Superman Is Jewish?

Twenty years ago, I was on one of my morning marathon training runs with some friends and I randomly asked Robert how he was going to raise his soon-to-be-born twin daughters. “Jewish of course!” I responded, “What does that mean? Do you even know what’s on the Seder plate?”  He gave a confident and incorrect answer. “No, salt water is on the table not on the plate.” I then asked Caroline, “What’s on the plate?” “No! Matzo is on the table, but not on the plate.”  Between the three of us, we couldn’t name the six foods on the plate.

Seriously.  34 years, 2 nights every year with the entire purpose to discuss what’s on the plate and I couldn’t tell you.  

I had an epiphany that I was going through the motions.  Showing up but not present.  I walked around saying I was Jewish without knowing what it meant to be Jewish.

I needed answers.  Thankfully they came from a Chabad Rabbi I met through a Mormon friend a few weeks later.

In my first lesson he taught me that I couldn’t know myself unless I knew my purpose.  If you’re fulfilling your purpose, then you’ll be happy.

Happy is a BIG word in Judaism or as I prefer, Yiddishkeit.  I prefer “Jewish life” to religion.  I don’t like saying G-d, I prefer HaShem, which I believe in like “May the Force be with you,” the powerful energy that we are all connected to.

So Passover isn’t just about pushing a fish ball around the plate until the soup is served or praying for a Haggadah-light service so you can eat before 10pm.  It’s about self-reflection and how to leave that which enslaves you for the promised land of peace of mind and happiness. If you do not know your purpose, you are in Egypt.

In my quest to understand what it means to be a Jew, I’ve come to learn about being “Chosen.”  It’s not that HaShem has chosen me, but rather that I choose.  I take action.  I make the effort to connect, not just with the power, but also with my neshuma (soul) and with my friends and family.  

When I act in joy, I am fulfilled with a deep happiness.  So, I choose to do mitzvahs with a pure heart and not under obligation.  When I kiss my mezuzah, which I don’t do all the time, I say a word as I touch it- kindness, love, family.  I create that moment where I’m fully present and not going through the motions.

On Passover, try doing something different.  Take a pause from the Haggadah to share something.  

For example, did you know Superman is Jewish? 

Sure, his creators are Jewish but that’s not why he’s Supermentsch.  His story is pure Yiddishkeit.

Kal-El (Hebrew for “All is G-d” or “All for G-d”) is sent away from his home in a basket to be raised by a strange tribe. 

His identity is kept secret until the time was right for him to emerge with his superpowers to protect the people.  

Moses and the story of Passover reminds us that we must act in our lives if we want to see a change.

Be inspired by his strength, and that of Superman, to take those difficult steps that will lead you from your own personal Egypt to a place of happiness.

I realize most of you reading this, are thinking,“Oy, had she just said Chag Sameach, Dayenu!”  Well, perhaps next year in Yerushalayim!

Happy Passover!