What's a Jewish Girl to Do?

A while back Sydney got this CD from the PJ Library (which gives a Jewish book or CD to kids once a month).  Well lately, Sydney has been playing this CD and can even recite all of the Hebrew words!  She askes me what they mean, but of course I have absolutely no clue!  Why would I? It's not like I payed much attention in Hebrew school.  Anyway, this music has just sent my brain cells into orbit and I'm realizing I have to figure out a few things about my kid's upbringing!

Here's the problem: I've never really been a very religious person.  However, growing up I did go to Hebrew school and celebrate all of the holidays and have a Bat Mitzvah.  I have very fond memories of opening one present each night on Hanukkah (and also throwing a fit because I couldn't open another one).  I also used to put up quite a fight every time we had to go to Synagogue.  But as awful as I was, I still remember going and remember the people who were in my Hebrew school class and these are memories that I think my kids should have.

I always said that it would be fun to celebrate Christmas.  I was jealous of the kids who got to open a ton of presents all at once.  Now, I have the best of both worlds.  Jason is half Jewish (he did have a Bar Mitzvah) and half not (I always get confused about the whole Christian religion).  Actually, I probably shouldn't admit this, but when I was in elementary school I thought that if someone was white they were Jewish and if they were African American, they celebrated Christmas.  Obviously that is so not the case!  I learned that when I moved to West Bloomfield and at the particular elementary school I went to, I was the only Jewish person in my class.  I'm totally going off on a tangent here, but my point is this:  Between Jason and I, we are not very religious, but I want my kids to experience what I did, even if I didn't like it.  So, where do we go from here?

I feel like we should join a synagogue, but would we go?  I saw an ad today for free memberships at Adat Shalom for one year.  It's right by our house, so I'm thinking we should check it out.  I mean, if I want my kids to have a Bat Mitzvah, they'll have to go to Hebrew school, and therefore, we will have to belong somewhere.  Also, I think it's important for my kids to get a sense of community and be around other kids who are all experiencing the same type of life events.  I knew this day would come when I would have to figure out exactly how to raise my kids.  I have really been enjoying my time with the Jewish Federation and meeting so many great people, and I think the next step would be to join somewhere.  However, when I see the prices, it kind of puts me into a state of shock.  That would be a whole lot of money spent if Jason and I didn't go. But I'm sure there are so many other programs and events besides just going to services on the holidays.  For some reason, I just can't visualize Jason and I sitting in services and paying attention.  So, I'm frustrated...what should we do?  I need a clear answer.  I think it's time to sit down with Jason and have a talk, huh?  I mean, I don't want to deny Jason's mom's side of the family their holidays, but I'm thinking it's time to establish a gameplan! Oy!