i'm interested in learning about my Jewish roots?

Question

my ancesters immigrated from germany, and somewhere along the way we lost our Jewish traditions and faith (we ended up southern baptist in the mountains of NC). i would like to learn about the Jewish culture...where should i start? would anyone be offended if i just showed up at Temple... would i need to understand Hebrew?

i should have mentioned that i myself am not a southern baptist, i was raised that way though. currently i worship in a non-denominational church

Answer 1

I was trying to find some information concerning Ashkenazi Crypto-Jews, which is what you are.

You are an Ashkenazi Crypto-Jew...

Don't be offended it is not an ethnic slur, it just means that you are an Ashkenazi Jew who didn't know they were Jewish or who's family had converted to another religion in the past to avoid persecution and lost their Jewish identity over time.

I must say you are a rare breed being an Ashkenazi Crypto-Jew.
I have rarely if ever met one. In case you didn't notice I am excited because I am very much interested in this subject. I am partly Jewish and I believe in Christ as Messiah.

These are Web sites dedicated to Sephardic Anousim, I couldn't find any concerning Ashkenazi Anousim, as I said, you are a rare breed. I hope you find these sights informative. They may raise more questions than answers. LOL:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.cryptojews.com/&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=4&q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypto-Judaism&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=4&q=http://www.orthohelp.com/geneal/differ.HTM&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=6&q=http://countrystudies.us/israel/49.htm&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=10&q=http://www.haruth.com/JewsMarranos.html&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=9&q=http://shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/13-05.html&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.kulanu.org/&e=9797

These are genetic studies and articles about the Jews:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=8&q=http://homepage.mac.com/harpend/.Public/AshkenaziIQ.jbiosocsci.pdf&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=10&q=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/tcga/tcgapdf/Behar-AJHG-03.pdf&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/97/12/6769&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/AJHG/journal/issues/v69n5/013033/013033.text.html&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.barzan.com/kevin_brook.htm&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=6&q=http://www.eretzyisroel.org/~jkatz/kurds.html&e=9797

Here are Web sites concerning the Hebrew language:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_language&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=12&q=http://hebrew-academy.huji.ac.il/english.html&e=9797

http://www.google.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BFBcA9_3ORIboLqKCapOPuaIErMbFBpzpmY4B5qyOBfD1EggAEAEYASgCOABIqTlQhvrLwwaYAcVMoAGKtcL_A8gBAZUCL0saCg&adurl=http://www.unforgettablelanguages.com/googleheb.html

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=5&q=http://www.ivrit.org/&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=7&q=http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew/&e=9797

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=8&q=http://www.jewfaq.org/root.htm&e=9797

Have fun exploring the wonderful, wacky, and often times confusing world of Jewishness.

Be warned, however, you will be hated by others for no reason other than you are Jewish. I hope you can deal with that aspect of being Jewish.

GOD BLESS YOU AND WELCOME TO THE TRIBE!

Answer 2

Go to www.jewfaq.org for a website with the basic views of Jewish beliefs. I don't know anybody that would be offended if you just showed up at Temple, but dress appropriately. You would need to understand Hebrew to follow a service in an Orthodox or Conservative synagogue, but most Reform and Reconstructionist synagogues do services in English. I also highly recommend the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understandig Judaism". It's written by a rabbi, and filled with information on Jewish beliefs, history, and even some recipes. I would start at the website.

Answer 3

www.ffoz.org
I would suggest you look in your local phone book for a "Chabad House". I would strongly advise you NOT mention being Southern Baptist. Just stick to the fact you are of Jewish heritage & want to learn. The Chabadiks are phenominal teachers; very gracious & hospitable. Althought they are Ultra Orthodox, they are also warm & accepting. Just avoid the whole Jesus/Church/Christian/Baptist thing, & you'll do quite well.
While understanding Hebrew will help you, it's not mandatory.
Welcome home! I, too, am descended of German Jewish background.

Answer 4

Hi lol
why do you want to cnvrt frm chrsty to judaism?
it is mercifull,humanitarian,good...belives in the last day
belives in all prophets in old testament...
so why do you need..
by the way one of my grndftrs was jew...I study jews
books,hebrew lang,,,but not ready to cnvrt to juadism
there are other ways to worship God,,,one of them is
my religion,which is mercifull,good,...etc
I know somethings about most rlgns..
try to rethink lol.
God helps you

Answer 5

you need to pass to a e book keep or library and get some theology books. there is plenty attractiveness and lifestyle to a good style of religions. have confidence what you opt for for yet study others with the aid of fact they are fairly alluring. and learning is rarely undesirable.

Answer 6

What a FABULOUS journey you are about to undertake!

Muzzeltoff! (however it is spelled!)

I can't help you with getting in to Judaism but I would love you to see the find below!

I am excited for you!

Answer 7

call up a rabbi (try chabad). We're usually pretty chilled out. also, check out www.aish.com

Answer 8

I bet you could show up there; just don't talk about Jesus LOL