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Tradition Forms Character

© Jill Ann Smith

"Daddy said, all children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice, or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a persons character lies in their own hands." -Anne Frank (Holocaust Victom)

Tomorrow begins a Festival of Freedom called Passover. When I was growing up I remember all the work my mother did to prepare our home for Passover. Her dedication to the Jewish Religion made a great impact on me.

Last week, while out walking in my neighborhood, I stopped at the Chamber of Commerce, I had noticed on the door, a sign which I read. In Temple City they're having a gathering on April 19th at the Center for Christian Ministries Church at 6:30 PM., an $8.00 donation gives you a traditional Passover dinner, a Passover film narrated by Dr. Mike Friedman and the lighting of the candles. Dr. Mike Friedman is a semi retired Baptist Minister who resides in Alhambra, CA.

I went home and spoke with Marilyn Kelty who's in charge of the Passover dinner Festival of Freedom. After speaking with her about the event, I reserved two seats, hurrying to make the reservation, as the Festival is limited to 160 guests.

I ordered a book from Literary Guild, "Jewish Family and Life," by Yosef I. Abramowitz and Rabbi Susan Silverman. Although my mother followed the tradition of this Holiday, I feel it's important to rekindle the knowledge I have. The book is for Adults and Children.

I came across another Passover tradition when I read Deaf Digest this month. A Rabbi Fred Friedman, who is Deaf, has an open house tradition inviting Deaf Jews to his home for Seder on the evening of April 19th. He lives in Baltimore, MD. This has become a regular tradition at his house for 15 years now. Tradition does seem to form character.

I tried to receive spiritual guidance after both of my parents passed away. Since I felt such a loss, at one of the services, at a local Synogague, I purchased trees to be planted in Israel in their memories. When I was a youth I saw my mother buy trees for her parents when they passed away.

At the Holidays I was proud, as I joined my mother on Friday night services. Mother didn't read Hebrew so I helped her by holding her Bible and guiding her through the service. It's memories like these that have helped me gain an inner strength.

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