DU Jews check into this safe haven

[scottcsmith]

Someone has to bring the food, though...anyone make a tasty brisket?

Let us know your Hebrew name, if you don't mind...I'll start...mine is Toviel.

[a_random_joel]

1. Non-practicing, agnostic landsmen here.

Still damn proud of my heritage.

Hebrew name is Yoseph.

And I'll be bringing some knishes and homemade mish mosh soup.

[AlFrankenFan]

27. Non-practicing agnostic Jew here too :)

Don't have a Hebrew name, I would have, but my mom married a Catholic.

[Az]

29. Check out Humanistic Judaism

I have had positive encounters with leaders of this movement. It may be worth checking out.

[JohnLocke]

2. Checking in.

Benyamin...and where's anti-NAFTA?

On edit: I'll bring the matzo ball soup and matza. :)

[elfwitch]

3. Yo!

Devorah.

On edit: I'll bring the matzo ball soup and matza. :)
Matza is one of the most repellent foods (I use that term loosely) on the entire planet.

[JohnLocke]

4. I like it.

It's good on peanut butter. :)

[a_random_joel]

5. Not garlic matza

Yummy.

[elfwitch]

8. Okay I'll grant you those...

The flavored cracker sized ones are the only thing that makes it possible to get through Passover.

My favorite are the Manischewitz Macaroons.

One way to make Matzo tasty. Cover it in chocolate!

[beanball]

24. Jewish food

what no wine?Man oh------------,fill in the blank.

[Padraig18]

6. My favorite uncle is Jewish.

I know a few words of hebrew and own a yarmulke. May I sit in? I promise I'll be no trouble...

:hi:

[Whitacre D_WI]

7. Eyesroll makes a mean chopped liver.

I don't know her Hebrew name, though -- I think it translates to "peaceful doe" or "deer-in-headlights," or some such.

I'm a goy, so I can get the lights in case the party crosses over into Shabbas.

[eyesroll]

33. Shulamit

And it does translate into "peaceful doe."

Thanks for the chopped-liver props! (1# cooked chicken livers; four hard boiled eggs; one medium onion, chopped and sauteed; stick the whole mess in a food processor until it's as pasty as you want it; salt to taste.)

I also make a mean chicken noodle soup.

[Skittles]

9. are you all tawking amongst yourselves???

:evilgrin:

[a_random_joel]

13. Yeah, we're talking about...

kicking your ass!

[Skittles]

23. WELL !!!!

;)

[displacedtexan]

10. Not a Jew, but my grandfather was...

Thanks for the haven!
I made the mistake of venturing into I/P a few minutes ago. Too many Philistines over there!

Edited to add my Hebrew name: Sharon

[NashVegas]

11. I'm Not Jewish But Got Called a 'Kike' Once

And it wasn't meant in a good way. It was an interesting experience.

[ikojo]

15. Wow! Did someone assume you were Jewish based

upon appearances? Sorry that happened to you. Some people can be idiots.

[scottcsmith]

17. I look very Jewish

I'm a "Jew by Choice" or a Jewish convert. I've never told the story here at DU as to why I converted, so here goes.

I was raised as a Baptist. When I hit 18 and went into the Navy, I pretty much had a falling out with religion in general. I became an agnostic.

In 1990, when I was sent to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I became good friends with a fellow Navy journalist who was Jewish. We had many talks about Judaism, and he thought I was Jewish because of my strong Hungarian features.

Sometime in 1991 my mother told me about a family relative that her uncle had uncovered, the Hungarian painter Mihaly Munkacsy. I was somehow related to him. The big news for my great-uncle was not that we were related to a famous painter but that he was Jewish. So, in 1991, the first seeds were planted in my mind to convert to Judaism.

By 1999, I was ready to convert. My then-girlfriend at the time decided she'd convert with me; she too had a falling out with the Christian faith. So, in 1999, we began studying for conversion. The Oregon Board of Rabbis offers an "Introduction to Judaism" course that is open to anyone, but is also a prerequisite for conversion. That was about a year of study, and in 2000 we completed the conversion ritual within the Conservative movement of Judaism. And guys, let me tell you, even if you are already...well...circumcised, it doesn't count for conversion (except for some Reform conversions), so they still have to take some blood from that area.

My wife and I converted, and in August 2000 had a proper Jewish wedding.

Our families, while initially pretty upset with us, did attend the wedding, and I think they came away with a very positive view of Judaism.

Portland's Jewish community is very small, but we have congregations for just about every movement within Judaism.

[ikojo]

19. Welcome to the tribe, Scottcsmith!

It's a joy to have ya!

So, by becoming friends with the Navy journalist and talking about Judaism, did it strengthen his connection to Judaism as well?

Most Jews I know are INCREDIBLY impressed with JBCs.

As far as being a Jew by Choice, I think we are ALL Jews by Choice.

What kind of shul do you attend now? I shul hop and attend a conservative and Reform shul. I like the Reform synagogue because of the congregations politics and I much prefer the conservative services.

[elfwitch]

28. Also a Jew by Choice...

My husband and I converted together. He was raised Southern Baptist. I wasn't raised with any particular faith. We read a few books about Judaism and then went to Temple Beth-El's adult education classes. We decided to convert there.

Best thing we ever did.

[ikojo]

12. Yiddishe maidel here

Miriam Shoshannah is how I'm known in the tribe.

I'll bring the hamantashen as we celebrate Purim this weekend!!!

[mitchum]

14. The food you brought to the safe haven is awful...

and such small portions!

mitchum of The Catskills

[AlienGirl]

16. I'm getting there!

I've wanted to convert to Judaism for a long time, and have finally gotten the nerve to enroll in conversion class. (It took nerve because I'm scared of being rejected.)

Tucker

[ikojo]

20. You go aliengirl! I wish you much success as you begin

your studies.

I admire anyone willing to take on the yoke of Jewishness at this time. It's a brave step indeed what with the Passion and the Middle East situation and all.

What brought you to Judaism, aliengirl?

Me, I had a choice, dad was Catholic and Mom was not (obviously). So I chose the Jewish side. I am the only one in my family to do so.

[AlienGirl]

21. Very deep personal reasons

It's hard to explain, actually...

[Darranar]

18. Culturally and ethnically Jewish agnostic here. n/t

[JohnLocke]

35. Really?

Cool. :thumbsup:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

39. You're in excellent company

Isaac Asimov, Albert Einstein... just to name two.

[alittlelark]

22. Shiksa here.....I am more Jewish than Hubby

But I can't be a shiksa 'cuz we're married. If it were not for me , his family would practice NO holidays (I was raised Cath. - now atheist). I appreciate ritual. I feel that our society is ignoring ritual to it's severe detriment.
To all the cooks on the board - MY FRIDAY NIGHT POT ROAST PUTS YOURS TO SUCH SHAME that once you taste it, you will 'give it up' and get yours ready-made from Boston Market (or whatever icky chain is around you)!!!:smoke: :evilgrin:

[BurtWorm]

32. My daughter is Jewish

on account of my wife is Jewish. My wife was raised atheistic, despite her father having been raised possibly to be a rabbi. (He eventually became a communist high school science teacher instead.) Actually her parents divorced when my wife was a wee lassie--or a shayne meidel, as the case may be--and my mother-in-law, who was also a lefty, raised her.

I was raised nondenominationally Christian-ish, but I've been agnostic/atheist myself for most of my adult life. We are traditionally challenged and approach holidays somewhat haphazardly. But we have close friends who observe some traditions, not out of a religious sense, really, but more for cultural reasons, and we do holidays like Passover, Hanukkah and Purim with them.

[bubblesby2002]

25. I hope I can join in - I'm not Jewish but

my cousin is married to an Israeli and they live in Gedera. His name is Schmolek and her name is Laura - she's a convert. So doesn't that make me part Jewish? I make a mean chicken soup with dumplings.

[ms_splash]

26. Joseffa Gita here

jewish on both sides, although I am not at all religious

[IconoclastIlene]

30. Yehudith Shulamith here!!!!

Nice enough sounding name!!

[IconoclastIlene]

34. and I can make whatever goodies you might like

Challah
Matzoh Ball Soup
Chicken Soup
Brisket
Roast Chicken
Kasha and Bow Ties
Honey Cake
I buy the Hamantaschen, though
and too many more to mention!!!!

[Katha]

31. Proud Jew here

My Hebrew name is Berura.

[Mass_Liberal]

36. I'm an athiest jew

I don't much like Judaism, but nearly all my friends are jewish. Jewish comics are the best...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

37. Cheers to a religion that urges its followers NOT to evangelize

I greatly admire that. :toast:

[absyntheNsugar]

38. Ethnically Jewish through Catholic Grandparents and Raised Methodist,

But then again everything else about me is a mix!

Despite the g'rents being Catholic, they were known to make some mean latkes.

Tov!

[JM]

40. Aaron checking in...

...actually, my name is Arl Avraham, but my temple changed it to Aaron when I was a kid because they didn't like the Yiddish part.

I'll bring the Filtered Fish (it is a long story)

JM

[Karenina]

41. Peep, peep.

OK, you said this is "safe haven." So I'll be vewwy, vewwy quiet and just whisper... I'm getting paranoid and just cuz I'm paranoid don't mean they ain't out to get me. I'm not so easily identifiable and could "pass" if push came to shove, but this whole fundie Xtian shit going down... IndianaGreen and I BOTH saw it right clear OVER A YEAR AGO. I got my seatbelt buckled and all, but I just really need a hug...