How To Raise Proud Jewish Children In A Secular World: A Messianic Journey Of Identity And Faith

How To Raise Proud Jewish Children In A Secular World: A Messianic Journey Of Identity And Faith

How To Raise Proud Jewish Children In A Secular World: A Messianic Journey Of Identity And Faith

As parents, we are all familiar with the deep desire to pass on the beauty of our heritage to our children. For Jewish Messianic parents, this task is even more profound: we want our children to grow up proud of their Jewish identity, rooted in the rich traditions of our ancestors, while also embracing Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah. But how do we raise children who are secure in their Jewish faith when the world around them is pulling them in so many other directions?

This is the story of the Levin family, who faced this challenge head-on. Through their journey, they learned how to instill in their children both pride in their Jewish identity and a steadfast commitment to following Yeshua in the midst of a secular world that often pushes faith to the margins. Here is their story and the steps they took to raise proud Jewish children.

1. A Home Built on Torah and Tradition

From the outside, the Levin household might seem like any other suburban family. But inside their home, something deeper was happening. Each morning began with the hum of prayers and the reading of Torah.

Leah Levin, a devoted mother, would sit with her children around the kitchen table, a steaming cup of tea in hand, the morning sunlight streaming through the window. They would begin by reciting the Shema: “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.” Her children, Yossi and Naomi, would join in, their voices small but confident.

“Why do we say the Shema every day, Ima?” Yossi asked one morning, his blue eyes curious.

Leah smiled. “Because it reminds us who we are, Yossi. We are Jewish, and we believe that HaShem is One. The Shema helps us remember that, no matter what the world around us says.”

In a world where faith is often seen as an afterthought, the Levins made Torah and tradition the cornerstone of their home. They believed that teaching their children the beauty of Jewish customs and values wasn’t just about knowledge—it was about shaping their identity.

Lesson for Parents: 

Build a home that is centered around Torah and tradition. Let your children grow up knowing that their Jewish identity is something to be cherished. In a secular world, the foundation of faith you create at home will be a stronghold for them.

2. Celebrating the Festivals with Joy

The Levins celebrated every Jewish festival with vibrant joy, from the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to the lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah. Each holiday was an opportunity to connect their children to the richness of their heritage.

During Sukkot, they would build a sukkah in their backyard. Naomi loved hanging the brightly colored decorations, while Yossi eagerly helped his father tie palm fronds to the roof. On the first night, they would gather inside the sukkah, the cool evening air surrounding them, as they recited blessings over the lulav and etrog.

One evening, as they sat beneath the stars, Yossi asked, “Abba, why do we sit in the sukkah?”

David, Leah’s husband, paused before answering. “The sukkah reminds us of our ancestors, Yossi. It reminds us that HaShem took care of us when we wandered in the desert and that He takes care of us now. The festivals are part of our story.”

Through each festival, the Levin children were reminded of who they were: children of the covenant, a part of HaShem’s chosen people. They grew up understanding that their Jewish identity was woven into a tapestry that stretched back thousands of years, and that Yeshua was the fulfillment of that story.

Lesson for Parents: 

Use the festivals as a time to reinforce your children’s Jewish identity. These celebrations are not just rituals—they are opportunities to remind your children that they are part of a larger story, one that spans generations and points to Yeshua.

3. The Power of Prayer in a Secular World

For the Levins, prayer wasn’t just something they did—it was part of who they were. Each morning and evening, they gathered as a family to pray. They prayed before meals, before bed, and whenever someone was facing a challenge.

Leah had taught Yossi and Naomi to say the traditional prayers, but she also encouraged them to speak from their hearts. One night, as Naomi knelt by her bed, she whispered a prayer for a friend who was struggling. “HaShem, please help Sarah feel better. She’s been so sad lately. Show her that You love her.”

Leah’s heart swelled with pride. In a world where prayer was often seen as outdated or unnecessary, her children were learning that prayer was their direct line to HaShem, that through Yeshua, they could approach the Father with confidence.

“Do you think HaShem hears me when I pray?” Naomi asked.

“Absolutely,” Leah replied. “HaShem always hears you, and He cares about every word you say.”

Lesson for Parents: 

Teach your children the power of prayer. In a secular world, where God is often sidelined, show them that they have a personal connection to HaShem. Let them see that prayer is not just a ritual—it’s a relationship.

4. Defining Identity through Acts of Kindness

One Shabbat afternoon, as the Levin family walked home from synagogue, they noticed an elderly neighbor struggling to carry her groceries. Without hesitation, Yossi ran over to help her.

“Why did you help her, Yossi?” Leah asked later.

“Because we’re supposed to love our neighbor, right?” Yossi replied.

“That’s right,” Leah said, smiling. “Helping others is part of what it means to be Jewish.”

In a world that often encourages self-centeredness, the Levins made it a point to teach their children the value of kindness. They believed that being Jewish wasn’t just about what they believed—it was about how they lived. By serving others, they taught Yossi and Naomi that their Jewish identity was defined not just by words, but by actions.

Lesson for Parents: 

Help your children see that being Jewish means living out the values of kindness, generosity, and love for others. In a secular world, their actions will speak louder than any words. Let them see that their identity is reflected in how they treat others.

5. Teaching Resilience in the Face of Challenges

As Yossi and Naomi grew older, they began to notice that not everyone shared their beliefs. Some of their classmates didn’t understand why they celebrated Shabbat or why they believed in Yeshua. One day, Yossi came home from school feeling discouraged.

“Some kids were making fun of me today because I believe in Yeshua,” he said quietly.

Leah knelt down beside him. “Yossi, I know that can be hard. But remember, you are part of something special. You are Jewish, and you follow Yeshua. That’s a beautiful thing. Sometimes, not everyone will understand, but HaShem sees your faith, and that’s what matters.”

Yossi nodded, though the hurt still lingered. Leah continued, “In the Torah, we learn about Joseph, right? His brothers didn’t understand him either. But HaShem was with him through every challenge. And He will be with you, too.”

Over time, Yossi learned to stand tall in his faith, even when others questioned it. He understood that being Jewish and believing in Yeshua might make him different, but it also made him part of HaShem’s unique plan.

Lesson for Parents: 

Prepare your children for the challenges they may face in a secular world. Help them understand that while others may not always understand their faith, they can find strength in knowing they are part of HaShem’s chosen people. Teach them to be resilient, knowing that HaShem is always with them.

6. Connecting to Israel: A Living Legacy

The Levin family believed that part of raising proud Jewish children was teaching them the significance of Israel—not just as a place, but as the land of HaShem’s promises. Every summer, they would visit Israel, walking the ancient streets of Jerusalem and visiting the places where Yeshua once taught.

As they stood at the Western Wall, Leah watched as her children placed their hands on the ancient stones, whispering prayers to HaShem. “This is where our ancestors prayed,” she told them. “This is our heritage.”

For Yossi and Naomi, these trips deepened their connection to their Jewish identity. They understood that Israel wasn’t just a faraway land—it was part of who they were. And they learned that their faith in Yeshua didn’t separate them from their Jewish roots—it fulfilled them.

Lesson for Parents:

Help your children develop a love for Israel. Whether through trips, books, or prayers, connect them to the land of their ancestors. In a secular world, this connection will help ground them in their identity as part of HaShem’s chosen people.

7. Teaching Courage through Faith in Yeshua

One of the biggest challenges the Levin family faced was teaching their children to hold onto their faith in Yeshua while also being proud of their Jewish heritage. In a world where they were often asked to choose between the two, the Levins showed their children that they didn’t have to.

“Yeshua is the Jewish Messiah,” David would often remind them. “He came to fulfill the Torah, not abolish it. You don’t have to choose between being Jewish and believing in Him—you can embrace both.”

Through regular study of the New Testament alongside the Torah, Yossi and Naomi learned that their faith in Yeshua wasn’t a contradiction to their Jewish identity—it was the fulfillment of it. They grew up understanding that Yeshua didn’t distance them from their Jewish roots—He drew them closer.

Lesson for Parents: 

Teach your children that they don’t have to choose between being Jewish and believing in Yeshua. Help them understand that Yeshua is the fulfillment of their Jewish faith, not a departure from it. Give them the courage to embrace both identities in a world that may not always understand.

Conclusion: Raising Proud Jewish Children in a Secular World

The journey of the Levin family is one of hope, perseverance, and faith. They raised their children to be proud of their Jewish identity, rooted in the traditions of their ancestors, while also embracing Yeshua as their Messiah. It wasn’t always easy, but through Torah, prayer, and love, they instilled in their children a deep sense of who they were.

For Jewish Messianic parents, raising children in a secular world can feel daunting. But like the Levins, we can teach our children to stand tall in their identity, knowing that they are part of HaShem’s chosen people and that Yeshua is the fulfillment of that calling.

In a world that often pulls children away from faith, the greatest gift we can give them is the strength to embrace both their Jewish identity and their faith in Yeshua with pride and conviction. And with HaShem’s help, that is exactly what we will do.