Comments on: Who’s a Jew? I’m a Jew.

By: Ogarth A. Drummond

Ogarth A. Drummond — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:39:53 +0000

In response to Sheree R. Curry’s comment, Who is a jew, I remember when I was very young, a teenager in high school,
this was my first exposure to Judaism. There was a black
Jewish meeting place in the Bronx,N.Y. I went downtown in
Manhattan to some big jewish Organization, and told them
that I wanted to be a part of it.

The lady that I spoke with was very nice to me, she told me
that we helped some people build up one in the Bronx. I
really wanted to delve more in the Manhattan organization,
the building was more splendid and so forth. I thought that
the expansion for the knowledge that I sought could be
broadened in this one in Manhatatan.

Suddenly I realized that there was a seperation, it seemed
like the “Equal But Seperate” clause to me. But the lady did
not make me feel like an outcast or unwanted amongst Judaism.

Yet there was another time when I was much younger. As I
climbed the stairs and purchased a token to get on the train
I saw a Ad. with a nice looking little black boy clad in a
white shirt and black tie. The AD said, “You don’t have to
be Jewish to eat Levy’s Bread.

But for some reason even as a little boy, I questioned that
statement, as if I was supposed to say to myself, wait a
minute! who told that person that I could’nt be jewish ?

Years later as I began to study my history, I found out that
my thoughts as a child unbeknown, had credence. How irony.

lots of love Ogarth.

By: Ecstasy

Ecstasy — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:41:05 +0000

I love your site

By: laina

laina — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:45:05 +0000

why are there so few Jews of Color within the religion??
–seeker of Truth

By: Maia

Maia — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:04:01 +0000

Although I support converts who are dedicated, I agree with the author that some people do not take their conversion as seriously as they should. For instance, Anthony referring to Judaism or Jewish culture as “Jewism” disturbs me.

I am secular Jew and think of my “Jewishness” as my ethnicity, my ancestry, my history, and my culture (where religious sensibilities may be placed). I don’t think converts should be surprised when they are not embraced wholeheartedly as “Jews.” I think of Jews just as Italians, Poles, or Brazilians. My ancestors and close relatives (grandparents) have faced horrible persecution and violence due to their ethnicity and culture, something much different than what other groups may have experienced. I do not attempt to claim a stake in any other group’s experience, whether it is African Americans or white Americans. I can offer only sympathy, not empathy. As a secular Zionist, I do not place much importance on the religious aspect of my identity, so when I meet converts, I am often curious/intrigued on why they wanted to convert to such an exclusive community. Converts should understand what type of community they are joining (ethnic, cultural, and religious–often NON-religious) and expect a certain confusion concerning their conversion.

By: Joel Eisenberg

Joel Eisenberg — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:27:13 +0000

Hi Lauren:

I live in Philly.

By: KosherOreo

KosherOreo — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:49:46 +0000

Lauren, where are you located?

By: lauren

lauren — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:22:17 +0000

Hello! Where can I find a mixed-ethnicity congregation? Thanks!

By: shelly

shelly — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:12:24 +0000

One of the most amazing born jews that I met is a young man from from New York named Joshua Nelson, who is black. He has the most wonderful voice I’ve heard in years. The most beautiful woman I ever saw/met was a gal who was born Jewish from Cochin, India, who is black. I was born Jewish,grew up mainstream orthodox, with white blonde hair and blue eyes, and am often asked if I converted, even now at 60. Stupidity, however is not limited to Jews. Yesterday someone I had never seen before (in a dept store) asked if I liked her choices and I said I thought the colors were very good for her. Her next comment was “Well, they’d look good on an Irish lady like yourself”!! Even those of us who are born Jewish are not always a good “fit” in the particular community or synagogue we are in, and fortunately in todays world we do have the opportunity to look around and find a synagogue and community in which we are comfortable, and where we can participate. The synagogue that I belong to has many converts who participate in every aspect from torah reading to religious education. At this time there is only one black family.They have been welcomed and seem very comfortable and I’m sure any others would receive the same reception. I wish you a long happy life as part of our family, and only ask that remember that all families have dysfunctional members. As it is also almost Rosh Hashanah, I’d also like to take this time to wish you a happy healthy year and may all the good things that you ever wish for yourself be yours.

By: shelly

shelly — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 01:51:04 +0000

One of the most amazing born Jews that I have met is

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:49:31 +0000

Reading this is just a scene of my problem. My great great grandfather was a Jew and after many years of studying and reading about Jewism I have finally decided that is what I want to be, a Jew, but it is very difficult to integrate into Jewism. Why?
I’m am now 63 years of age,and I think that at this age my decision is a mature decision. I have no doubt of my resolve, but its very difficult to integrate to Jewism in Panama,Republic of Panama.
AM