I am always unsettled by the genetic definition of "being Jewish."
Was it my genes that made me modestly acceptable to my prospective in-laws or the fact that I went to Hebrew School and knew how to make Matzah ball soup? It must have been the former because they knew nothing about my "Jewishness" except that no one would doubt my heritage.
We're friendly with a widow of a certain age who is now living with a widower of a similar age. She's Jewish, he's not. That's how it was, at least, until she gave him a gift of Ancestry for his birthday. Much to both of their surprises, he's half Jewish. His father was a traveling salesman. He also discovered several other half Jewish half siblings. (Tough to do the math.) All from Westen Pa., his dad's territory.
I am always unsettled by the genetic definition of "being Jewish."
Was it my genes that made me modestly acceptable to my prospective in-laws or the fact that I went to Hebrew School and knew how to make Matzah ball soup? It must have been the former because they knew nothing about my "Jewishness" except that no one would doubt my heritage.
We're friendly with a widow of a certain age who is now living with a widower of a similar age. She's Jewish, he's not. That's how it was, at least, until she gave him a gift of Ancestry for his birthday. Much to both of their surprises, he's half Jewish. His father was a traveling salesman. He also discovered several other half Jewish half siblings. (Tough to do the math.) All from Westen Pa., his dad's territory.
And anyway, if you ever forget you are a Jew a Goy will remind you.
Another great fascinating and somewhat disturbing column. Like “speak British, think Yiddish”
Its ironic that the Nazis used the same criterion for being a Jews as the Orthodox: if your mother was a Jew...you are in!
Well sort of with the Orthodox.
I enjoyed reading this colorful essay.