jew up

In the grand tradition of "Step up" and "Man up," we now have "Jew up."

A rabbi friend e-mailed recently, suggesting that I consider having a chanukat habayit (dedication of the home) following my conversion. He said this would be a good means of "Jewing up" my home.

Jew up. I love it! I wrote back suggesting that someone should open a Judaica shop called Jew Up. "Come on in, and Jew up!" would be the welcoming greeting.

When lighting hanukkiah (menorah) candles or frying up latkes this Hanukka, I can just say I'm Jewing it up. If I decide to go shopping for mezuzot for my interior doors, it will be because I'm feeling the need to Jew up.

Haven't been going to the mikvah? Jew up, and head over to the ritual bath.

Thinking about going kosher or booking that trip to Israel? Just Jew it.

Reminds me of when Terri was talking about opening an online store to sell cloaks, altar cloths, ritual wear, and portable circle kits. I suggested that she call her shop, "Gear Up, Pagan!" But she disagreed.

I’ve just received an unexpected package on my doorstep. My sister and her family sent me three bags of Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) and a make-your-own-dreidel kit. Jew up!

"I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready,
Then dreidel I shall play!"

That’s actually a song I learned in childhood, even though I was raised in a secular Episcopalian home. When I was at Montessori School — starting when I was 2, and ending when I transferred at the age of 9 — we celebrated all religious holidays equally. It wasn’t until I started at St. Catherine’s that I discovered that I wasn’t Jewish. It was quite a shock.

I see the dreidel kit is for ages 4 and up. Do you think my sister is trying to tell me something?

I could play with Lakshmi, but we'd have to play for kibble instead of chocolate, and I'm pretty sure she'd try to eat the dreidel instead.