My parents (especially my mother) thought it important to raise me as a member of “the human religion.” The mantra: “I am not a this or a that – I am a human” rings as a distant memory in my ears when recalling that fundamental message. I think my father, a child prodigy violinist raised…
Read More »In their own words
My Conservative conversion didn’t grant ‘born Jewish privilege’
There are so many nuances to the concerns that patrilineal Jews have. It is VITAL that we listen to them and not get stuck in our own opinion. After receiving four different messages on this topic I merged them into a single letter for my Mixed and Matched column. I have a Jewish father…
Read More »4 Things that Make a Synagogue Uncomfortable for Me
In a conversation with a young person who is Asian and Jewish (yes, halachically Jewish, as in has a Jewish mother) I asked, “Are you comfortable in a synagogue?” The answer was, no, so I asked why. The answer: 1. I didn’t get much Jewish education so I don’t really know what’s going on…
Read More »Pain makes it hard to listen to the views of others
It can be hard to hear another person when the words in your head are drowning out their voice. Everyone deserves to be heard out. If someone else’s experience is being blotted out by your own pain you may need to be heard out before you can listen to that person. Try to sort out…
Read More »What my Mom said about Christmas
My mom and I are Jewish, my dad is Catholic. Growing up we were members of a synagogue and I went to Hebrew school. When I got close to my bat mitzvah it suddenly hit me, We have a Christmas tree! I went to my parents and said, “We have to stop having a tree….
Read More »Growing Up Interfaith
Growing Up Interfaith First Person Stories | Current Findings | Best Practices What is it like to grow up in an interfaith family? For the first time we are asking young adults, “What was that like for you?” At this program adults raised in interfaith families will talk about: Taking charge of their Jewish identity…
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