[Mezzo1]

We adopted our daughter from Russia. We have a number of friends who did the same. One friend said that she wants to get the families together some time in the next few weeks to celebrate the Russian Christmas. She understands that we're Jewish and said she would totally understand if we didn't want to join.

We do want our daughter to be aware of Russian customs and traditions, but quite honestly don't want to get into a tradition that is religious in nature since we are Jewish. We are always invited to our non-Jewish friends for Christmas celebrations, and we include our non-Jewish friends in the Jewish holidays as well, but in those cases though there is no confusion about whose holiday it is.

What have others done about encorporating the traditions of their childs country of origin?

Thanks.

Leslie

[spaypets]

We brought home our daughter from India in May and have been trying to balance the teaching her about her birth culture with teaching her about being Jewish.

Our situation is a bit different because Indian holidays are so far out of the US mainstream they won't be in conflict with Judaism the way observing Russian Orthodox Christmas would.

At any rate, I'm leaning toward observing civil holidays like Indian independence day (the tradition is to fly kites) rather than religious ones. Though Divali is technically a religious holiday, we'll probably just eat Indian food and decorate with lights.

When we had our daughter's baby naming, we had the party catered by an Indian restaurant. We light the Shabbat candles and often have an Indian meal on Fridays.

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably avoid the Christmas celebration too and concentrate on celebrating Jewish holidays with Russian Jewish traditions.

[Shai's Mom]

Your daughter is being raised in a Jewish home, by Jewish parents, so the observance of or the participation in other religious holidays would be confusing. I don't think you'd be doing her a favor.

Russia is a country rich with history and tradition, I'm sure you'll be able to teach her about her ethnic background without getting religion involved.

Good Luck!