By Muriel J. Smith
SHREWSBURY – Lisa and Jim Halpern love this time of year. They love all the celebrations that generally begin in November, either when older daughter Emily celebrates her birthday Nov. 22, Thanksgiving, or Hanukkah, whichever comes first. And the celebrations just keep rolling on until well into the New Year.
All four family members participate in all the family events for both Hanukkah, which officially started Tuesday night and continues through Dec. 23, and Christmas. There are three menorahs, the candelabra of eight candles to be lit, each by the ninth candle which stands higher than the rest. But there is also a Christmas tree, holiday decorations, and a ceramic Nativity scene set up in a prominent spot in the family room of the Halpern home, a light shining behind it to give it more emphasis.
For each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, it’s usually Sophie who lights the candles while her father leads the family in the ritualistic prayers. Now that the girls are older, the smaller gifts for each of the eight nights have been replaced with one gift for each family member, usually the first or second night. The family also enjoys traditional Jewish foods for the Festival of Lights. Lisa not only brags about her husband’s famous latkes…potato pancakes, but notes that “all our non-Jewish friends want to be sure they have some, too.” Her pride in Jim’s culinary expertise is not without good reason….a few years ago, when Monmouth Reformed Temple had a contest for latke making, Jim walked off with the top prize. The gold wrapped chocolate coins – gelt – are also part of the Hanukkah festivities in the Halpern home.
At Christmas, the family worships together at Christ Church, and this year will be as exciting as previous. Once again, Sophie will be serving on the altar; both Jim and Lisa are in the choir, he as a tenor, she as both a soprano and alto. The family will host a family Christmas Eve party, then head off to church in time for the 10:30 p.m. lessons and carols, followed by the 11 p.m. festive Eucharist. “This is so exciting,” Lisa exclaims, “not only because it is the celebration of the birth of Christ, but also because the church is decorated in greens and bows so beautifully, it’s a candlelight ceremony, and it is the most beautiful high service; it’s just exquisite.” The only drawback to this year’s midnight celebration is the fact that Emily is employed in the retail field in Boston, and won’t be able to be home until the day after Christmas. “That just stretches all our celebrations out an extra day,” her mom said.
Christmas Day is “our day,” Lisa stresses, “when we might just be relaxing, enjoying each other’s company and sitting around in our pajamas all day.”
Both Lisa and Jim brought a different religion into their marriage when they were wed 32 years ago. At that time, Lisa was Catholic and their wedding took place in a Catholic church. Jim was Jewish. Emily, their older daughter, has been raised a Christian but is currently undecided on which religious path she’ll follow in the future; teenaged daughter Sophie is leaning towards Judaism.
Both religions are vitally important in the Halpern family. Lisa, in the years when her daughters were youngsters, found a great degree of comfort, spirituality and security in the Episcopalian Church and is an active member of historic Christ Church in Shrewsbury. Jim is a member of the Monmouth Reformed Temple and active in numerous activities there, including serving on the board. Their girls are involved in services and activities in both religious communities.
While both the Jewish and Christian celebrations are highlights in the Halpern family, Lisa concedes she prefers it when Hanukkah falls in late November or earlier December to give more attention to the menorah, the miracle of the oil, and the festival of lights. “When it’s this close to Christmas, it seems the lights of the menorah are kind of dimmed by all the glitter and bright lights of Christmas. Each holy day deserves to be honored, revered, and kept at a high level.”
Professing faith in two different religions has never presented a problem to the Halperns or their daughters. “We have always tried to teach our girls tolerance,” Lisa said, “and want them to know it’s OK to celebrate and honor the religious beliefs of their friends. We have taught them, and we ourselves believe, that we should all be open to each other’s beliefs. It’s wonderful when we can also participate in each other’s religions and celebrate all beliefs in a really wonderful way. I cherish this time of year because it does bring out so much faith and goodness.”
