From Dilemma to Delight: Why this Rabbi let his daughter sit on Santa’s lap.
The memory is still vivid. Our daughter Talyah is six and we are Chanukah shopping in the Saratoga mall.I great members of the sisterhood of my synagogue who are at a gift wrapping booth to help raise funds for our religious school. Talyah recognizes their faces, and waves. She sees Santa and gives me a look from her warm blue eyes. I smile and she sees a moment with no one in line and yelps:
: Santaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
The sisterhood lady’s freeze. I smile and shrug.
Talyah informs Santa that while she is Jewish she would eagerly accept a Barbie and other items on her wish list.A present a night would be just perfect.
And so, just perhaps. i was always destined to be the interfaith Rabbi.
Santa’s presents all arrived in a timely manor, and for eight nights.
