Gwyneth Paltrow Hangs Christmas Stockings With Her Jewish Kids
Brad Falchuk and Gwyneth Paltrow Image by Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow enhanced our dull little lives by letting us peek into her holiday celebrations with her family.
For Paltrow, who famously “consciously uncoupled” from then-husband Chris Martin in 2014, “family” includes Martin, her new husband Brad Falchuk, and her two children, Apple and Moses. The only way I’d hang a stocking for an ex is if I had Goop’s $40 herbal calming spray. Yet Gwyneth, somehow, is smiling.
Paltrow uploaded an image on Instagram that has raised a few questions. First: How is she able to spend quality time with her ex-husband? Props. Second: Why is a Jewish woman celebrating Christmas with her Jewish husband?
With zero judgment (but tons of nosiness,) we decided to review just how Jewishly-identified Paltrow and her family are.
Paltrow’s father was Jewish, but her mother is Christian, and the wellness entrepreneur has said she was raised with practices from both traditions. She reportedly went through a Jewish conversion process in 2014. Chris Martin identifies as Christian.
Their blended backgrounds inspired the family to incorporate aspects of both religions, though Paltrow has expressed a desire to raise her children Jewish. Last year, Paltrow spoke about celebrating a little bit of everything, explaining that her kids are “great” on Hanukkah.
“Their Hebrew singing is really getting there,” she said. “And we do Christmas. I believe in everything. I love all the traditions. We make cookies and eat too much.” Somehow, we’re not too worried about Gwyneth Paltrow eating too many cookies.
The family’s Jewish connection doesn’t end there. Brad Falchuk, Paltrow’s new husband, has strong ties to Judaism. Both of his parents are Jewish, and his mother was the national president of the Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America for many years. Hadassah is one of the most acclaimed American Zionist organizations, which makes Nancy Falchuk a pretty macher in our books.
The Paltrow-Martin-Falchuk approach to shalom bayit (a peaceful home) is pretty inspiring. Mezuzah hanging next, please!
Tamar Skydell is an intern at The Forward. You can contact her at skydell@forward.com
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