Noah and the Ark - Totally Jewish!

Recently a friend and I were shopping at Costco and we stopped at the children's book area. We were there quite awhile and took turns showing my son different books to keep him occupied while we shopped. My friend handed him car books, then dinosaurs books, then grabbed a Noah and the ark book. Before she handed it to him though, she stopped and said, "Oh, you wouldn't be interested in this!" I knew immediately what she meant - she thought Noah was not an appropriate book for a boy being raised Jewish. I smiled and said, "Oh Noah and the ark? He's totally Jewish!"

I came home thinking about that and smiling, it is not the first time I encountered someone thinking a story they know as a Christian was not a Jewish story. When you are raised in one religion I don't think there is usually a lesson in which you learn that some religious figures are "shared" by other religions. There should be, because I think it would go a long way in helping people understand different religions. Of course, now I want to be the one to write that book, but I have a lot to learn before I can do that. Perhaps a brochure entitled, "Totally Jewish" to be given to interfaith families, to help those raised as Christians know there is a lot of shared history? Look for it at your nearest bookstore.... some day!