox Yeshivah.
I am currently working as an Industrial consultant and living in Sweden.
