The question of identity comes up in many training sessions. People often ask me how to preserve the identity of their children.
First, choose an identity that you would like to keep. In many cases, when you arrive in a new place, many things that were clear to us become blurred: I don't work, so my professional identity disappears or changes. I take care more of the children, so my parental identity takes on an important place. I move from a country where I am part of a majority to a country where I am part of a minority - What do I choose to keep?
When things are clear to us, it is easier to pass them on to the next generation, one way is via the school we choose, a youth movement, what are the components we would like to bring home? What language to speak to the children?
When my children were born, I really wanted to have Kiddush on Shabbat evening. From the moment my eldest was able to say a word or two, he did the Kiddush with my help. And today, as adults, it is part of the Shabbat meal routine. What's funny is that the a couple from Chabad, with whom we were in contact, adopted this custom, of giving children a place in the Friday evening Kiddush.
Tell me what identity you chose to preserve and how do you do it?
Dr. Efrat Tzadik
Expert in expatriation, integration, identity and identification
Certified coach for personal development and empowerment
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