I love how proud you are about your German Jewish background. I think it's cool that you haven't forgotten where your family have come from to me it is really touching and it made me laugh that you have a rabbi subscribed to your patron!!
I tried to scroll to see those comments but don’t see them. Thankfully they’re being deleted or reported. I read Hannah’s stance on the Palestine situation in her blog and it was so very respectful. It is wild to me that people would be so nasty to her for being so respectful.
I've been enjoying your Vlognukah videos so much this year! The little moments of TTC discussions and thought processes are especially meaningful. And I really appreciate the PJ Library context you added in the description box (I wanted to mention that because I imagine that people who feel negatively about your decision will probably be more likely to say so, but I seriously appreciate the extra time and thought on your end to respectfully inform us of the situation)
I know it's always tricky to publicly talk about Israel as a Jewish person, and it must be emotionally complicated as well. Thank you for continuing to do so, even in small ways, it makes a huge difference to those of us personally effected by Zionism.
As a Dutch person, I loved the analogy. I've had some study friends from India who explained their secular Hindu festivities, which sounds very similar.
On the topic of age gaps with siblings, I’m almost exactly 6 years older than my brother, and we get on really well. There were some phases when we were kids where we wouldn’t get along so well (but nothing major), but also phases where we’d do lots of things together. I know that doesn’t change how you’ve imagined things or how difficult it is now, but some other people struggling with having their second child have said that stories of successful age gaps were helpful for them to hear. All the best ◡̈
I'm 4 years older than my brother and we socialise like friends. I go out with his friends and he comes out with mine. We've been on holiday together with our partners etc too. 4 years feels like nothing.
I have an even larger gap! I'm 7.5 years older than my younger brother and we get along great! I actually had more difficulty getting along with my older brother growing up, since we only had 18 months between us. Now that we're all adults, we all get along great and I wouldn't change our situation at all!
I have a 14 year age gap between my younger siblings (they’re twins) my mum was 21 when she had me and then 35 when she had them and I absolutely adore them. I love getting to take them with me to gigs, festivals, treat them. Don’t worry about age gaps 🎉
I feel like it is harder to explain being Jewish, but only cultural, because Jews are a minority. Like, I am German, and Germany has many Christian traditions (and maybe not "Christian" foods, but food that is associated with Christian holidays). I am German, and my family has a Christian background, but my parents did not raise me Christian. We still celebrate Christmas, have traditions around Easter and Christmas (food, Christmas Markets, Christmas cookies, Advent calendars, the list goes on. Even not working on Sundays is a "Christian tradition"). And I think no one was ever confused about that, because so many people have the same traditions, without being religious. We just don't necessarily recognize them as having their roots in religion, because it is seen as the norm to do these kinds of things.
You could ask some survey questions on friendship/community. E.g. how many close friends do you have, what do you consider a close friend, how satisfied do you feel with your social life, how many days of the week do you see someone that you don’t live/work with? Etc 😊
I love all of the video ideas! The ones that stick out to me the most are doing up the balcony (maybe the weather will be nice soon?), friends style me (lucy moon), husband styles me, blind dates with books, thrifting and how you use it. Looking forward to your vids! 🫶
On the Jewish cultural vs religious discussion - I've always explained that Jewishness is both a religion and an ethnicity. For me, I'm ethnically Jewish, but religiously I'm atheist. This is where your Dutch analogy makes a lot of sense to me, it's about ethnicity and culture and not about religion or connection to god.
Can i ask how being Jewish is a race? I never understood that. I personally hold the view that there is one race, and that is the human race. A view i base from a plain reading of Genesis.
@@Bradenc3 ethnicity and race are two different things. Being Jewish was viewed as a race in the past and some people still describe it that way, but that isn't what Hannah and the original commenter are discussing. Ethnicity is a group who share a common cultural background or descent
Always exciting to see Jewish content in Vlognukkah! I remember just before you were pregnant with Rowan there was a conversation following a newsletter you sent out about the book Jews Don't Count. I'd be really curious to hear any reflections on that piece a few years on, and now as a parent how you're thinking about talking about antisemitism with Rowan. Thanks for these great videos in a content-quiet time of year!
Atheist here, for me I the secular Jewish thing still makes sense because of all the Christian stuff I partake in even though I'm very much an atheist (especially around Christmas) e.g. having an angel on a Christmas tree, christmas carols, taking part in Lent, Easter eggs (although I am aware that a lot of Christian stuff is also repackaged pagan stuff!)
the "repackaged pagan stuff" is such nonsense i'm sorry-- it's a nice narrative but it just isn't true. Trent Horn has some good explanations if you're interested.
As a fellow Jew I wanted to make this point. Thank you for making it for me. It takes a certain level of critical thought to be able to see your own practice that way. At the same time, it's super frustrating when "regular people" (read: Christian atheists) dont see it. I think it's very telling that people don't realize they are also atheists participating in religiously inspired traditions when they celebrate Christmas. It shows the degree to which Christian traditions are accepted as the default and norm in western society. (I tried really hard to not be too intense about this and I think I failed miserably 😅)
Thanks for this point - as a Jewish person I notice a lot of my secular friends from Christian heritage doing cultural customs from this country linked to Christianity - like making pancakes on pancake day, buying Easter eggs, crossing their fingers for good luck, or singing the UK national anthem (God save the queen) or wearing something with a flag on (at George's cross) for the world cup, they wouldn't think of this as religious or even particularly cultural because it's the normalised majority culture here. But I've had some friends be confused about me doing things I see as similar when I am mostly secular.
I totally feel you on the sibling age gap concern! I wanted 2 years, maybe 3 max, but had trouble conceiving as well. I'll spare the details, but there are now 4 years and 2 months separating my children, and it's actually amazing. They get along so well, playing independently, the little one has learned so many things so much faster by imitating her brother, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that's not incredibly helpful to say to someone desperately wishing for that second baby, but it will happen in due time, and it will be the perfect timing for your kids and your family. After all, you never get a guarantee for your kids to get along, no matter how close together or far apart. They are headstrong little people! Wishing you the best of luck on your journey 🧡
I love the name Rowan, but I also find all those English tree/flower names so funny because in my native language German they are often "speaking" compounds, for example rowan literally translates to 'bird-berry' (Vogelbeere). And it just sounds so different because names usually don't have an immediately graspable meaning, but floral names like Rowan 'bird-berry', Holly 'jab-palmtree' (Stechpalme) or Daisy 'little goose-flower' (Gänseblümchen) very much do in German :D
I love any time you talk about being Jewish because I feel exactly the same way you do about it, and it’s nice to hear another person with a similar perspective. I have 11 month old twin boys and my husband is a former Christian turned atheist. I’m also only connected to my Judaism for the traditions and the family bit of it and am trying to work out how to raise my sons Jewish while only being Jew-ish. So anyway, I very much appreciate that bit of your content and happy Hanukkah!
I am loving re-watching all of your slow fashion videos. I love how colorful your style is and seeing how you put things together. Any thrifting you do would be interesting as well.
42:06 I know it’s really tough when things don’t work out how you’d always planned/imagined; but if it makes you feel any better, my partner is 10 years older than his sister and they are closer than any other siblings I know. Despite the gap they are absolutely best friends. Really hope everything works out 💖💖
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard did a video where her little son styled her! He is very stylish himself so I don't know if Rowan would be up for it but that's an option. And a husband styling video is always a good idea!
I remember reading or listening in one of your videos about the age gap thing. As someone with a 4-year age gap between me (big sister) and my little brother, I can tell you that that kind of age gap felt 100% normal to me growing up, to the point where I didn't know people considered it a larger than average gap. Being 4 years old and having a baby brother to coddle was like a dream come true for me. My parents said I was obsessed with him the moment he came out and I would put him in dolls baskets etc etc. As we grew up, I don't recall the 4 years ever being a deterrent to us doing things together. With our family being from Poland, we would get sent there for summer holidays to be with my grandparents. And my brother was my best friend and favourite person throughout those years and we did EVERYTHING together. Even now as a 31 year old, I look at my 27 year old brother as my baby brother and I've never felt our age difference once. I obviously can't speak to my parents experience, but I can see from photo or video evidence, that it must have been helpful for them to have a reception-age child when they had their second kid. As my brother got older and was mobile, I was 6 or 7, at which point I was able to actually be helpful if needed, like help my brother into a coat or help him with his shoes. My mum mostly parented us alone, so while I'm not saying it's an eldest child's role to help out, it's at least useful to have one child who is capable of being more independent when you have a younger one to deal with. I'm sure there are people out there who had different experiences with the same age gap as me and my brother have, but for us it really is wonderful and magical relationship for most of our lives and any issues we had stemmed more from personality issues than any kind of age difference.
For any readers - being Jewish is an ethnoreligion. So like being english, or french, or iraqi is an ethnicity, being jewish is an ethnicity too. There are many different Jewish ethnic groups. Hannah mentions she is German Jewish, my husband is Ashkenazi Jewish with routes from Lithuania and Poland. But I have friends who are ethnically Ethiopian Jewish and also Yemeni Jewish to name a few! Additionally, because its a religion you can also have people like myself who are not ethnically Jewish, but have converted and become religiously Jewish. Because of the concept of Jewishness being an ethnoreligion, people may view conversion as naturalisation and joining a nation! Those are just my thoughts as a convert to Judaism who is also a person of colour!
If you did a census, I would LOVE to know about everyone's jobs and financial situations. I myself an educated but unemployed and struggling to get a job, and I feel like a lot of people my age are struggling with the same thing
Hi Hannah - love your content, I watch a lot but never comment 🙈 just to send love re ttc. It took longer than planned for both my first and second time round due to my cycles. We started trying when my first born was 8 months and finally we welcomed his brother just after his 4th birthday. I remember feeling that pressure you described, hoping for a certain age gap and seeing others around me get pregnant easily. It’s tough and can be lonely. The 4 year age gap wasn’t planned but has been absolutely perfect for us. I hope this year is good to you! Cheers for keeping me company during my house work ❤
I remember your first Volgnukah and being SO HAPPY for the little slice of Jewish representation. Though I'm a modern orthodox religious Jew and my Judaism looks different than yours, it still just brings me so much joy to see you proudly sharing your Jewish connections and experiences in your way, and providing a small bit of representation in an overwhelmingly Christian world. Keep it up :)
As an Irish person whose parents are atheists but who was pretty much raised by a very Roman Catholic grandmother I understand the idea of being connected culturally but not in a religious way to a religion. Especially because of the British colonization of Ireland and how Irish people were discriminated against for being catholic I see it as really important to not abandon that part of myself. Like even though I don't remotely believe in her I go to a shrine of the virgin mary whenever I need to clear my head, I think the more agonistic our society becomes the more we need to learn how to incorporate into our lives aspects of religion we don't want to forget! I absolutely adore your videos! Would love more book content if you'd ever be up to making it!
I saw another comment on liking the questionaire thingy on insta and me too! General demographics, jobs, location and lifestyly things would be fun! Really hope that the metformin keeps making your cycles shorter!! Insane how much more oppurtunities that could give you per year! Fingers crossed!! Love all the colab and fashion ideas! Really like the content I have seen with other youtubers with styling and wardrobe challenges.
I'm glad you're raising Rowan with Jewish traditions! It is so often taken for granted to raise kids with Christian traditions, but any other traditions are seen as too religious or too conservative. While there's plenty things that can change about pretty much all older cultural things, traditions are so important and mostly Fun!
I'd like to see the friends styling you/you styling friends and you wearing outfits that are not your usual style. I think that would be quite fun! You could be Goth Hannah, Vintage Hannah, Punk Hannah... idk, maybe I'm just an overgrown kid but throwing on a costume still sounds fun to me. And the book video ideas! Just any of them. I'd love to see more book content from you if you're interested in making it.
jewish children's book recomendations: the chanukkah guest, hershel and the hanukkah goblins, and in the month of kislev. "stealing the smell of my latkes" has become ubiquitous in my household. not sure why we never read any non-hanukkah books? but these three stood out as favorites.
One of my best friend is Muslim and ever since I was 10 I was invited to their religious traditions while I grew up atheist but culturally Christian I guess because GERMANY haha. I truly believe that shaped my entire character 😂 I’m so not religious but I appreciate religious traditions - those focused on community at least. And though I might not believe in the power of prayer I appreciate my friend talking to Allah about me because I know that’s her highest form of love. I truly believe more people growing up with foreign religions would make the world more peaceful.
Wicked is amazing film I cannot wait for part 2! What a great cast to couldn’t fault it whatsoever 🙌 Happy New Year to you and family Hannah! 🎉 bring on 2025
For us, my husband is also culturally Jewish and for our wedding and raising our son we've connected with Humanistic Judaism! We have a local congregation and they have alternate versions of blessings that take God out.
the caledonian sleeper one made me smile! 😂 i'm from up north in scotland and we used to take the sleeper train to london aaaall the time as a family! it was definitely kid-friendly back in the 90s haha
2025 bingo would be fun! Me and my friends made them last night. We each came up with 24 things we want to do in 2025 (ie new walk somewhere in our country, going to a new restaurant, decorating my work from home office, submitting the next article for my PhD, Efteling is actually on our bingo cards haha). As a more fun, less "punishing" alternative to new year's resolution. We had such a good time coming up with the 24 things and decorating our bingo cards😊
The second I heard about the 40 by 40 list I went and started a 30 by 30 list! I'm 25, going on 26 in April and I definitely feel like I've missed out on a lot and don't get to do a lot of 20 something year old things, the 30 by 30 list is a great way to figure out what I want to do!
Hi Hannah!! I’d love to keep up with your current TTC journey as long as you’re willing to share. My husband and I are in the same boat and I love hearing as many perspectives/ experiences as possible 🩷 best of luck with baby #2!
I don’t understand how people don’t get the difference between religion and culture tbh. We’re living in the most secular age known to man and fewer and fewer people actively participate in religious practices, especially in the christian world, but our whole culture is still steeped in traditions that have religious origins- just think of the xmas holidays! Religion and culture overlap a lot, but something becomes religious if you actually believe in god and actively practice your traditions with the intent of honouring the god of your choice. I’m sure it slightly differs from religion to religion and culture to culture but it doesn’t seem like such a hard concept to grasp.
oh my gosh quality couple bonding time doing lego sets is the best, isn't it!! the rivendell set is the dream. weve been working on the office set this year11
I started celebrating Hanukkah 2 years ago. We lit the menorah, had latkes and challah. We do spiritual exploration within our family and it’s been so eye opening. 🤍
I would love a 'Why Haven't I Burned Out Yet' video! I am currently experiencing minor burnout unfortunately and struggling with getting back to work... Also, I have been a long-term fan of yours and always so impressed with how you manage to do so much stuff and managing your self-employed business, and then ALSO being a mother.. Please please please tell me how hahaha
Well being culturally Jewish sounds pretty similar to being culturally Christian so tbh I don’t get the confusion. I celebrate every holiday associated with Christianity, I’ve even been to things like choir services and occasion events at church. I don’t believe in God at all. I think a large amount of people in the UK are the same. Maybe the connection in Judaism is a bit stronger because of the ethnicity connection which isn’t really there in Christianity, but it’s like the same concept?
That LEGO set looks MAJESTIC ✨ Have fun building it (unless you've already finished, since it's pre-filmed 😅). I loved Efteling, it has much more character than Disney and isn't so crowded.
You could do more coaching videos too! Like for instance what the hell is it? And if I had x problem, what would a coach do to walk me through it? (You could even do as opposed to a therapist or a friend or a spouse) It’s a fascinating world and I know nothing about it.
I can't remember if it's something you've already done bc I know you've worked together before, but re collabs/working with other people & fashion videos for next year: I'd personally love if you and Jessica Kellgren-Fozard worked together again for a vintage clothing video of some kind?? As a fan of both of you, I love when you're in the same video 😂🥰
Totally up to you but one thing I do to preserve my religious heritage (not Jewish) though I’m not always comfortable with all things related to my religion (Eastern Orthodox Christian) is to intentionally give to charity that I find important and tie into a holy day. Ex for days related to the Theotokus (Virgin Mary) we pick out a board game to donate to the children’s hospital because the children’s hospital cares for pregnant women and sick children which is associated with the Theotokus culturally but the hospital doesn’t get overally involved in political movements. I got this tradition from my mom who always made a point to take us shopping to get gifts for the local group homes for children in foster care who are waiting to be placed with a family.
How often do you and Dan talk about gender issues, e.g. regarding parenting and expectations for mothers vs dads, the mental load or similar topic? Do you feel like it comes up a lot? Did you have to argue about some of these things?
Love lots of your video ideas! Would also like a games recommendations video for games parents can play. Maybe ones that are easy to start and stop or can fit into an evening after you've put the kids to bed 😅 Love all your fashion videos
I like the 2025 Bingo Card idea. Still goals or ambitions for the year but not as stressful if you don’t do them all. Just need to get some done to make a bingo
The bookshop in Battersea Power Station does those wrapped up books. Also it's independent despite looking like a waterstones. They seemed quite offended when I tried to scan my app... oops!
My kids are 3.5 years apart and best friends! (They are 12 and 8.5 now). I grew up in a family where I had a 12 year age gap from my sister and 13 months with my brother lol… and there’s pros/cons to all the gaps. Personally, I loved that my first was potty trained and mostly out of the tantrum phase when my second came.
Sufganiyot (the doughnuts) are a larger traditional food, not just your family. That said, food in the holidays can also be culturally based. Ashkenazi food being more Eastern European and Sephardic being more Mediterranean.
Hannah, you mentioned National Theatre and NT Live, I’m a brand ambassador for the NTLive program!! I know these are filmed like a month in advance but if you still haven’t got an in with them yet let me know and I can try and introduce you with my contact. Their next PR invite is coming up in a couple of weeks and it’s an exciting one 👀👀
My daughter turns 3 in the Spring and we’ve been trying for our second for nearly a year and a half (took 12 months last time). I very much relate to you and your ttc journey. Hopefully 2025 will be both of our years for getting pregnant.
I feel connected to my Russian heritage when I have Eastern Orthodox paraphernalia. My mom visited Kazakhstan recently and she got me a bunch of Eastern Orthodox stuff. My mom would have a bunch of that stuff around the house so to me it’s just something connected to my family and something that is comforting. I don’t have any connection to god and I’m pretty much atheist but I enjoy having Eastern Orthodox stuff to keep close to my Russian heritage and my Russian mother as an American.
I somewhat practice but I got lucky with an unusually well studied parish. (Ironically this usually results in parish that is very heavily practicing and religiously traditional but more socially liberal/aware because well…they actually read the book and chose to follow it.) Anyway 2 suggestions: ice cream/treats on feast days. Also Father Arseny: A Cloud of Witnesses is a fabulous read. It discusses his work in the gulags but isn’t preachy. It really helped me better appreciate and connect with family and friends who lived under communism.
Many of my friends growing up were Jewish, and most of them ranged from agnostic to atheist! In the US I think it's more common to think about how ethnicity, religion, and nationality all come together to inform a person's culture and traditions. My mom's family comes from Italy originally, so things like the foods I grew up eating and the holidays I celebrate are passed down, even though we don't live there anymore and no one is Catholic except my grandmother. Many of my Jewish friends celebrate rosh hashanah, yom kippur, hanukkah, and passover with their families, but don't go to temple or regularly keep kosher. It's all a personal choice, which traditions are important to you to keep and pass on!
I'm happy to hear your TTC journey! I'm a fellow lean PCOS girl with a baby/toddler who does not sleep. I'm glad metformin is working for you. Have you looked into an inositol supplement? It was the main thing that worked for me. I'm also going to start taking vitex once I wean
I think your Taylor Swift analogy about analyzing her songs like poems is spot on (especially as a former English major). I think the ability to interpret her lyrics (and the encouragement to look for symbols, Easter eggs, real-life references, etc.) is part of what makes her music so popular/engaging.
What makes you so sure you want a second child? Is it mostly a feeling or is there also practical reasons why you think it makes sense and will improve your life?
I love how proud you are about your German Jewish background. I think it's cool that you haven't forgotten where your family have come from to me it is really touching and it made me laugh that you have a rabbi subscribed to your patron!!
I know some in the comments are uncomfortable with your anti Zionist stance Hannah, but I for one am grateful.
I love Hannah even more for being so openly anti-Zionist. It's wonderful to see the trash take itself out
I tried to scroll to see those comments but don’t see them. Thankfully they’re being deleted or reported. I read Hannah’s stance on the Palestine situation in her blog and it was so very respectful. It is wild to me that people would be so nasty to her for being so respectful.
I've been enjoying your Vlognukah videos so much this year! The little moments of TTC discussions and thought processes are especially meaningful. And I really appreciate the PJ Library context you added in the description box (I wanted to mention that because I imagine that people who feel negatively about your decision will probably be more likely to say so, but I seriously appreciate the extra time and thought on your end to respectfully inform us of the situation)
I know it's always tricky to publicly talk about Israel as a Jewish person, and it must be emotionally complicated as well. Thank you for continuing to do so, even in small ways, it makes a huge difference to those of us personally effected by Zionism.
As a Dutch person, I loved the analogy. I've had some study friends from India who explained their secular Hindu festivities, which sounds very similar.
I am of Dutch decent, and I can definitely relate to the Dutch traditions and foods being passed down. They can pop up in the strangest ways 😂
I really appreciate you talking about TTC journey because it’s not talked about a lot and makes me feel less lonely
On the topic of age gaps with siblings, I’m almost exactly 6 years older than my brother, and we get on really well. There were some phases when we were kids where we wouldn’t get along so well (but nothing major), but also phases where we’d do lots of things together. I know that doesn’t change how you’ve imagined things or how difficult it is now, but some other people struggling with having their second child have said that stories of successful age gaps were helpful for them to hear.
All the best ◡̈
I'm 4 years older than my brother and we socialise like friends. I go out with his friends and he comes out with mine. We've been on holiday together with our partners etc too. 4 years feels like nothing.
4,5 years between me and my sibling - we have always enjoyed having each other :)
I have an even larger gap! I'm 7.5 years older than my younger brother and we get along great! I actually had more difficulty getting along with my older brother growing up, since we only had 18 months between us. Now that we're all adults, we all get along great and I wouldn't change our situation at all!
I have a 14 year age gap between my younger siblings (they’re twins) my mum was 21 when she had me and then 35 when she had them and I absolutely adore them. I love getting to take them with me to gigs, festivals, treat them. Don’t worry about age gaps 🎉
LOVE the ideas for next year!! Especially EVERY SINGLE fashion video, the balcony video, and what I eat in a week.
I feel like it is harder to explain being Jewish, but only cultural, because Jews are a minority. Like, I am German, and Germany has many Christian traditions (and maybe not "Christian" foods, but food that is associated with Christian holidays). I am German, and my family has a Christian background, but my parents did not raise me Christian. We still celebrate Christmas, have traditions around Easter and Christmas (food, Christmas Markets, Christmas cookies, Advent calendars, the list goes on. Even not working on Sundays is a "Christian tradition"). And I think no one was ever confused about that, because so many people have the same traditions, without being religious. We just don't necessarily recognize them as having their roots in religion, because it is seen as the norm to do these kinds of things.
Yes 100%%%^ so much cultural stuff is based in religion but we don’t name it when it’s Christianity
You could ask some survey questions on friendship/community. E.g. how many close friends do you have, what do you consider a close friend, how satisfied do you feel with your social life, how many days of the week do you see someone that you don’t live/work with? Etc 😊
I'd love a section on where people are finding friends as adults / where their community socializing is happening
Also where do peoples friends live! Like, how many close friends do you have in your immediate city/neighborhood versus more long distance.
Since its usually anon id love even more personal things like avg savings, screen time etc
If you want blind date with a book, you can also check if your library does it as well! I’m a librarian and we do it the whole month of February
Oh nice! Will ask :)
Manchester Waterstones does this but it does seem to be mainly YA.
I love all of the video ideas! The ones that stick out to me the most are doing up the balcony (maybe the weather will be nice soon?), friends style me (lucy moon), husband styles me, blind dates with books, thrifting and how you use it. Looking forward to your vids! 🫶
On the Jewish cultural vs religious discussion - I've always explained that Jewishness is both a religion and an ethnicity. For me, I'm ethnically Jewish, but religiously I'm atheist. This is where your Dutch analogy makes a lot of sense to me, it's about ethnicity and culture and not about religion or connection to god.
Yea thank you!! And it’s why it bothers me in all census and identity forms Jewish is always in the religion section and not ethnicity!!
Can i ask how being Jewish is a race? I never understood that. I personally hold the view that there is one race, and that is the human race. A view i base from a plain reading of Genesis.
That’s why it’s an ethnoreligion!
@@Bradenc3 ethnicity and race are two different things. Being Jewish was viewed as a race in the past and some people still describe it that way, but that isn't what Hannah and the original commenter are discussing. Ethnicity is a group who share a common cultural background or descent
@@NotBulletProof245 ahh ok, that's makes sense. Thank you
Always exciting to see Jewish content in Vlognukkah! I remember just before you were pregnant with Rowan there was a conversation following a newsletter you sent out about the book Jews Don't Count. I'd be really curious to hear any reflections on that piece a few years on, and now as a parent how you're thinking about talking about antisemitism with Rowan. Thanks for these great videos in a content-quiet time of year!
Atheist here, for me I the secular Jewish thing still makes sense because of all the Christian stuff I partake in even though I'm very much an atheist (especially around Christmas) e.g. having an angel on a Christmas tree, christmas carols, taking part in Lent, Easter eggs (although I am aware that a lot of Christian stuff is also repackaged pagan stuff!)
Yes exactly!
Christmas feels like the perfect example of this on my opinion. I love a good Carol, have a nativity set etc yet am 100% atheist.
the "repackaged pagan stuff" is such nonsense i'm sorry-- it's a nice narrative but it just isn't true. Trent Horn has some good explanations if you're interested.
As a fellow Jew I wanted to make this point. Thank you for making it for me. It takes a certain level of critical thought to be able to see your own practice that way.
At the same time, it's super frustrating when "regular people" (read: Christian atheists) dont see it. I think it's very telling that people don't realize they are also atheists participating in religiously inspired traditions when they celebrate Christmas. It shows the degree to which Christian traditions are accepted as the default and norm in western society.
(I tried really hard to not be too intense about this and I think I failed miserably 😅)
Thanks for this point - as a Jewish person I notice a lot of my secular friends from Christian heritage doing cultural customs from this country linked to Christianity - like making pancakes on pancake day, buying Easter eggs, crossing their fingers for good luck, or singing the UK national anthem (God save the queen) or wearing something with a flag on (at George's cross) for the world cup, they wouldn't think of this as religious or even particularly cultural because it's the normalised majority culture here. But I've had some friends be confused about me doing things I see as similar when I am mostly secular.
I totally feel you on the sibling age gap concern! I wanted 2 years, maybe 3 max, but had trouble conceiving as well. I'll spare the details, but there are now 4 years and 2 months separating my children, and it's actually amazing. They get along so well, playing independently, the little one has learned so many things so much faster by imitating her brother, I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that's not incredibly helpful to say to someone desperately wishing for that second baby, but it will happen in due time, and it will be the perfect timing for your kids and your family. After all, you never get a guarantee for your kids to get along, no matter how close together or far apart. They are headstrong little people! Wishing you the best of luck on your journey 🧡
I have so much respect for your comments on Israel, thank you for speaking out ❤
I love the name Rowan, but I also find all those English tree/flower names so funny because in my native language German they are often "speaking" compounds, for example rowan literally translates to 'bird-berry' (Vogelbeere). And it just sounds so different because names usually don't have an immediately graspable meaning, but floral names like Rowan 'bird-berry', Holly 'jab-palmtree' (Stechpalme) or Daisy 'little goose-flower' (Gänseblümchen) very much do in German :D
I love any time you talk about being Jewish because I feel exactly the same way you do about it, and it’s nice to hear another person with a similar perspective. I have 11 month old twin boys and my husband is a former Christian turned atheist. I’m also only connected to my Judaism for the traditions and the family bit of it and am trying to work out how to raise my sons Jewish while only being Jew-ish. So anyway, I very much appreciate that bit of your content and happy Hanukkah!
Happy Chanukah!!
I am loving re-watching all of your slow fashion videos. I love how colorful your style is and seeing how you put things together. Any thrifting you do would be interesting as well.
42:06 I know it’s really tough when things don’t work out how you’d always planned/imagined; but if it makes you feel any better, my partner is 10 years older than his sister and they are closer than any other siblings I know. Despite the gap they are absolutely best friends.
Really hope everything works out 💖💖
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard did a video where her little son styled her! He is very stylish himself so I don't know if Rowan would be up for it but that's an option. And a husband styling video is always a good idea!
I remember reading or listening in one of your videos about the age gap thing. As someone with a 4-year age gap between me (big sister) and my little brother, I can tell you that that kind of age gap felt 100% normal to me growing up, to the point where I didn't know people considered it a larger than average gap. Being 4 years old and having a baby brother to coddle was like a dream come true for me. My parents said I was obsessed with him the moment he came out and I would put him in dolls baskets etc etc. As we grew up, I don't recall the 4 years ever being a deterrent to us doing things together. With our family being from Poland, we would get sent there for summer holidays to be with my grandparents. And my brother was my best friend and favourite person throughout those years and we did EVERYTHING together. Even now as a 31 year old, I look at my 27 year old brother as my baby brother and I've never felt our age difference once. I obviously can't speak to my parents experience, but I can see from photo or video evidence, that it must have been helpful for them to have a reception-age child when they had their second kid. As my brother got older and was mobile, I was 6 or 7, at which point I was able to actually be helpful if needed, like help my brother into a coat or help him with his shoes. My mum mostly parented us alone, so while I'm not saying it's an eldest child's role to help out, it's at least useful to have one child who is capable of being more independent when you have a younger one to deal with. I'm sure there are people out there who had different experiences with the same age gap as me and my brother have, but for us it really is wonderful and magical relationship for most of our lives and any issues we had stemmed more from personality issues than any kind of age difference.
Very excited for the reading, home reno and budgeting content for next year!!
For any readers - being Jewish is an ethnoreligion. So like being english, or french, or iraqi is an ethnicity, being jewish is an ethnicity too. There are many different Jewish ethnic groups.
Hannah mentions she is German Jewish, my husband is Ashkenazi Jewish with routes from Lithuania and Poland. But I have friends who are ethnically Ethiopian Jewish and also Yemeni Jewish to name a few!
Additionally, because its a religion you can also have people like myself who are not ethnically Jewish, but have converted and become religiously Jewish.
Because of the concept of Jewishness being an ethnoreligion, people may view conversion as naturalisation and joining a nation!
Those are just my thoughts as a convert to Judaism who is also a person of colour!
Does your husband condemn lsraeI's evil or are you part of that eviI?
My family are Ashkenazi Jews too! From Germany and Lithuania that I am aware of!
If you did a census, I would LOVE to know about everyone's jobs and financial situations. I myself an educated but unemployed and struggling to get a job, and I feel like a lot of people my age are struggling with the same thing
don’t know if anyone’s already commented on this but the donuts aren’t just a your family thing - sufganiyah are a tradition Hanukkah food!
Being styled by Leana in particular sounds like a very fun video.
Hi Hannah - love your content, I watch a lot but never comment 🙈 just to send love re ttc. It took longer than planned for both my first and second time round due to my cycles. We started trying when my first born was 8 months and finally we welcomed his brother just after his 4th birthday. I remember feeling that pressure you described, hoping for a certain age gap and seeing others around me get pregnant easily. It’s tough and can be lonely. The 4 year age gap wasn’t planned but has been absolutely perfect for us. I hope this year is good to you! Cheers for keeping me company during my house work ❤
I remember your first Volgnukah and being SO HAPPY for the little slice of Jewish representation. Though I'm a modern orthodox religious Jew and my Judaism looks different than yours, it still just brings me so much joy to see you proudly sharing your Jewish connections and experiences in your way, and providing a small bit of representation in an overwhelmingly Christian world. Keep it up :)
As an Irish person whose parents are atheists but who was pretty much raised by a very Roman Catholic grandmother I understand the idea of being connected culturally but not in a religious way to a religion.
Especially because of the British colonization of Ireland and how Irish people were discriminated against for being catholic I see it as really important to not abandon that part of myself.
Like even though I don't remotely believe in her I go to a shrine of the virgin mary whenever I need to clear my head, I think the more agonistic our society becomes the more we need to learn how to incorporate into our lives aspects of religion we don't want to forget!
I absolutely adore your videos! Would love more book content if you'd ever be up to making it!
I saw another comment on liking the questionaire thingy on insta and me too! General demographics, jobs, location and lifestyly things would be fun!
Really hope that the metformin keeps making your cycles shorter!! Insane how much more oppurtunities that could give you per year! Fingers crossed!!
Love all the colab and fashion ideas! Really like the content I have seen with other youtubers with styling and wardrobe challenges.
I've been spending a bit less time on youtube this year, but your videos are always the best to come back to!
I'm glad you're raising Rowan with Jewish traditions! It is so often taken for granted to raise kids with Christian traditions, but any other traditions are seen as too religious or too conservative. While there's plenty things that can change about pretty much all older cultural things, traditions are so important and mostly Fun!
I always look forward to Vlognukah, thanks for doing it! 😊
I'd like to see the friends styling you/you styling friends and you wearing outfits that are not your usual style. I think that would be quite fun! You could be Goth Hannah, Vintage Hannah, Punk Hannah... idk, maybe I'm just an overgrown kid but throwing on a costume still sounds fun to me.
And the book video ideas! Just any of them. I'd love to see more book content from you if you're interested in making it.
Get Jessica Kellgren Fozard to style you vintage and talk about life!
Doughnuts are definitely a Chanukah thing! In Hebrew, they're called sufganiyot 😁 (so happy, because I generally love doughnuts. Haha)
Would love a veganuary challenge- maybe going vegan for the week. Always love seeing peoples experience of trying new recipes etc
Keeping my fingers crossed for you with your TTC journey ❤️ xx
jewish children's book recomendations: the chanukkah guest, hershel and the hanukkah goblins, and in the month of kislev. "stealing the smell of my latkes" has become ubiquitous in my household. not sure why we never read any non-hanukkah books? but these three stood out as favorites.
One of my best friend is Muslim and ever since I was 10 I was invited to their religious traditions while I grew up atheist but culturally Christian I guess because GERMANY haha. I truly believe that shaped my entire character 😂 I’m so not religious but I appreciate religious traditions - those focused on community at least. And though I might not believe in the power of prayer I appreciate my friend talking to Allah about me because I know that’s her highest form of love. I truly believe more people growing up with foreign religions would make the world more peaceful.
Wicked is amazing film I cannot wait for part 2! What a great cast to couldn’t fault it whatsoever 🙌
Happy New Year to you and family Hannah! 🎉 bring on 2025
I watched the Hormone Diaries with rapt attention and I love everything you've shared here. Thanks Hannah!!
For us, my husband is also culturally Jewish and for our wedding and raising our son we've connected with Humanistic Judaism! We have a local congregation and they have alternate versions of blessings that take God out.
This came just as I was about to go on a dog walk, thoroughly pleased! 🙌 love your videos Hannah, all the best for you and your family always!
I would LOVE a video/list of some of the most impactful/meaningful/important books to you across different genres!
Love the reading recs from your followers ideas & chats on productivity/planning!
I appreciate you so much talking about ur journey and thanks so much hannah 🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎
the caledonian sleeper one made me smile! 😂 i'm from up north in scotland and we used to take the sleeper train to london aaaall the time as a family! it was definitely kid-friendly back in the 90s haha
2025 bingo would be fun! Me and my friends made them last night. We each came up with 24 things we want to do in 2025 (ie new walk somewhere in our country, going to a new restaurant, decorating my work from home office, submitting the next article for my PhD, Efteling is actually on our bingo cards haha). As a more fun, less "punishing" alternative to new year's resolution. We had such a good time coming up with the 24 things and decorating our bingo cards😊
The second I heard about the 40 by 40 list I went and started a 30 by 30 list! I'm 25, going on 26 in April and I definitely feel like I've missed out on a lot and don't get to do a lot of 20 something year old things, the 30 by 30 list is a great way to figure out what I want to do!
Omg I would love to see people like Lucy and Leena style you 😍
big yes to any fashion/styling/decorating vids!! tbh though just like hanging out with you so I’ll be here regardless!
Hi Hannah!! I’d love to keep up with your current TTC journey as long as you’re willing to share. My husband and I are in the same boat and I love hearing as many perspectives/ experiences as possible 🩷 best of luck with baby #2!
Productivity deep dives please!!
I don’t understand how people don’t get the difference between religion and culture tbh. We’re living in the most secular age known to man and fewer and fewer people actively participate in religious practices, especially in the christian world, but our whole culture is still steeped in traditions that have religious origins- just think of the xmas holidays! Religion and culture overlap a lot, but something becomes religious if you actually believe in god and actively practice your traditions with the intent of honouring the god of your choice. I’m sure it slightly differs from religion to religion and culture to culture but it doesn’t seem like such a hard concept to grasp.
oh my gosh quality couple bonding time doing lego sets is the best, isn't it!! the rivendell set is the dream. weve been working on the office set this year11
I started celebrating Hanukkah 2 years ago. We lit the menorah, had latkes and challah. We do spiritual exploration within our family and it’s been so eye opening. 🤍
I would love a 'Why Haven't I Burned Out Yet' video! I am currently experiencing minor burnout unfortunately and struggling with getting back to work... Also, I have been a long-term fan of yours and always so impressed with how you manage to do so much stuff and managing your self-employed business, and then ALSO being a mother.. Please please please tell me how hahaha
I look forward to videos on home renovations, TTC and finances ☺️
Well being culturally Jewish sounds pretty similar to being culturally Christian so tbh I don’t get the confusion. I celebrate every holiday associated with Christianity, I’ve even been to things like choir services and occasion events at church. I don’t believe in God at all. I think a large amount of people in the UK are the same. Maybe the connection in Judaism is a bit stronger because of the ethnicity connection which isn’t really there in Christianity, but it’s like the same concept?
That LEGO set looks MAJESTIC ✨ Have fun building it (unless you've already finished, since it's pre-filmed 😅).
I loved Efteling, it has much more character than Disney and isn't so crowded.
You could do more coaching videos too! Like for instance what the hell is it? And if I had x problem, what would a coach do to walk me through it? (You could even do as opposed to a therapist or a friend or a spouse) It’s a fascinating world and I know nothing about it.
love all of these new video ideas. it makes me excited for your content in 2025!
I can't remember if it's something you've already done bc I know you've worked together before, but re collabs/working with other people & fashion videos for next year: I'd personally love if you and Jessica Kellgren-Fozard worked together again for a vintage clothing video of some kind?? As a fan of both of you, I love when you're in the same video 😂🥰
Totally up to you but one thing I do to preserve my religious heritage (not Jewish) though I’m not always comfortable with all things related to my religion (Eastern Orthodox Christian) is to intentionally give to charity that I find important and tie into a holy day. Ex for days related to the Theotokus (Virgin Mary) we pick out a board game to donate to the children’s hospital because the children’s hospital cares for pregnant women and sick children which is associated with the Theotokus culturally but the hospital doesn’t get overally involved in political movements. I got this tradition from my mom who always made a point to take us shopping to get gifts for the local group homes for children in foster care who are waiting to be placed with a family.
How often do you and Dan talk about gender issues, e.g. regarding parenting and expectations for mothers vs dads, the mental load or similar topic? Do you feel like it comes up a lot? Did you have to argue about some of these things?
omg YES to more productivity/freelance videos!!
The parenting, home and food ideas sound most interesting to me but I watch of them. Health, ttc, and sit down chats are intersting too.
What I spend in a week, I'd like that video!
Love lots of your video ideas! Would also like a games recommendations video for games parents can play. Maybe ones that are easy to start and stop or can fit into an evening after you've put the kids to bed 😅
Love all your fashion videos
I like the 2025 Bingo Card idea. Still goals or ambitions for the year but not as stressful if you don’t do them all. Just need to get some done to make a bingo
The bookshop in Battersea Power Station does those wrapped up books. Also it's independent despite looking like a waterstones. They seemed quite offended when I tried to scan my app... oops!
West Hampstead High Street in London has an indi book shop called House of Books. They sell the wrapped books with only a description on the outside.
My kids are 3.5 years apart and best friends! (They are 12 and 8.5 now). I grew up in a family where I had a 12 year age gap from my sister and 13 months with my brother lol… and there’s pros/cons to all the gaps. Personally, I loved that my first was potty trained and mostly out of the tantrum phase when my second came.
Sufganiyot (the doughnuts) are a larger traditional food, not just your family. That said, food in the holidays can also be culturally based. Ashkenazi food being more Eastern European and Sephardic being more Mediterranean.
Take the Caledonian sleeper all the way to the last stop in Fort William and visit The Highland Bookshop, they have a blind date with a book section!
Hannah using YNAB makes me so happy as I am literally reconciling right now lol. I'm a YNAB nerd so I hope you make that video!!
Hannah, you mentioned National Theatre and NT Live, I’m a brand ambassador for the NTLive program!! I know these are filmed like a month in advance but if you still haven’t got an in with them yet let me know and I can try and introduce you with my contact. Their next PR invite is coming up in a couple of weeks and it’s an exciting one 👀👀
There's actually an old Scottish song called 'the Rowen Tree' that I used to sing in Gaelic choir. It's very pretty
My daughter turns 3 in the Spring and we’ve been trying for our second for nearly a year and a half (took 12 months last time). I very much relate to you and your ttc journey. Hopefully 2025 will be both of our years for getting pregnant.
I feel connected to my Russian heritage when I have Eastern Orthodox paraphernalia. My mom visited Kazakhstan recently and she got me a bunch of Eastern Orthodox stuff. My mom would have a bunch of that stuff around the house so to me it’s just something connected to my family and something that is comforting. I don’t have any connection to god and I’m pretty much atheist but I enjoy having Eastern Orthodox stuff to keep close to my Russian heritage and my Russian mother as an American.
I somewhat practice but I got lucky with an unusually well studied parish. (Ironically this usually results in parish that is very heavily practicing and religiously traditional but more socially liberal/aware because well…they actually read the book and chose to follow it.) Anyway 2 suggestions: ice cream/treats on feast days. Also Father Arseny: A Cloud of Witnesses is a fabulous read. It discusses his work in the gulags but isn’t preachy. It really helped me better appreciate and connect with family and friends who lived under communism.
The Shabbat geared toward younger kids you mentioned? In some of the synagogues in my area (New Jersey, USA) they call those "Tot Shabbat"
Many of my friends growing up were Jewish, and most of them ranged from agnostic to atheist! In the US I think it's more common to think about how ethnicity, religion, and nationality all come together to inform a person's culture and traditions. My mom's family comes from Italy originally, so things like the foods I grew up eating and the holidays I celebrate are passed down, even though we don't live there anymore and no one is Catholic except my grandmother. Many of my Jewish friends celebrate rosh hashanah, yom kippur, hanukkah, and passover with their families, but don't go to temple or regularly keep kosher. It's all a personal choice, which traditions are important to you to keep and pass on!
For blind date with a book, there’s book shops on upper st and in Crouch End that do the wrapping paper books
Getting all your UA-cam friends to dress you for a week would be a fun video. It could even maybe be a series.
Your hair looks exxtra pretty in this video!
Thank you for speaking out about Palestine ❤❤ and as for videos, i watch everything you put out, i watch for you!
Doughnuts for Chanukah is deffo a big tradition - not just your family 🎉🍩🤩
i love YNAB i definitely would love a video on how you use it even though I've used it for years and am unlikely to change anything I do ... :')
I'm happy to hear your TTC journey! I'm a fellow lean PCOS girl with a baby/toddler who does not sleep. I'm glad metformin is working for you. Have you looked into an inositol supplement? It was the main thing that worked for me. I'm also going to start taking vitex once I wean
I think your Taylor Swift analogy about analyzing her songs like poems is spot on (especially as a former English major). I think the ability to interpret her lyrics (and the encouragement to look for symbols, Easter eggs, real-life references, etc.) is part of what makes her music so popular/engaging.
Wishing you all the best for your TTC journey! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
I would look at children’s book lists from the Jewish book council!
im going on the sleeper from london to scotland this spring! it's SO expensive but i CANNOT wait! I will update how it goes haha
Yaaay a long Q&A!
I’d love to see a video about the budgeting app you use
What makes you so sure you want a second child? Is it mostly a feeling or is there also practical reasons why you think it makes sense and will improve your life?
Have you tried myo-inositol for your PCOS? It worked a treat for my irregular cycles and is more natural if used at lower doses ❤️
I would love a video about how you use YNAB I’m a big YNAB nerd and love to see how others use it!