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Thoughts on Christmas from a Jewish Yogini

December 27, 2015 By Monica Stone 1 Comment

I can’t remember the last time I went to temple for actual services. I’ve attended for the occasional wedding or funeral, but my last service had to be at least 10 years ago.

Wait, I did go to temple on a date. Actually, I’m not even sure it was a date.

About 3 years ago, I met a nice jewish fella who had just moved here to Orlando. He was very involved in the Jewish community, and asked if I wanted go to services, and then have Shabbat dinner at a friends house.

He seemed like a nice guy, and I hadn’t been to temple in forever. So, I said why not. 

I get ready, and he picks me up. As we’re driving out, I ask some details about the night, and find out we’re going to an orthodox service that’s held out of someone’s house.

I thought to myself.. oh dear god. 

That was a little weird for me because I grew up very liberal. My parents gave me a Bat Mitzvah, but I stopped going to temple after that.

We still make sure to celebrate all of the Jewish holidays. We do all of the prayers and have a traditional Passover Seder, but it’s super relaxed.

Have-You-Ever-Attended-Passover-Seder

My parents even joined a Unitarian Church for awhile, and just rejoined a temple for the first time in over 10 years. I do kind of miss our Shabbat dinners growing up. 

So……

At this point, I was a little worried about following along in the service because my Hebrew isn’t amazing. In a more reform temple, you get a print out with translations, but at this service, you just get a prayer book with the Hebrew scripture to read. 

We arrive, and everyone’s super nice. I’m pretty friendly and fearless, so I knew I would get through the service okay, but just felt a little out of place.

I sit on my side, and he sits on his. Oh, did I forget to mention that the women and men are also separated in an orthodox temple? I was dreading this part, but just took a big deep breath and thought…. It’s only an hour. I can do this. 

Guess what happened…

I was the only lady! Yes, you heard that right. There were about 20 chairs on the left filled with men, and 20 chairs on the right with just me. I buried my head in the prayer book, and just turned the pages pretending I knew what was going on.

A few times I tried to see if I could follow along in Hebrew. No such luck. (But, I can still recite the Hebrew alphabet).

Occasionally, I would recognize a prayer and could participate. But, for the most part I was lost.

My date was super nice and attentive though. He sat with me regardless. I knew he felt weird about it too because he apologized, and explained that he had no idea I would be the only woman there.

The service ended, and with a sigh of relief, I was happy to get on with dinner. We went over to his friends house, and had a very nice Shabbat dinner with amazing food and good conversation.

They were so nice because they knew I was a vegetarian, and they had dishes to accommodate. All in all, It was a good night.

I’m glad it happened, but also glad when it was over!

Plus, I got a good story out it. 

The temple I attended this Christmas was totally different. It was a very light service with singing, and a rabbi with a great sense of humor. This was familiar and brought me back to my childhood.

Monica & Fam at temple

At the end of the service, the rabbi discussed his breakfast that morning at Dennys since that was the only place open on Christmas day.  He mentioned how the waitress said, “Merry Christmas” to him, and that he was happy to say it back. 

I used to get annoyed by this when I was younger. Growing up in Sarasota, I had one Jewish friend in school. Sure, I knew more Jewish people from temple, but in the normal day-to-day grind, I was in the minority. 

People were celebrating Christmas all over the place, and found it so strange that I didn’t celebrate it at all. They were actually sad for me.

I LOVE Chanukkah, and I would make sure to emphasize that. 

The culture, tradition, history, and of course food was always fascinating to me, and I would take that over Santa Claus any day.

Now that I think about it – it’s probably why I love Ashtanga yoga so much. It’s a style so deeply rooted in tradition and history. To understand it fully, you have to study the scripture and practice it over and over with total devotion.

It really is its own culture and lifestyle. 

There’s a memory that sticks out from my college years. One of my friends asked if I ever felt left out because everyone else was celebrating Christmas.

I got so annoyed and just said, not everyone is celebrating Christmas. He didn’t understand, and we had this back and forth battle. He just couldn’t accept that my holiday season was exciting enough that I didn’t long for Christmas.  

I look back on this now, and feel a little silly. I don’t really care about this stuff anymore.

A few years ago, my Jewish friend, Greg, and I decorated a Christmas tree for the first time. He told me how growing up his family always decorated one.

We went to the store and bought lights, ornaments, tinsel, and all kinds of fun stuff. I had the best time ever! Plus, I loved creating the story of two Jewish friends decorating a Christmas tree. 

I guess my point is that I embrace the Christmas tradition, and I’ve decided to celebrate it like everyone else.

Why can’t we celebrate everything? The best thing I did was detach the words, Merry Christmas, from religion.

Now I just think of it as a greeting that means, have a joyous holiday season and a happy new year. 

I know I’m a few days late on this post, but I really hope you had a wonderful holiday season, whatever you celebrate, and that you’re still celebrating and smiling.

I hope it feels like Christmas all year long for you…..

Because wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Om Shanti

 

 

Filed Under: Daily Life

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

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Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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