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May 16, 2010 4:35 PM Subscribe
YANMRabbi/IDHAR. I have been wondering about this for a long time, and I don't have a Reform rabbi available to ask. Reform Judaism (US) accepts patrilineal descent only with present "timely Jewish acts"—right on...but what are those?
My dad is Jewish, and I remember celebrating Hanukkah along with the Christmas my mom insisted on, a few Passover Seders, and Hebrew School, until I was about eight (and my poor sister was only four; she missed out on everything). Then we moved and started going to our neighbors' Baptist church, which was just weird, because no one in my family is Baptist (my mom is a post-Catholic who hates going to church, she told me). After a few months of that...nothing. Totally secular. Anyway, long story short, I am now nineteen and the more I read about Judaism the more sensible it sounds (and the more Jewish I feel...) I kind of just want to know if I have to keep telling people my whole life story when they ask if I'm Jewish (I look Jewish, I guess), or if I qualify for these elusive "timely acts" that are keeping me from Judaism.
I might convert (I like Conservative), but not right now because I'm not going to be in one place for a whole year for a formal conversion. Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it. I just want to know if I could tell people truthfully that I'm Jewish now, or if I've been living a lie this whole time. Asking a rabbi isn't an option right now.
I also heard that Jews don't like converts. I'm worried. Should I just forget about the whole thing? It's not like I couldn't totally fit in...but what if I'm found out?
My dad is Jewish, and I remember celebrating Hanukkah along with the Christmas my mom insisted on, a few Passover Seders, and Hebrew School, until I was about eight (and my poor sister was only four; she missed out on everything). Then we moved and started going to our neighbors' Baptist church, which was just weird, because no one in my family is Baptist (my mom is a post-Catholic who hates going to church, she told me). After a few months of that...nothing. Totally secular. Anyway, long story short, I am now nineteen and the more I read about Judaism the more sensible it sounds (and the more Jewish I feel...) I kind of just want to know if I have to keep telling people my whole life story when they ask if I'm Jewish (I look Jewish, I guess), or if I qualify for these elusive "timely acts" that are keeping me from Judaism.
I might convert (I like Conservative), but not right now because I'm not going to be in one place for a whole year for a formal conversion. Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it. I just want to know if I could tell people truthfully that I'm Jewish now, or if I've been living a lie this whole time. Asking a rabbi isn't an option right now.
I also heard that Jews don't like converts. I'm worried. Should I just forget about the whole thing? It's not like I couldn't totally fit in...but what if I'm found out?
You really need to talk to a Reform rabbi (if that's what you're interested in practicing at this point; I'm not 100% clear. Per jewishvirtuallibrary.org's "Who is a Jew?":
Mitzvot leading toward a positive and exclusive Jewish identity will include entry into the covenant, acquisition of a Hebrew name, Torah study, bar/bat mitzvah, and Kabbalat Torah (Confirmation). For those beyond childhood claiming Jewish identity, other public acts or declarations may be added or substituted after consultation with their rabbi.
Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it.
To what are you referring? I was raised Conservative in a completely egalitarian synagogue. There would be some issues if you wanted to be Orthodox, but it doesn't seem as though you're considering that.
I also heard that Jews don't like converts.
That's not true. We don't proselytize, but that's not the same as "not liking" converts.
posted by amro at 4:48 PM on May 16, 2010
Mitzvot leading toward a positive and exclusive Jewish identity will include entry into the covenant, acquisition of a Hebrew name, Torah study, bar/bat mitzvah, and Kabbalat Torah (Confirmation). For those beyond childhood claiming Jewish identity, other public acts or declarations may be added or substituted after consultation with their rabbi.
Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it.
To what are you referring? I was raised Conservative in a completely egalitarian synagogue. There would be some issues if you wanted to be Orthodox, but it doesn't seem as though you're considering that.
I also heard that Jews don't like converts.
That's not true. We don't proselytize, but that's not the same as "not liking" converts.
posted by amro at 4:48 PM on May 16, 2010
You can certainly say something like, "Ethnically, yes, but I wasn't raised religious." If someone pries further you can explain your father was Jewish but your mother wasn't, matrilineal descent, etc. etc. etc. Most people are just making conversation based on your looks, I'm guessing; I get asked if I'm Irish a lot and I just say "yep!" instead of explaining exactly which boats which parts of my family came over on, since I'm only part Irish.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:50 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:50 PM on May 16, 2010
I sort of misquoted the title of that link I posted - I was referring to the "Who is a Jew?" section of the page which is titled "The Tenets of Reform Judaism."
posted by amro at 4:52 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by amro at 4:52 PM on May 16, 2010
Best answer: As for your last point -- Judaism SPECIFICALLY makes a point that a convert (ger) should be treated exactly as someone who was born Jewish (Rabbi Yitzhak rules unequivocally that it is a mitzvah (commandment) to embrace any person wishing to convert).
If you are interested in learning more, there are lots of options out there. A reform rabbi would, indeed consider you Jewish by patrilineal descent but it's not a bad idea to take some classes, do some reading before you have opportunities to take a formal class.
Personally, I love JewFAQ.org. I could click links all day and I grew up a pretty Jewy Jew.
If you want to BE Jewish, really, just start learning. It's the most Jewish thing in the world.
posted by Sophie1 at 4:52 PM on May 16, 2010
If you are interested in learning more, there are lots of options out there. A reform rabbi would, indeed consider you Jewish by patrilineal descent but it's not a bad idea to take some classes, do some reading before you have opportunities to take a formal class.
Personally, I love JewFAQ.org. I could click links all day and I grew up a pretty Jewy Jew.
If you want to BE Jewish, really, just start learning. It's the most Jewish thing in the world.
posted by Sophie1 at 4:52 PM on May 16, 2010
You're going to hear a variety of answers, depending upon who you ask. As far I'm concerned, you're not
Jewish NOW, although you could become Jewish if you wished to convert. Incidentally,
"Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it" tells me you should learn a bit more about the variety of Jewish practice today, before you start calling yourself Jewish: that read like an insult, though you probably didn't mean it that way.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 4:54 PM on May 16, 2010
Jewish NOW, although you could become Jewish if you wished to convert. Incidentally,
"Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it" tells me you should learn a bit more about the variety of Jewish practice today, before you start calling yourself Jewish: that read like an insult, though you probably didn't mean it that way.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 4:54 PM on May 16, 2010
Timely Jewish acts usually means, in practice, "growing up as a Jew with Jewish rituals", and I wouldn't say that you did that. (I am not a rabbi, but "stuff until age 8" is just too young to have stopped.)
I'm not sure what you mean by "living a lie". You can tell people you're Jewish (which I think might be stretching the truth a bit, but is sometimes reasonable to do so), or that your father is, or that your father is and you're thinking of converting.
If you'd like to convert, why not go to synagogues to see what you do and don't like about the different ones -- Conservative has a reasonably large variation before you consider things like Reform/Reconstructionism, which tend to be more liberal (but aren't, necessarily: I've been to a Conservative synagogue more liberal than a Reconstructionist one, though those are odd cases). That also shows a bit more dedication, during the time you'll be moving around a lot.
Some Jews don't like converts, some do. The line is supposed to be that converts are true Jews, as Jewish as anyone born Jewish, but any group of people will have assholes.
posted by jeather at 4:55 PM on May 16, 2010
I'm not sure what you mean by "living a lie". You can tell people you're Jewish (which I think might be stretching the truth a bit, but is sometimes reasonable to do so), or that your father is, or that your father is and you're thinking of converting.
If you'd like to convert, why not go to synagogues to see what you do and don't like about the different ones -- Conservative has a reasonably large variation before you consider things like Reform/Reconstructionism, which tend to be more liberal (but aren't, necessarily: I've been to a Conservative synagogue more liberal than a Reconstructionist one, though those are odd cases). That also shows a bit more dedication, during the time you'll be moving around a lot.
Some Jews don't like converts, some do. The line is supposed to be that converts are true Jews, as Jewish as anyone born Jewish, but any group of people will have assholes.
posted by jeather at 4:55 PM on May 16, 2010
I went to both conservative and reform synagogue growing up. Orthodox don't consider anyone not orthodox Jewish, so in their eyes you wouldn't be. I would go with reform.
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 4:56 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 4:56 PM on May 16, 2010
Best answer: Giving the Orthodox perspective:
Non-Jews are traditionally discouraged from converting because there's no reason to convert. Unlike how "non-believers" are considered in Islam and Christianity, non-Jews are not damned to hell in Judaism; they are on equal footing and indeed have a much easier time than Jews. Non-Jews are bound only by the seven laws given to Noah (Noah coming long before Jews did, these laws apply to all of mankind). Jews, however, are expected to fulfill 613 positive and negative commandments (mitzvot). That is what the Jews are "chosen" for-- they're not chosen because they're the best, they're chosen to bear the burden of these obligations and become a "light unto the nations".
Why, the rabbi asks you, would you want to become a Jew and be obligated for all of that when you would otherwise just have to worry about the seven noachide laws? There's nothing in it for you but hard work and enduring the other sufferings Jews can typically expect from society. If a rabbi discourages you, be persistent. He's only watching out for your spiritual welfare. If you're sincere, he should welcome you.
As far as telling people whether you're Jewish or not, I think it depends on whether you're hanging around with Orthodox Jews or not. If not, identify yourself however you feel most comfortable. If so, then just be honest. Non-Jewish males should actively disclaim their status if they're in a synagogue or other place where men might pray-- be quick to inform someone that you can't be counted in the minyan. Females, I think it's not as important in that regard since in O circles women don't have an active role in the liturgy. But be straightforward with people; If you say you're Jewish and halacha says otherwise, some people might perceive it as patronizing or ignorant. I can't imagine why anyone would not be receptive and understanding of your actual status.
posted by holterbarbour at 5:09 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
Non-Jews are traditionally discouraged from converting because there's no reason to convert. Unlike how "non-believers" are considered in Islam and Christianity, non-Jews are not damned to hell in Judaism; they are on equal footing and indeed have a much easier time than Jews. Non-Jews are bound only by the seven laws given to Noah (Noah coming long before Jews did, these laws apply to all of mankind). Jews, however, are expected to fulfill 613 positive and negative commandments (mitzvot). That is what the Jews are "chosen" for-- they're not chosen because they're the best, they're chosen to bear the burden of these obligations and become a "light unto the nations".
Why, the rabbi asks you, would you want to become a Jew and be obligated for all of that when you would otherwise just have to worry about the seven noachide laws? There's nothing in it for you but hard work and enduring the other sufferings Jews can typically expect from society. If a rabbi discourages you, be persistent. He's only watching out for your spiritual welfare. If you're sincere, he should welcome you.
As far as telling people whether you're Jewish or not, I think it depends on whether you're hanging around with Orthodox Jews or not. If not, identify yourself however you feel most comfortable. If so, then just be honest. Non-Jewish males should actively disclaim their status if they're in a synagogue or other place where men might pray-- be quick to inform someone that you can't be counted in the minyan. Females, I think it's not as important in that regard since in O circles women don't have an active role in the liturgy. But be straightforward with people; If you say you're Jewish and halacha says otherwise, some people might perceive it as patronizing or ignorant. I can't imagine why anyone would not be receptive and understanding of your actual status.
posted by holterbarbour at 5:09 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: "Not to mention I don't know if I could handle how Judaism treats women; no matter how they justify it" tells me you should learn a bit more about the variety of Jewish practice today, before you start calling yourself Jewish: that read like an insult, though you probably didn't mean it that way.
Sorry; I didn't mean it like that. I have been reading mostly Orthodox stuff, I have to admit, and I naturally am inclined to think that if I can't agree with them, I shouldn't even bother. I know that most Jews in North America aren't even Orthodox, but I still inadvertently see it that way.
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 5:12 PM on May 16, 2010
Sorry; I didn't mean it like that. I have been reading mostly Orthodox stuff, I have to admit, and I naturally am inclined to think that if I can't agree with them, I shouldn't even bother. I know that most Jews in North America aren't even Orthodox, but I still inadvertently see it that way.
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 5:12 PM on May 16, 2010
I have been reading mostly Orthodox stuff, I have to admit, and I naturally am inclined to think that if I can't agree with them, I shouldn't even bother.
The Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist branches of Judaism are all very different animals. Read about all of them.
posted by amro at 5:25 PM on May 16, 2010
The Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist branches of Judaism are all very different animals. Read about all of them.
posted by amro at 5:25 PM on May 16, 2010
Orthodox don't consider anyone not orthodox Jewish, so in their eyes you wouldn't be.
This is not true. Orthodox consider anyone who is either:
a) the child of a Jewish mother
b) a convert via the Orthodox conversion process
Jewish, regardless of level of observance.
They would not consider the OP Jewish because the OP's mother is not Jewish, not because the OP is not observant.
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:26 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
This is not true. Orthodox consider anyone who is either:
a) the child of a Jewish mother
b) a convert via the Orthodox conversion process
Jewish, regardless of level of observance.
They would not consider the OP Jewish because the OP's mother is not Jewish, not because the OP is not observant.
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:26 PM on May 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Personally, I feel that liberal Jews (however you might want to define that) have a stellar history in how they treat women, and how much liberal Jewish women have contributed to the greater good of all mankind - at least relative to the times and to other religions and ethnic groups. For example, any history of early 20th Century social movements regarding labor, sufferage, rights of the oppressed (and so on) will display a surprising number of Jewish women who were movers and shakers, and plenty of Jewish men who believed in these movements as well.
Anarchist Voices isn't a bad place to start to see some evidence of this, and A Bintel Brief, a collection of letters to the Jewish Daily Forward over sixty years' time offers almost shocking proof of intensely feminist thought (from men and women) eons before it became commonplace in America.
If I were Jewish, I'd be intensely proud of the role women have and do play in Judaism. Nothing's all roses, of course. But if I met you and asked your religion and you told me, "My father was Jewish and although I wasn't raised to be observant, I consider myself Jewish", well that would certainly be enough for me. And for most people, I suspect.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 5:29 PM on May 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
Anarchist Voices isn't a bad place to start to see some evidence of this, and A Bintel Brief, a collection of letters to the Jewish Daily Forward over sixty years' time offers almost shocking proof of intensely feminist thought (from men and women) eons before it became commonplace in America.
If I were Jewish, I'd be intensely proud of the role women have and do play in Judaism. Nothing's all roses, of course. But if I met you and asked your religion and you told me, "My father was Jewish and although I wasn't raised to be observant, I consider myself Jewish", well that would certainly be enough for me. And for most people, I suspect.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 5:29 PM on May 16, 2010 [3 favorites]
Good question. Ask a bunch of Jews, you'll get a bunch of answers. If somebody asks you if you're Jewish, I think "Half" is a perfectly reasonable answer. But "yes" is fine, too, if that's what you want the answer to be, and if nothing formal hinges on the response.
Should you convert? If you have religious feeling, sure. You'll be fully accepted in any Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist community. If you want to stay secular, I'm not sure what the point of converting would be.
You say "asking a rabbi isn't an option right now." Not sure why -- you're a college student, right? Talking to kids who are trying to figure out their religious identity is pretty much a college Hillel rabbi's full-time job.
posted by escabeche at 5:31 PM on May 16, 2010
Should you convert? If you have religious feeling, sure. You'll be fully accepted in any Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist community. If you want to stay secular, I'm not sure what the point of converting would be.
You say "asking a rabbi isn't an option right now." Not sure why -- you're a college student, right? Talking to kids who are trying to figure out their religious identity is pretty much a college Hillel rabbi's full-time job.
posted by escabeche at 5:31 PM on May 16, 2010
That link for "A Bintel Brief" went wrong, but you can find it on Amazon.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 5:31 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 5:31 PM on May 16, 2010
Best answer: I know that most Jews in North America aren't even Orthodox
Here are two stories you should read. Judaism has always been a living, breathing religion. I would never feel comfortable being Orthodox, for a variety of reasons, but I'm still happy to strongly identify as Jewish. There's an entire world of Judaism out there for you to explore; a rabbi can help you with that, but there's no reason you can't start on your own. I have a feeling you'll be surprised by what you learn.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 5:35 PM on May 16, 2010
Here are two stories you should read. Judaism has always been a living, breathing religion. I would never feel comfortable being Orthodox, for a variety of reasons, but I'm still happy to strongly identify as Jewish. There's an entire world of Judaism out there for you to explore; a rabbi can help you with that, but there's no reason you can't start on your own. I have a feeling you'll be surprised by what you learn.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 5:35 PM on May 16, 2010
Just go to shul when you want to. Light candles on friday night, and the point above about learning is the best point. I'm a tall waspish looking guy and have been to a wider range of services (met the Lubavitcher Rebbe) than anyone I've run into and felt completely welcome in every situation, service or celebration. So just start showing up, it's not like there are not a bunch of empty seats most weeks pretty much synagogue. When you feel the personal need for more formality, talk to a rabbi.
posted by sammyo at 5:48 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by sammyo at 5:48 PM on May 16, 2010
Best answer: You seem to feel jewish, and that's a good enough reason to explore some kind of formal conversion. You could talk to a conservative rabbi about it, but I believe they are as hard-core on conversions as normal-dressing orthodox jews are. You should find a reform rabbi to discuss this with, who would probably begin by loading you up with lots of books to plow through. And that's a very good thing.
As for telling people you are jewish--it depends on who you are talking to. I was raised normal-dressing (misnaged) orthodox, but dropped the practice because I do not believe in anything like jwhw, and NEVER did.
That said, judaism is more about practice that faith. A jew has no real trouble eating kosher and observing the sabbath--the devil (yetzer harah--the desire to do wrong) is not a severe problem for most jews, as it is for christians. Faith is not often mentioned either--you don't observe commandments because you supernaturally know you should, but because the commandments define you and are in harmony with your definition of yourself.
I could go on, but really, find a sympathetic rabbi (shouldn't be hard), think, feel, and consider.
posted by hexatron at 5:50 PM on May 16, 2010
As for telling people you are jewish--it depends on who you are talking to. I was raised normal-dressing (misnaged) orthodox, but dropped the practice because I do not believe in anything like jwhw, and NEVER did.
That said, judaism is more about practice that faith. A jew has no real trouble eating kosher and observing the sabbath--the devil (yetzer harah--the desire to do wrong) is not a severe problem for most jews, as it is for christians. Faith is not often mentioned either--you don't observe commandments because you supernaturally know you should, but because the commandments define you and are in harmony with your definition of yourself.
I could go on, but really, find a sympathetic rabbi (shouldn't be hard), think, feel, and consider.
posted by hexatron at 5:50 PM on May 16, 2010
My Conservative boss at a previous job took great and mischievous pleasure in calling our Catholic Worker coworker a closet Jew because his Catholic Worker house observed Passover. I think you'll find there's a lot of latitude in modern American Judaism beyond just the Orthodox model, and that's what your college's Hillel can help you explore.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:11 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 6:11 PM on May 16, 2010
You might find some interesting reading on Half Jewish, starting with this essay on "Inclusivist Judaism".
posted by judith at 8:08 PM on May 16, 2010
posted by judith at 8:08 PM on May 16, 2010
Best answer: As MeFi's resident Reform rabbi, I'll chime in now (but if there are any more of us out there, speak up or forever hold your peace!). :O)
My short answer, though, is that for now, don't be shy! Start reading, observing holidays, showing up to pray and build community, and most of all LEARNING about your Jewish heritage. If, in the long run, you do decide that living a Jewish life is what you want, a conversion (even if pro forma) might be a good idea. That would maximize the number of Jewish communities that would accept your Jewish status (as things stand right now, you're not 100% guaranteed of that even in Reform congregations).
But that's a REALLY short answer to a complicated question, and I'd be happy to talk to you more about this, either by DM, e-mail or phone.
posted by AngerBoy at 8:53 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
My short answer, though, is that for now, don't be shy! Start reading, observing holidays, showing up to pray and build community, and most of all LEARNING about your Jewish heritage. If, in the long run, you do decide that living a Jewish life is what you want, a conversion (even if pro forma) might be a good idea. That would maximize the number of Jewish communities that would accept your Jewish status (as things stand right now, you're not 100% guaranteed of that even in Reform congregations).
But that's a REALLY short answer to a complicated question, and I'd be happy to talk to you more about this, either by DM, e-mail or phone.
posted by AngerBoy at 8:53 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: As a convert I can tell you I was quite concerned that some congregants would consider me Jewish and some would not but on the advise of a friend from Temple, you have to deal with it. Her father had been Jewish and her mother not so she had to formally convert at a later age.
From the time I was probably late 20's to the my mid-40's I had never felt proper referring to myself as "catholic", I actually felt like I was sinning when I had to do, say for hospital admittance, etc.
I wish I had been presented with Judaism at a younger age but they say everything happens for a reason. Initially I was sure I would never be accepted for the conversion process since most of what you read on the internet is "Orthodox based" but I continuted to do my reading and "research" and after a couple of years everything fell into place. A Christian friend with a great love of Israel was the one who had learned of Torah Study held at our local temple and from there it was blessing. The first time I attended Torah Study, I think I had a grin on my face for close to week, it felt so right. I had a chance to have a brief talk with the Rabbi who suggested a set up a meeting for further discussion regarding conversion.
From there I started Jewish Information classes with the Rabbi, I started attending services just prior to Chanukah and took my mikvah within approximately one year of first setting foot in Temple. The day of my mikvah was honestly the first day of my life where I felt I was where I was supposed to be -- I felt "whole".
There are but a few congregants who I actually felt doubted my Jewishness and most took a sincere interest in my conversion and even offered to be one a mikvah witnesses months before I took it.
I have to reason to believe that my great-grandparents (mother's mother's) were Jewish when they came to North America and hid it once they arrived. Is this why I never felt "right" priort to converting, I don't know. My mother passed when I was a baby and unfortunately no one has come forward and admitted it although some previous family history stories have been striped of their truth suggesting that the family has been trying to keep SOMETHING burried.
I think my soul knew what was wrong long before I did.
posted by sunshine22 at 12:38 PM on August 6, 2010
From the time I was probably late 20's to the my mid-40's I had never felt proper referring to myself as "catholic", I actually felt like I was sinning when I had to do, say for hospital admittance, etc.
I wish I had been presented with Judaism at a younger age but they say everything happens for a reason. Initially I was sure I would never be accepted for the conversion process since most of what you read on the internet is "Orthodox based" but I continuted to do my reading and "research" and after a couple of years everything fell into place. A Christian friend with a great love of Israel was the one who had learned of Torah Study held at our local temple and from there it was blessing. The first time I attended Torah Study, I think I had a grin on my face for close to week, it felt so right. I had a chance to have a brief talk with the Rabbi who suggested a set up a meeting for further discussion regarding conversion.
From there I started Jewish Information classes with the Rabbi, I started attending services just prior to Chanukah and took my mikvah within approximately one year of first setting foot in Temple. The day of my mikvah was honestly the first day of my life where I felt I was where I was supposed to be -- I felt "whole".
There are but a few congregants who I actually felt doubted my Jewishness and most took a sincere interest in my conversion and even offered to be one a mikvah witnesses months before I took it.
I have to reason to believe that my great-grandparents (mother's mother's) were Jewish when they came to North America and hid it once they arrived. Is this why I never felt "right" priort to converting, I don't know. My mother passed when I was a baby and unfortunately no one has come forward and admitted it although some previous family history stories have been striped of their truth suggesting that the family has been trying to keep SOMETHING burried.
I think my soul knew what was wrong long before I did.
posted by sunshine22 at 12:38 PM on August 6, 2010
Response by poster: Wow, I'm glad I decided to come back and read this thread for some reason. Thank you for your story, sunshine22—I know exactly what you mean. But fortunately, things seem to be fitting together for me more instead of less as time goes on.
I hope it's still going well for you :)
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 9:00 PM on August 19, 2010
I hope it's still going well for you :)
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 9:00 PM on August 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
There are plenty of secular Jews out there, or ethnic Jews who probably had as much exposure to the actual cultural practices and religion as you did.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:46 PM on May 16, 2010 [1 favorite]