Dispatches from Home – Christmas and my Jewish Ancestry.

Greetings! It’s been an interesting few days. Christmas Eve, there was a storm which brought with it wind and rain. Christmas morning I discovered that the storm has separated my pergola from the back of our house. Yikes! What a mess! Happy New Year, Mr. Kalberg! LOL!

The Kalbergs have also had another discovery that sorta confirmed what I’ve always thought: We had to be of Jewish origin. My cousin, Peggy Gunter Stone’s son, Kendall Stringfellow, is researching our family background. He’s discovered that my great-grandfather, Andrew Kallberg, was Jewish. When he crossed the pond, as it were, Andrew Americanized our last name by dropping one L.

Interestingly, no one in the family has ever said anything about this, which leads me to believe that maybe the family wanted to separate themselves from our Jewish heritage. But not me! This might help explain my interest in all things related to the Nazis and the Holocaust. I’ve always been fascinated by the Jewish culture and the way the Jews, down through history, have survived and kept their traditions alive.

And lest we forget, Jesus was a Jew, and a good Jew at that! So, this Christmas brings with it a new, special meaning, thanks to my Jewish great-grandfather, Andrew.

Later Christmas Gaters!

(Originally posted December 26, 2015)