Anonymous wrote:"AMA": Okay, here goes: When you were single, did you only consider events that would potentially introduce you to Jewish men?

No. But I did participate in many more events that would introduce me to Jewish men. When asking people to set me up, I only considered Jewish men. I did Jewish speed dating and with exception of a high school boyfriend, have only dated Jewish men.

Anonymous wrote:Question for you, OP. My child has been going to some bar/bat mitzvah services and some majorly sweet parties to celebrate these events. So elaborate, like something on TV, way better than first communion and our wedding. What's with that? How did this religious rite develop into these huge parties?

I'm mid-30s and had a similar celebration when i was 12. So did my siblings and all of my jewish friends growing up. You're right, they are like mini weddings and come with similar budgets. I cannot even imagine how much money goes into these parties but can tell you that my child definitely won't be receiving the same.

Anonymous wrote:How do you handle Christmas? I invited one of DD's friends to a holiday party at our house and the mom sent email tp confirm that it really was a neutral winter party without any type of Christmas activities. We're not religious at all and she didn't think that there would be anything like praying or whatever very religious people do. She was concerned whether the cookies and decorations would have a Christmas theme.

My child is still young enough that we haven't had to explain that people celebrate different holidays. That could change this year, we shall see. His school is having a Christmas party, not a holiday party, where Santa delivers a gift to each child, and I'm considering keeping him out of school that day just to avoid the whole thing.

I don't know how holiday or wintery your party is intended to be, but you should be honest. If there will be snowflake cookies as well as Rudolph cookies, let her known that there will be a variety. If you have a tree in the house, let her know. Personally, I wouldn't skip a party because of the decorations.

"AMA": Okay, here goes: When you were single, did you only consider events that would potentially introduce you to Jewish men?

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that any criticism of the actions or policies of the (current or past) Israeli government is anti-Semitic?
Do you think that anything that the Israeli government does is in the interests of Jews worldwide?
Do you believe that it is possible to support the right of Israel to exist without believing that every action taken by Israel as a country must be defended even when innocent people are hurt?

All good questions. I support Israel and will leave it at that. Don't want to get into a big political discussion.

Question for you, OP. My child has been going to some bar/bat mitzvah services and some majorly sweet parties to celebrate these events. So elaborate, like something on TV, way better than first communion and our wedding. What's with that? How did this religious rite develop into these huge parties?

Anonymous wrote:OP, this obviously has nothing to do with you. I am seeking an opinion of yours (NOT other respondents): My friend joined a moms group that happened to be all Jewish except for her. While she is quiet, she got along quite well with each member one on one. However, it was clear that she was not really included. For example, one member has a condo in another country that everyone was invited to except (very clearly, no confusion) her. Is this exclusion common? If so, why?

No, but I do see a lot of 100% Jewish women in groups. They tend to form pretty tight bonds, in my experience, but i cant say that they are exclusive. Theres no way to tell unless your friend asks someone from the moms group. There could be so many other factors involved.

Sorry, second question above should have read, do you think that EVERYTHING that the Israeli government does is in the interests of Jews worldwide?

How do you handle Christmas? I invited one of DD's friends to a holiday party at our house and the mom sent email tp confirm that it really was a neutral winter party without any type of Christmas activities. We're not religious at all and she didn't think that there would be anything like praying or whatever very religious people do. She was concerned whether the cookies and decorations would have a Christmas theme.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

shiksa is a derogatory word for a non-Jewish female. Shaygetz is the male equivalent.

I believe both words are Yiddish.

Correct. Yiddish rocks.

Do you think that any criticism of the actions or policies of the (current or past) Israeli government is anti-Semitic?
Do you think that anything that the Israeli government does is in the interests of Jews worldwide?
Do you believe that it is possible to support the right of Israel to exist without believing that every action taken by Israel as a country must be defended even when innocent people are hurt?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

shiksa is a derogatory word for a non-Jewish female. Shaygetz is the male equivalent.

I can see that the word shiksa would be considered derogatory, but I don't use it in that way. Even Seinfeld had an episode about Elaine being a shiksa.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

shiksa is a derogatory word for a non-Jewish female. Shaygetz is the male equivalent.

I believe both words are Yiddish.

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.

shiksa is a derogatory word for a non-Jewish female. Shaygetz is the male equivalent.

OP, this obviously has nothing to do with you. I am seeking an opinion of yours (NOT other respondents): My friend joined a moms group that happened to be all Jewish except for her. While she is quiet, she got along quite well with each member one on one. However, it was clear that she was not really included. For example, one member has a condo in another country that everyone was invited to except (very clearly, no confusion) her. Is this exclusion common? If so, why?