Funny, you don't look Jewish... (DU Jews? Check in here)

[elfwitch]

I'm just kinda wondering how many other Jews there are here on DU.
Were you born Jewish or did you convert? And another question, are you Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox?

Me: Reform, convert

[aquart]

1. I come from the Jewish atheist wing.

Honest to God, my family used a Haggadah rewritten by my mom and my uncle for years, with mention of God edited out.

[elfwitch]

4. so you are...

In my conversion classes were were told that there are religious, cultural, or hereditary Jews. Or there are combinations of the three types.

So that makes you hereditary. Cool enough. I'm just happy to be on the team.

[seventhson]

2. I think...

that this kind of question is not permitted here -- but a poll might be so that folks do not have to necessarily identify themselves.

I am a gentile whose father worked with the Jewish/French and International antiNazi underground in WWII.

It is one reason I am so hesitant to trust those with ties to the Bushies who financed Hitler, no matter what their alleged affiliation.

I have been to Israel/Palestine and it reinvigorated my faith in the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Islam AND Christianity and the influence of Buddhism/Vedanta (Hinduism) and Zoroastrianism (Monotheism from Persia) on this faith also became clear to me.

I found the Essenes and resisters at Masada very compelling spiritually as well.

I guess I am a Hillelian believer in the Rabbi Jesus who I suspect/believe was a Buddhist and an avatar/Boddhisattva.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. I'm Jewish

Reform...and yes, I hear "you don't look Jewish" all the time. *groan*

[elfwitch]

5. I get that alot...

I've just kinda learned to live with it. My problem comes when most people assume everybody is Christian.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. I'll bet Sammy Davis Jr got it more than both of us :-)

[elfwitch]

7. I'm sure he did

:shrug:

[Beetwasher]

48. LOL!

Cute!

[tishaLA]

8. I was born a Jewess, thank you very much

and raised conservative. So many prominent Jews in te congregation I grew up in (in Philadelphia)! I'm reform/agnostic now.

[elfwitch]

14. I love being reform...

It is flexible and extremely modern in its views and practices.

[scottcsmith]

9. Jew by choice

I converted in 2000. Long story short I was raised a Southern Baptist, but by my early 20s I became agnostic, I no longer believed in the Christian dogma. I became interested in Judaism in the early 1990s as I discovered I had Jewish relatives. I began studying in 1999. By the way, guys, if you've ever considered converting, and you're already circumcised, be warned: you will be required (depending on the movement of Judaism) to undergo a symbolic circumcision, which does require drawing a drop of blood from that...area.

Due to my dominant Hungarian features, I look very Jewish.

[elfwitch]

12. Jew by choice...

My husband and I converted at the same time. (Temple beth-El San Antonio). He was raised Southern Baptist too. I was raised nothing in particular. Our Jewish Family Services counselor said I was probably Jewish (based on my belief system) all my life and I just didn't know it.

[radfringe]

10. my partner

but she doesn't post on the DU...does it still count?

[elfwitch]

13. sure does!

Some Reform congregations will perform commitment ceremonies. The Rabbi at my old Temple had done a few. Of course, I don't think any of them would do a ceremony for a mixed couple (one Jew, one non-Jew). In Dallas there is a synagogue that is primarily gay and lesbian. Reform Judaism is really understanding of such things.

[Zomby Woof]

11. Lonestar checks in

[elfwitch]

15. That's it????

I can't believe there aren't more.
Come ON!!!
Say it loud, I'm a Jew and I'm proud!
(borrowing slightly from James brown)

[Kamika]

17. it's still early

I'm sure most won't log on until evening or tomorrow

[Hawkeye-X]

16. Hi..

checking in..

Me: Modern Orthodox, born (I hate being an Orthodox, but I said modern because I don't give a damn about the rules on electricity or driving on Sabbath, but we do keep kosher)

Hawkeye-X

[elfwitch]

18. how kosher?

Do you do the separate fridges and stuff?
Do you do the no milk and dairy together?
Do you just stay away from the pork and shellfish?

I'm pretty much in the last category.
I tried the no meat and dairy thing but it was jut TOO HARD.

[Squeech]

19. Oh all right.

I was brought up Jewish, in a conservative synagogue in the Boston suburbs. I was chronically the worst student in my Hebrew school classes, and I was bar mitzvah'ed in a quickie ceremony at the age of 15 so I could be called to the Torah at my brother's bar mitzvah the next week.

I didn't want to post in this thread because I'd just posted in the atheist thread.

That said, I guess I identify as culturally Jewish. I like the ideas the Jews have about righteousness (tzedakah). As an example, there's a huge contrast between the Christian concept of good works, which is that there's no virtue in it if you do it from impure motives, and the Jewish concept, which is that if you keep doing it you will eventually learn the righteous motivation, and in the meanwhile, the world will benefit from your charity!

I also really enjoy the Passover festivity-- a holiday dedicated to the liberation of an oppressed people, and heaps of good food, what's not to like? :-)

On edit: I don't keep kosher, and I eat trefe. And I certainly don't keep the Sabbath.

There's a tradition that says the Shekhina (loosely translated as the Face of God) turned away from the world with the destruction of the Second Temple, and will not return until either all Jews keep the Sabbath, or *no* Jews keep the Sabbath. Cynic that I am, I think I should bet on non-compliance. And I really don't want to have to give up lobster.

Further edit: I certainly look the part: massively curly hair, big hooked nose, excess body hair... I might as well get a tattoo "O my daughter, O my ducats!"

[mitchum]

20. Goyim child who was lost in the woods and raised by a pack...

of Sheckeys. "Mitchum of the Catskills"

[Bunny]

21. Well, I'm not Jewish, but I was once

hugged by a rabbi! Does that count for anything?

[bobthedrummer]

22. My sister married a Jewish non -religious guy

and I have a nephew...

[Nikia]

23. I am matrilineally but my mother was baptized so not really

I also was baptized of course. I am Christian but like many Jewish theological ideas. They make sense.
Strangely, a number of aquaintances have thought that I was Jewish but they don't tell me why. There are Jews that look like me but I don't look stereotypically Jewish.

[AlFrankenFan]

24. Reform, born

And damn proud of it :D

[elfwitch]

26. glad to be a part of the Reform group...

Best decision i ever made. Well that and marrying my husband.

[Cassandra]

25. Very Reform and born that way

and happy about it!

[tom_paine]

27. Non-practicing here...but my Jewish identity is strong

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

28. Look Jewish?

Hi! I was brought up Jewish, had a bat mitzvah, parents kept kosher (still do), separate dishes, etc.

My husband isn't Jewish, but neither of us converted (he was brought up Catholic but does not practice anything).

I still light the Shabbos candles most Friday nights, though we don't keep kosher and I attend my parents' shul (Orthodox) on the High Holy Days.


My Hebrew name is Devorah Sarah. Anyone else care to share theirs?

Valarie

[elfwitch]

29. Dontcha just love Shabbat?

I love lighting the candles. I love challah. I can't imagine what Friday night would be like without candles, wine, and bread.

My Hebrew name is Devorah as well. When I chose my name I did it to honor my mother who was Deborah. My husband is Yakov and my son is Gidon.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

30. Comments that get under my skin

Does it bug you, or anyone else on this board, when people say that someone "looks" Jewish? Stereotypes, in general, bother me. I mean, looks at Alicia Silverstone. She's Jewish, and doesn't "look Jewish" at all!? It's funny to me. I think of Judaism as a religion with traditions vs. a race you know? I mean, there are Ethiopian Jews (after all, Jews were nomads so really, someone "looking Jewish" doesn't even make sense). Perhaps it's the perception of someone being of Eastern European descent.

One thing that REALLY, REALLY ticks me off, though, is when I hear people refer to someone being cheap as "jewing someone down." That just makes me want to scream! I immediately tell them that is extremely offensive (of course, they usually don't realize that's what they're saying), especially since I'm Jewish. I've heard it more than once at my workplace (it has since stopped since I corrected the couple of people who said the offesive phrase), and what really killed me is that the ignoramus actually defended the comment!!? That
drove me totally insane!!!!!

How have you all handled this kind of stuff?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. I had someone say it to me at a DU event!

:eyes:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

39. "I had someone say it to me at a DU event!"

OMG! Did you say anything, or were you in shock!?

Like, this came out of a Democrats' mouth!!?? WTF!!!!!!!!!!!

[ikojo]

33. Since my dad was IRISH Catholic, I have a very Irish last

name and a very non Jewish first name...think ma of you know who...

However, I have VERY curly hair...am short and round.and hairy even though I am female (NOT fun)..so when people LOOK at me they assume the obvious but when they hear my name they also assume that I was Catholic at one time. I get tired of having to tell my story to everyone and their brother and sister. It's not any of their business but many make it so.

According to orthodox law once one has converted then it is forbidden to mention that person's previous non Jewish status. The orthdox believe that a non Jew who comes to Judaism is simply a Jewish soul that was misplaced into a non Jewish body and found its way home.

As far as "looking" Jewish what people are really saying is that you look Eastern European and/or Slavic. Since Jews lived many centuries in Eastern Europe those are the features that are prominent.

[latebloomer]

36. My dad was Irish Catholic too!

And Mom is Jewish, but they were both atheists and Reds.

I felt more Jewish, because the Yiddish-speaking grandparents were very close to me.

The extent of our "observance" was lighting Hanukkah candles and having a million presents under the Christmas tree.

[latebloomer]

35. I was on the Lifecycle at the gym

when I heard one of my fellow cyclers use the term "jewing someone down." I gave him a filthy look, and when I finished cycling, I went up to him and said, "That expression really offends me." He said, "Me too, I was just repeating what some jerk said to me." Oops!!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

38. "I was on the Lifecycle at the gym"

Good for you!

I hope that jackass never repeats it again. Makes you wonder: if he thought the other guy was a jerk, why did he think to repeat it...not exactly someone you'd like to emulate, huh?

I think sometimes people don't realize what they're saying until we tell them.

[elfwitch]

42. In my office...

I am the only Jew in the office. It is a small company however. I have to constantly remind them that not everyone celebrates Easter and Christmas. I have to constantly remind them on days we get pizza or something to keep the pork products off the ingredients list.

One year I got really dirty looks for taking off on Yom Kippur and asking to leave early on Erev Rosh Hashana.

I usually handle it by FIRMLY reminding people that not everyone is Christian and that those of us who aren't don't like to have our beliefs run over by theirs.

[ikojo]

32. Jewish....

Been that way all my life...

Dad was Catholic so most sibs are a variation thereof....

I consider myself a Conservareformadox Jew...I like what all branches have to say...I prefer Conservative Judaism because it leans more traditional but includes women in all aspects of worship. The Reform movement is my political home (check out the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism at http://www.rac.org/home-frame.html).

Shalom to all!!!

[meti57b]

34. here I am, .... checking in ....

:hi:

[elcondor]

37. Converted to Reform

:hi:

[Ellen Forradalom]

40. Member of the Gentile auxiliary

Episcopalian married to a Jew. We decided to bring up our son Jewish. I haven't felt a burning need to convert but I may yet--haven't ruled it out.

[Skittles]

41. my boss is Jewish

he does the most HILARIOUS impression of his mother - he says Mike Myer's Linda Richman on SNL's Coffee Tawk is an exaggeration but "not much". :7

[Kamika]

43. lol I remember her

Loved it when they talked about madonna and barbara

[Skittles]

44. "huh voice is like buttah"

"tawk amongst yourselves" :7

[elfwitch]

45. Did you see the Behind the Actor's Studio with Mike Meyers?

It was a hoot! He explained where he got the character from.

[Skittles]

46. lol

I would have loved to see that. My boss' imitation includes a lot of hand-wringing and angst. I have told him that if I ever meet his mom Edith I'll embarrass myself laughing. He cracks me up.

[Beetwasher]

47. Jewish Atheist Here

I was raised jewish, Bar Mitzvah'd even went to confirmation! But now I'm an atheist. :shrug: I'm still Jewish though, aren't I?

[Hand]

49. Fifty-fifty...

Dad was Jewish, Mom was Japanese-American. They met in California, but had to leave the state to get married (pre-WWII; anti-miscegenation laws, don'cha know).

Funny thing is that since I'm Jewish patrilineally, I'm not strictly speaking Jewish, even though my last name is Halpern. If Dad had been the Nisei and Mom Jewish, I'd be more officially Jewish, but my last name would be Fujii!!

Meshuggah, neh?

:hi:

[Wonder_Cow]

50. I'm Jewish

my rabbi kicked me out of sunday school.

Ive never felt realy been the same since.

[a_random_joel]

51. Agnostic Jew

Born Jewish, proud of my heritage.

Still practice a couple things for tradition, but not a real big believer.

[a_random_joel]

52. BTW

I don't think I look Jewish, but, who know/who cares.

Parents kept Kosher growing up... not Orthodox, but Conservative(as in the religion not the political dogma). Hebrew school for 5 years, and Bar Mitzvah'd.

My wife is not, but she respects both my Jewish heritage and my agnostic beliefs. Can't beat that.

[davidinalameda]

53. I think I'm part Jewish

I read something which said that Miller, which is my mother's maiden name, is the Jewish version of Mueller and my grandfather's ancestors came from Germany