Momma Mia, Mea Culpa

Yesterday, I told you how my mother and I prepare for Family Functions. And I also explained that we have a lot of those around here because we celebrate both the Jewish and Catholic holidays.

And now I’m going to tell you why.

Anyone up for a quick family history?

Yes?

Good.

Let’s start with my grandmother, my mother’s mother, Manga. She was an Italian Catholic lady. And she was totes amazeballs. All of my uncles, my cousins, and relatives on her side of the family are also Italian Catholic. Some of you might be familiar with them from home movies like this one. And I think a lot of you are even friends with my Aunt Lynda, on Facebook. Which, by the way, is hilarious to me.

Next, we had my grandfather, my mother’s father, Poppa Sye. He was born and raised Jewish. And when the two of them got married, back in the day, their interfaith wedding was a huge taboo.

Therefore, my mother, Pam, was raised with both religions and ideals. She was allowed to choose which religion she wanted to be when she grew up. And somewhere along the way, my mother eventually decided to embrace Judaism.

My brother, Adam, also commonly referred to as Abercrombie, was raised Jewish. He attended Hebrew school complete with having a Bar Mitzvah. And he’s raising his son, Mason, also known as MDW, Jewish.

I did not attend Hebrew school, or anything of the like. Mostly because, I was too busy touring with the Grateful Dead and hitchhiking across the country.

And maybe that’s why my own son, JCH, decided to become an atheist.

Later on in life, my mother married her high school sweetheart (my now stepfather – herein referred to as My Daddy).  He is what I like to call a ‘Pseudo-Jew’. And the best damn daddy that ever lived.

My dad, Ron, was born to our beloved, Gramma Ev and Poppa Ernie, and he was raised Italian Catholic. His whole side of family, including, Uncle Rick, whom y’all are familiar with, are all Italian Catholic.

However, my dad converted to Judaism in his previous marriage, and raised his son, my stepbrother, Lee, with the Jewish faith.

Confused yet?

Let me break it down a little more simply.

My mother, my father, both of my brothers, and both of their significant others, and all of their children, are Jewish, while the rest of my family is Catholic. And my son doesn’t believe in any religion whatsoever. And, well, neither do I, quite frankly. However, I do believe in G-d, or  a higher power, or whatever you want to call it. But more on that, another time.

Got it now?

Yes?

Congratulations!

And that’s why we get to party together, all year round!

Share This!