PSA: Jews are a racial group

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

Agree. This is why I never advertise any jewish ancestry. I w as raised christian and would not and don't need to convert to Judaism or even practice Christianity. It's just a fact and part of who I am and that's all there is to it. It really isn't part of my life. I had a neighbor who is christian and no jewish ancestry or upbringing and converted to judaism. not only is it weird in itself, she was off the charts weird herself. She had been in a mental institution and was very disturbed in many ways. She was obsessed with Judaism and the culture. My friends who are jewish said they know to stay clear of these types when they come to their synogogue. I have kept all ancestry and religion out of all of my friendships and it works. We don't need to prove any background to each other.

Are you saying that converting to Judaism is "weird in itself"? One of my closest friends converted, and she did so because she preferred Jewish teachings, beliefs, and traditions. Why is that weird?

Sorry. I am just really upset about other things this neighbor did and after hearing about friends experiences. There also just seems to be a strong cultural component to the practice of Judaism where one would feel left out if they did share that. Sorry that I offended you. I think I better sign off on this topic. I've said enough.

No worries. All is forgiven!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

Agree. This is why I never advertise any jewish ancestry. I w as raised christian and would not and don't need to convert to Judaism or even practice Christianity. It's just a fact and part of who I am and that's all there is to it. It really isn't part of my life. I had a neighbor who is christian and no jewish ancestry or upbringing and converted to judaism. not only is it weird in itself, she was off the charts weird herself. She had been in a mental institution and was very disturbed in many ways. She was obsessed with Judaism and the culture. My friends who are jewish said they know to stay clear of these types when they come to their synogogue. I have kept all ancestry and religion out of all of my friendships and it works. We don't need to prove any background to each other.

Are you saying that converting to Judaism is "weird in itself"? One of my closest friends converted, and she did so because she preferred Jewish teachings, beliefs, and traditions. Why is that weird?

Sorry. I am just really upset about other things this neighbor did and after hearing about friends experiences. There also just seems to be a strong cultural component to the practice of Judaism where one would feel left out if they did share that. Sorry that I offended you. I think I better sign off on this topic. I've said enough.

No worries. All is forgiven!

Thanks! I'm moving on to another thread. Now you know why I keep religion out of friendships. I never say the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

How long is the conversion process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

How long is the conversion process?

It’s extensive and traditionally a rabbi is supposed to reject your request to convert twice before letting you start the process. The idea is that you’re supposed to be very committed to it. Once you start, there’s a lot of studying involved. Being an adult in the Jewish community requires a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, which means you need to lead at least the Torah service (sometimes more, but at least that). So you have to learn how to sing all the prayers in Hebrew, as well as the weekly Torah and Haftorah portions. Typically you’ll also be delivering some sort of personal interpretation of those passages too. It takes a good few years for Jewish kids to prep for it, though I suppose a committed adult might be able to do it more quickly.

I will also point out that among traditional Conservative congregations and all Orthodox ones, if your mother and her family isn’t Jewish, you aren’t Jewish and have to convert. That’s because traditionally Judaism is an ethnoreligious community where your ancestry really matters. This is less so in Reform and more lenient Conservative congregations.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a super memory, forget it!

[Anonymous]

Conversion does not require a bar/bat mitzvah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Conversion does not require a bar/bat mitzvah.

And those born Jewish don't have to have a Bat Mitzvah, either. They 're still Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH was raised Christian (his Jewish grandparents converted) but is 49% Ashkenazi. The grandma who converted escaped the Holocaust and the rest of her family remained Jewish. It’s a big part of his family's identity and history. So for him it would be yes to the race part but no to the religion part.

What about his 1. ethnicity and 2. nationality?
You left those out.

1. Mishmash. Mostly Polish I think? His mom (100% Ashkenazi but raised Christian) married a white guy.

2. American.

About what percentage of American Jews are part Polish?
Anyone have an idea?

NP (not Jewish. Half-Jewish by ancestry DC.) I’d imagine a pretty even split among Ashkenazi between Germans and Poles, with a sprinkling of other Eastern European nationalities, but remember that these borders kept shifting so the village might have been in Poland and then in Russia. DC’s DNA from Dad says tiny percent Siberian Asian group, then Russia, Poland, and Germany per 23andme. Ancestral documents say only Germany and western Russia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Conversion does not require a bar/bat mitzvah.

And those born Jewish don't have to have a Bat Mitzvah, either. They 're still Jewish.

Sure. I just pointed it out because it’s something you need to participate more fully in everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

How long is the conversion process?

It’s extensive and traditionally a rabbi is supposed to reject your request to convert twice before letting you start the process. The idea is that you’re supposed to be very committed to it. Once you start, there’s a lot of studying involved. Being an adult in the Jewish community requires a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, which means you need to lead at least the Torah service (sometimes more, but at least that). So you have to learn how to sing all the prayers in Hebrew, as well as the weekly Torah and Haftorah portions. Typically you’ll also be delivering some sort of personal interpretation of those passages too. It takes a good few years for Jewish kids to prep for it, though I suppose a committed adult might be able to do it more quickly.

I will also point out that among traditional Conservative congregations and all Orthodox ones, if your mother and her family isn’t Jewish, you aren’t Jewish and have to convert. That’s because traditionally Judaism is an ethnoreligious community where your ancestry really matters. This is less so in Reform and more lenient Conservative congregations.

Sounds like tribalism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if I tell you I'm Jewish, it means nothing until we get into a huge debate about what kind of Jew I am, or am not.

Sounds ridiculous.

I am not Jewish, although the DNA does say I'm 4% . . .

I also have two good Jewish friends - one who's secular and "cultural" and the other who's fairly conservative. My conservative pal will say that there are levels of acceptance among Jewish folks as to who's actually really Jewish.

So yes, PP, you are being judged on level of religiosity.

It’s not levels of religiosity, it’s how Jewish you are. It isn’t everyone, but for some people if you’re not Ashkenazi or Sephardic by background (which represents about 90% of Jews) you’re not really Jewish. It isn’t fair but the perception is definitely prevalent. At my synagogue, if someone converts from Christianity, we accept them but think it’s a little weird. Again, not fair, but I’m just being honest here.

How long is the conversion process?

It’s extensive and traditionally a rabbi is supposed to reject your request to convert twice before letting you start the process. The idea is that you’re supposed to be very committed to it. Once you start, there’s a lot of studying involved. Being an adult in the Jewish community requires a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, which means you need to lead at least the Torah service (sometimes more, but at least that). So you have to learn how to sing all the prayers in Hebrew, as well as the weekly Torah and Haftorah portions. Typically you’ll also be delivering some sort of personal interpretation of those passages too. It takes a good few years for Jewish kids to prep for it, though I suppose a committed adult might be able to do it more quickly.

I will also point out that among traditional Conservative congregations and all Orthodox ones, if your mother and her family isn’t Jewish, you aren’t Jewish and have to convert. That’s because traditionally Judaism is an ethnoreligious community where your ancestry really matters. This is less so in Reform and more lenient Conservative congregations.

Sounds like tribalism

True.

[Anonymous]

Why are so many posts removed from this site, but it appears ok to question Jews??? Some of the comments and the entirety of these posts are offense to jewish people.

[Anonymous]

Trying to be so exclusive is offensive to those who are kept out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to be so exclusive is offensive to those who are kept out.

It’s not exclusive to define yourself as an ethnoreligious group. Not everyone can be a part of every group. Jews don’t proselytize for a reason; we’re happy to be who we are, and don’t feel we need tons and tons of us.

I also agree with PP; most of this thread is hugely offensive to the Jewish people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to be so exclusive is offensive to those who are kept out.

It’s not exclusive to define yourself as an ethnoreligious group. Not everyone can be a part of every group. Jews don’t proselytize for a reason; we’re happy to be who we are, and don’t feel we need tons and tons of us.

I also agree with PP; most of this thread is hugely offensive to the Jewish people.

As in, why dare you question who we think we are?