I'm Jewish. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP --

When I was pregnant with my son, I thought about the name "Christian" (I'm not Jewish, but all of my co-worker best friends/lunch buddies were jewish at the time). I did not name my child Christian b/c I didn't want to offend my friends or make it look like a religious statement (I just like the name -- I'm culturally Christian, but mostly agnostic).

When you meet someone named Christian are you put off?

Nope. Actually, a good friend of mine had a baby a couple of months ago and named him Christian. The name doesn't roll off my tongue, but I have no problem whatsoever with it or using it.

[Anonymous]

Do you believe in God? If so, why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with tons of Jews but I could never ask this question. Do you think you are special/chosen and the rest of us are not?

I grew up Catholic but don't practice and never identified as being special or saved in some way.

Just wondering-- thanks

To be honest, I do. I didn't have that clarity growing up when I was in Saturday or Sunday school and in Hebrew school. As ive matured, I view religion a bit differently. I don't walk around entitled.

does this chosen status apply to part jewish people?

Yep. If one of your parents is Jewish, you're in!

Only parents? What about your grandparent? Or great grandparent?

[Anonymous]

Did you vote for Obama?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you vote for Obama?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with tons of Jews but I could never ask this question. Do you think you are special/chosen and the rest of us are not?

I grew up Catholic but don't practice and never identified as being special or saved in some way.

Just wondering-- thanks

To be honest, I do. I didn't have that clarity growing up when I was in Saturday or Sunday school and in Hebrew school. As ive matured, I view religion a bit differently. I don't walk around entitled.

does this chosen status apply to part jewish people?

Yep. If one of your parents is Jewish, you're in!

Only parents? What about your grandparent? Or great grandparent?

I'll allow it.

[Anonymous]

OP,

My sister has gone through classes to convert to Judiasm. She apparently has not had the final ceremony -- not sure what is holding that up. Is a converted person ever really accepted into the rest of the club?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you believe in God? If so, why?

I'm undecided. I did. Many things have happened in my life that have left me with a lot of questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is being a Shiksa (sp?) as taboo as people think it is? Would you admit it?

I find it kind of annoying but completely look past it if the girl converts.

what is your definition of a shiksha?

Gentile female that is attractive to Jewish men. I picture a petite blond with long straight hair and light blue eyes.

i find this funny because i know lots of jewish men who are actually married to non-blonde people (asians, african americans, etc). times are a changing it seems.

Statistically, men and not women marry out of their religion.

Somehow, when a Jewish man makes this choice, his non-Jewish wife is blamed (and hence given the ugly moniker shiksa). The man, meanwhile, is not assigned an equivalent epithet.

Interesting statistic. I only know women who have converted to Judaism, not men. I think there is huge pressure on men to marry a Jewish girl. There may not be a well known Yiddish word for the opposite of shiksa, but trust me that their family members place as much "blame" (even though i dont think this is the right word) on the man.

I don't need to trust you because I have personal experience with this. The Jewish family indeed blames the shiksa/woman. In general, Jewish sons can do no wrong. Trust me, I know; I'm married to one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

My sister has gone through classes to convert to Judiasm. She apparently has not had the final ceremony -- not sure what is holding that up. Is a converted person ever really accepted into the rest of the club?

Definitely yes. Once converted, it's an equal playing field. I have great respect for those who have made the decision to convert.

[Anonymous]

Why are you defining Shiksa as a non-Jewish woman married to a Jewish man? That definition is incorrect. A Shiksa is a non-Jewish woman. It doesn't matter who she is married to. And no, it's obviously not tabboo to be female and not Jewish.

FWIW, many of the Jewish men I know who married non-Jewish women, no matter what their ethnic or religious backgrounds, married the Catholic, Chinese (or whatever), version of their Mother. It's like they went after a woman who they thought totally didn't represent how they grew up but they didn't realize that there are women like their Moms in all cultures anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you defining Shiksa as a non-Jewish woman married to a Jewish man? That definition is incorrect. A Shiksa is a non-Jewish woman. It doesn't matter who she is married to. And no, it's obviously not tabboo to be female and not Jewish.

FWIW, many of the Jewish men I know who married non-Jewish women, no matter what their ethnic or religious backgrounds, married the Catholic, Chinese (or whatever), version of their Mother. It's like they went after a woman who they thought totally didn't represent how they grew up but they didn't realize that there are women like their Moms in all cultures anyway.

You may have missed some previous conversation. I sad that a shiksa is a shiksa until she converts. He can be a friend, a girlfriend, a lover, a life partner. I don't really care. If she isn't Jewish, she is a shiksa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you believe in God? If so, why?

I'm undecided. I did. Many things have happened in my life that have left me with a lot of questions.

I'm sorry, OP. I hope you find answers that give you peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with tons of Jews but I could never ask this question. Do you think you are special/chosen and the rest of us are not?

I grew up Catholic but don't practice and never identified as being special or saved in some way.

Just wondering-- thanks

To be honest, I do. I didn't have that clarity growing up when I was in Saturday or Sunday school and in Hebrew school. As ive matured, I view religion a bit differently. I don't walk around entitled.

does this chosen status apply to part jewish people?

Yep. If one of your parents is Jewish, you're in!

Only parents? What about your grandparent? Or great grandparent?

I'll allow it.

Not the OP. If the grandmother was Jewish and had a daughter, and that daughter had a child, the child would be Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

My sister has gone through classes to convert to Judiasm. She apparently has not had the final ceremony -- not sure what is holding that up. Is a converted person ever really accepted into the rest of the club?

Definitely yes. Once converted, it's an equal playing field. I have great respect for those who have made the decision to convert.

not OP. In fact they are treated with the highest esteem.