Reply to I'm Jewish. Ask me anything.

Forum Index » Religion

Reply to "I'm Jewish. Ask me anything. "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think this is a great thread.  I am not Jewish and I'm definitely curious about Jewish people.   Do you feel that anyone treats you differently for being jewish?  I know many people in DC are Jewish but because antisemitism was prevalent in this country for so long, I just wondered if you ever feel like people react in an off way to you?  I guess that is a weird question... What do you like about being Jewish?  I envy your heritage and traditions.   I have a feeling I am going to get burned for these questions, topics like this can be so sensitive but I will say upfront I am just curious, if I offended, it was unintentional.  Thanks.[/quote]

I'm a Jewish young adult, but I identify more as atheist/agnostic. I used to be very involved in the Jewish community, but not any more. A lot Jewish people in my generation come from wealthy families and are sort of spoiled and obnoxious. Education is highly valued in Jewish culture and I believe this is why you find a high proportion of Jewish professionals- doctors, lawyers, etc, and therefore well-off families. I was not raised in a wealthy household and my parents have not supported me financially since I left for college as a teenager. I consider my forced independence from a young age to be one of my defining characteristics, as I am hardworking, frugal, and down to earth. For these reasons, I generally do not find much in common with other Jewish young people. Even if my views on God and religion had not changed, the Jewish "scene" has soured for me.

I'm also the least Jewish "looking" person you could meet. Pale skin, light hair, light eyes. People are usually surprised to hear that I am (was?) Jewish. I generally self-identify as "non-religious" but consider myself ethnically/racially Jewish (if pressed). I've had a few weird encounters, although rarely do I hear people make anti-Semitic comments. Once a teenager (when I was working as a camp staffer) asked how I could possibly be Jewish, because didn't that Hitler guy kill the Jewish people? Once my boss apologized for a comment she had made about Christmas cookies or something several days before- she had thought it over and was concerned that it might have been offensive. I didn't remember the comment! Of course, it was kind of her to be so considerate anyhow. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics