I'm a multiracial Jewish woman (my mother's family is Jewish), and have had trouble finding a congregations where I'm not being encouraged to 'convert just in case' and other such nonsense. Tell me some of us don't subscribe to this foolishness.
2006-11-21 08:02:52 · 14 answers · asked by anita.revolution 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
...a congregation...oops.
2006-11-21 08:04:31 · update #1
I agree with many of you in that according to the halachah, if one's mother is Jewish the one is Jewish. Therefore I am Jewish, and since my personal religious beliefs are most compatible with the Jewish faith I have no problem identifying as a Jew. The problem is other Jews accepting my choice. As for why I've been approached with the prospect of conversion, I suspect that because I wasn't raised in a typically Jewish household some of the Jews I know have reservations about my yiddishkeit. I just wanted some feedback from someone else who can't see me.
And though I don't really know what you were getting at with your response, Cork, rest assured that I am aware that the Jewish people originated in a part of the world in which the people are not 'white'. Ithink you missed the point a bit, but thank you for your time.
2006-11-21 09:48:20 · update #2
Mikhal, what would I have to do to emigrate? My mother is a German and has no papers to declare her Jewish identity. My grandparents are survivors from Russia and Germany and don't have papers either.
2006-11-21 09:51:48 · update #3
Reconstructionism...I think Rabbi Kaplan was really on to something there. I think I will check it out. I live in Houston and there is a Reconstructionist Havurah here as well as a Sephardic congregation. I gravitate a bit more toward Conservativism, so Reconstructionism might be right up my alley.
The rabbis that encouraged me to convert were actually Reform rabbis. They said that because my Jewish education was limited and that my experience wasn't that of a typical Jewish person, I wasn't a Jew according to Reform principles. However, if my father had been Jewish (even though that wouldn't technically make me Jewish) but I'd been raised Jewish they would acknowledge me as such. Is it really that complicated.
2006-11-21 10:05:25 · update #4
For those of you who have responded with the best information you have and with as little of your own personal bias as possible, I thank you. However, there are some of you who come across as snide and, though some won't do this, I am going to take this opportunity to call you on it. My question was posed genuinely and in the spirit of true curiosity, and I get the distinct impression that a few of you (not all, not even most) have not responded in kind.
Cork, I've told you.
Jewish girl, I think that's your nickname, as for your comment about the conversion I thank you for the information, but you could have saved the garbage about 'black, white, etc.'. I wasn't trying to 'play the race card' so kill that noise. I don't do well with attitude. Feel free to remove your post anytime. As for being sorry about how Judaism 'works', don't be. That's not how Judaism works; that's how emigration to Israel works. Where would any nation be without it's daily dose of bureaucracy?
2006-11-21 16:16:17 · update #5
If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish, end of story. There's no just in case.
Look for a Reconstructionist synagogue, or one that's not affiliated with any of the denominations. Reform might work too. Also try attending in a city or town that tends to be socially/politically liberal. A university town could be a good bet.
Plenty of us have no use for any sort of racism. Keep looking.
2006-11-21 08:22:08 · answer #1 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does happen when white Jews do not accept Jews of multiracial background even those who are white like them. I once knew this Jewish man that disowned his son because his son married a white non Jewish woman(the father himself is white). So the father disowns the son and disowned the 2 grandchildren. I asked him why he does this?. He said it is not right in the eyes of God. Also my mom knew this black guy who was in love with this white Jewish woman. Eventually, they came together and decided that they would get married. The family disowned her and never showed up to the wedding. They will not even claim her. They say she is a stigma on the family.
2006-11-21 08:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by naomijoan0615 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My congregation has black and Latino Jews. All are treated the same. I do not know where you live, but, see if there is a Sephardic synagogue in your area. You will find all kinds of people here---there will be Jews from the Mediterranean and the Mid-east, as well as all over. I go to one, and I think it is great!
Sephardic Jews (Spanish and from the Mediterranean) and Mizrahi Jews (Persian and Mid-eastern) are great people. I find I mix with them so much better than the Ashkenazi Jews (European).
2006-11-21 08:17:55 · answer #3 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry this has been your experience. I'm really surprised to find out it has been the case for you. But I doubt if their statements are racial. I think they probably just want to make sure you follow all the laws of Judaism, and so they think you should "convert just in case." I imagine if you explain that your mother is Jewish, that they wouldn't persist.
2006-11-21 08:14:48 · answer #4 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't have papers or something else to show that you are really jewish, they are going to tell you to go through a conversion, no matter what colour you are - white, black, or even purple. i'm sorry, but thats just the way judaism works.
2006-11-21 11:48:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your mother is jewish ,you dont have to convert.as you are jewish through your mother.also it does not matter what the colour of you skin is.here in israel we have black jews from ethopia,my husband is from iran and he has a dark complextion.dont let this get you down ,if your mom has papers proving her jewishness.you have nothing to fear.with those papers you are entitled to come and live in israel.good luck,from mikhal in israel.
2006-11-21 08:12:19 · answer #6 · answered by mikhal k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if your mothers family is Jewish then I dont see the problem.
Why would they ask you to convert?
2006-11-21 08:10:13 · answer #7 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak for any other congregation but we believe that being Jewish is not restricted to any one skin color.
2006-11-21 08:11:30 · answer #8 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't think converting just in case would really do much good, you would have to believe it, so no that really doesn't make much since
2006-11-21 08:14:36 · answer #9 · answered by pepsiolic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know for sure but i do know that there are Jews of other racial groups , i know of the black Jews
2006-11-21 08:14:46 · answer #10 · answered by Asad Hassan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋