perhaps life sums halfway normal concept better than dorie elie eliezer happen former yeshiva teacher mother even before dorie elie moved that literal halfway geographical location farmer city they were halfway normal number other healthy ways favorite things about them they conducted their relationship almost scientifically backwards fashion they summer during college pregnant baby moved together know each other bought house together moved from jersey farmer city then married five years after baby elie post-punk dorie's crafty he's jewish she's protestant he's serious earnest she's bubbly really works it's halfway normal best past couple years elie dorie have hosted hanukah seder dinners their brick victorian farmhouse which they're painstakingly restoring jason were both raised christian families have respect jewish traditions make point more aware christians jews alike beliefs different think being able take kids real jewish holiday meal great thing it's surreal though farmer city town people four saskia asked there only farmer there there seem many farmers might expect only jewish residents when you're driving into town toward grain elevator humming your jewish tunes feeling you're going some illicit gathering secret society like maybe should hide brush pull curtains before elie dons yamaka lights candles drink four large goblets sweet wine gulp most down before much anything besides some horseradish matzoh night wears singing seder order kaddesh urechatz karpas grows increasingly robust kids delighted they only begin understand normal this whole scene being jewish specifically just different general isn't easy place like farmer city those like perpetuate stereotypes about midwest this lack openness anyone different from unfortunately real issue many smaller towns imagine it's more small town issue than geographical although i've never lived small town either coast can't sure when elie dorie first moved illinois they suspected they were being judged their neighbors part because they came from east coast part because elie jewish part just because they plans their house yard your plans town that small only proves think you're better than everyone around their suspicions about their neighbors feelings were confirmed when elie into with neighbor claimed they hadn't mowed lawn recently enough elie studying plant biology university tried explain broader vision their yard that they were growing wildflowers part their yard were going plant hostas over here neighbor wasn't buying before retiring worked some lawn chemical company yard consists plain very green short grass right fence started accusing them being moneyed people from east with unconventional fancy ideas when things escalated neighbor said going report elie went that sure people have plenty lawyers family take that jewish dorie elie only thing response such situation they threw party exact lawn soiree complete with silver script-inscribed napkins croquet fancy-schmancy cocktails whole bunch friends wearing formal wear were fancy possible wonderful time celebrating elie dorie where they whether neighbors like 