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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The Jewish identity is both hard to define and even harder to maintain.  In a world where "Judeo-Christian" values are touted, its very difficult to discern how Jews are different and for those who want to maintain a Jewish identity, often separation and distinction are necessary to avoid the complete absorption of the Jewish people.

Some people define themselves as Jews by the history - Holocaust, some identify with Israel, some observe religious practice. Others distinguish themselves by not being involved with other religions - staying away from Christmas, refusing to go to churches, etc.

For those who intermarry and then follow the thought that as long as we feel Jewish, its ok to have a Christmas tree with a Star of David, it is unlikely (though certainly not impossible) that future generations from that family will have any Jewish identity at all. There's no judgment in that statement, its just a reality.

[b]None of this means that Jews look down on people who arent Jewish or feel that they are better than non-Jews. [/b]It just means that as a very, very small minority (though it often doesnt seem that way in this area), separation and distinction is absolutely necessary to maintaining an identity.

[/quote]

OP said that she feels "chosen"/special:

A PP asked OP, [i]"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"[/i]And OP wrote,

[i][b]To be honest, I do.[/b] 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. [/i]

I don't see how that could translate to anything different from feeling she is better than those who are not Jewish.  If it can so translate, please explain how.[/quote]

I am not the OP, so I dont attempt to speak for her, but I am the 11:26 PP.

I feel special to be Jewish. I also feel special to be American. I also feel special to be a woman.  I feel special bc I have a husband that loves me. I feel special bc I have red hair. Not one of these things means that people who dont have these things are worse than me or that I am better than them. It just means that these are things that have defined my life in a positive way and have made my life more meaningful. I have made amazing friends at our synagogue. I love having a solid Torah basis for imparting values to my children. I love the rich history of our religion and the good that many Jews do throughout the world.

To feel pride in your heritage and religion does not mean that you put down another's. [/quote]

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