14 Comments
User's avatar
William Farrar's avatar

Being a Jew is unique. It is the only identity based on a tradition, and self identification (except that the state of Israel won't accept it unless one's mother was a Jew) Orthodox Jews don't really believe in conversion either, they simply humored Sammie Davis Jr.

Jew is no a religion, it is not a race, and unlike Arab it is not a native language, it is an identity conferred on one born to a Jewish mother,not a father, In the end it is an ethnic identity of choice.

My great great grandmom was a German Jew by the name of Bena Schaum,by Rabbincal law her daughter was a Jew,how her father was a Catholic and I have no idea how she was raised, she married a Scots Irish and their children, my grandmother was raised Presbyterian. her daughter was baptized Presbyterian as was her daughters son (me).

I guess I lost my Jewness. Can I claim Jewness because my matrilineal descent is to a Jew?

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

I'm going to take this under consideration. Someone will get back to you. Your call is very important.

Expand full comment
William Farrar's avatar

LOL

Expand full comment
How We Faced the Horsemen's avatar

Loved reading your "journey". One of my closest friends, someone my mom's age, is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah in May on her 87th birthday. She's been preparing for 2 yrs. Her daughter is a cantor, and will be part of it, and I am invited. I can't wait to attend. She was secular for almost all her life, until the last 2 years when she met a young rabbi, (I adore him and his family) and they opened a new synagogue where I live. I have performed there). He is leading his congregation rightly and I say this as a lapsed Catholic (I even got a papal blessing after visiting the Vatican), Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, full gospel and now somewhat centered in 12 Step Recovery and on and on and the beat goes on. I mostly align with St Francis of Assisi now and Lois W, and that is just the way I have matured and matriculated through my spiritual journey. My son would love it if I came over to the EASTERN religions with him, but I just can't, but I am so happy for HIM! I am happy for ANYONE who pays attention to their spiritual state. By the way, have your seen Between Two Temples yet?

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

I can find no PM, madam. Can we try johnmendelssohn@gmail.com, please?

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

Between Two Temples, madam? Anything like the sublime Between Two Ferns? And what of Ms. Kris Handgen's contact details? :-)

Expand full comment
How We Faced the Horsemen's avatar

i wrote ya…ya didn’t read it!! Check yer pm’s.

Expand full comment
How We Faced the Horsemen's avatar

Sure. I will paste the private messages sent to you via Substack's private messaging, but if you can't access my msgs on Substack, you may want to check into that. Give me til later in the day. Family needs come first these days...I know you understand.

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

I know nothing of Substack PMs, madam. I’ve never received or sent one.

Expand full comment
How We Faced the Horsemen's avatar

Check email.

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

Nothing to check.

Expand full comment
How We Faced the Horsemen's avatar

I sent an email to your gmail.

Expand full comment
Anna Chen's avatar

Monkees joke Arf!!!

Expand full comment
John Mendelssohn's avatar

It was the best I could do on the spur of the moment.

Expand full comment