judaism gains a foothold

According to the voice message my mother left me last night, Judaism “seems to be gaining a foothold.” She’d seen video coverage of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski lighting a menorah and dancing.

According to this article, this might have been a first for a governor in recent memory.

"The Festival of Lights is about more than miracles and remembrance," said Kulongoski, who is Catholic. "It is also about lighting up the world with happiness where there is despair, courage where there is fear and righteousness where there is wrongdoing."

So Mom called to tell me about it.

“I’m beginning to think Judaism might just be a viable option,” she said before hanging up.

Yes, she was being facetious, but I wasn’t sure at first. I know she’s still making peace with the idea of her daughter as a Jew. Maybe seeing the governor openly embrace a Jewish holiday means Judaism is gaining a less tentative foothold with Mom.

In the meantime, I’ve been lighting the candles on my own menorah — the zen menorah, no less — and even fried up some latkes Tuesday evening. Lakshmi likes latkes. (Try saying that ten times, fast.)