I think I know what you mean...

I'm a Christian but I agree that Jewish heritage has much to be proud of. For years i lived in Melbourne's Jewish 'heart-land' and my DD grew up surrounded by Orthodox Jews walking beside her in at the local shops etc. I was a bit in awe of them as a culture...and always wanted to know more about their traditions. My boss was a Jew too and she made lots of traditional foods... infact recently i tried to replicate a chicken ball soup that she once brought in one winter... it was delish! Maybe you know the name of this soup??? Anyhow.... totally off topic.... but (and I hope I don't offend)... I maybe would just try to relax into the issue a bit. You don't really have to have all the answers immediately... maybe live as you would like your children to live; open-minded to the possibilities. I don't think, and this is JUST my opinion... I don't think you have to say that you don't believe in God. However, if i was in your position I would alternatively convey that you are open to the idea of God (if this is in line with your thoughts). Kids don't need black and white answers... even older ones.... and I find that they can relate to uncertainty quite well. I think more adults could learn from the child-like flexibility... in my faith it is encouraged for adults to maintain this quality.

My DH isn't a firm believer in God... but he manages to convey a strong curiosity with our children. He also finds the historical context of Christianity fascinating... but when it comes to feeling comfortable in church THAT is another thing. His parents wanted nothing to do with religion so kept him right away from churches... he didn't enter one until he was 21... and that was Saint Pauls Cathedral in London!!! He finds this upsetting... his discomfort. When his mother passed away he wanted to celebrate her life in the chapel during the service but all he felt was uncomfortable... hoping that he wouldn't embarrass himself by not knowing when to sit, stand, sing and pray... what do you do when you pray? Where do you look? Do you bow your head and close your eyes? or what? Now he is able to talk about his feelings... but for years the discomfort closed his mind to religion completely. It's for this reason... even though he doesn't completely believe in God... that he totally supports and encourages me taking our kids to church. He simply wants them to grow up knowing what to do. He can't prove whether God exists or not... but one thing he can do is allow them to make up their own minds by knowing the ropes enough to have a balanced perspective. You can't really dismiss something until you know what you are dismissing.

Anyhow this is just how we are dealing with the issue... I'm not prescribing it for you hope I haven't said anything to annoy or offend.