I'm Jewish AMA

[Bobbiepin]

Just that really, brought up (relatively) orthodox if that makes a difference.

Please note, I have an opinion on the situation in the Middle East but I don't believe that Zionism is a part of Judaism and don't really want this to turn into a discussion over Israel.

Also, I can answer to my knowledge of the faith and my experiences, others may have differing understanding and wouldn't agree with my opinion.

[ThinkingCat]

Hi OP

1. In the UK do Jewish people tend to live in communities where other Jewish people live?
   According to Wikipedia the 2011 census stats showed that less than 0.4% of the GB population are Jewish. (269,233 people) 2) Do you think that is accurate?

[SoNotaWendy]

Did you marry in?
Did your brother(s) marry out?

[PandaPieForTea]

Are you observant? How do you decide which bits to follow and which not to bother with?

Do you believe in the faith side?

[AndhowcouldIeverrefuse]

Hi OP. I come from a Christian country, atheist family and am a bit of a citizen of nowhere. I often wonder what it must be like to feel you have roots and belong somewhere.

I like reading the Bible and I often wonder what it must feel like to be Jewish and know that those "stories" in the old testament are about your ancestors all those thousands of years ago. Also I used to have Jewish flatmate who invited me to the sabbath table and I found some of the rituals quite moving. Do you feel a sense of belonging going back generations and generations? Is it positive or is it more of a burden?

TIA

[Urbanbeetler]

Do you feel society is more anti-Semitic now than it was 10 years ago?

[itchyknees]

What are the cultural differences between the Jewish community and the local British one?

I grew up in north Manchester where there’s a big Jewish community and yet apart from the excellent food outlets, we never seemed to mix.

[LotusInspired]

Do you practice Family Purity?

[annandale]

My Dh converted under the Reform but later lost his faith. I came to feel that only Orthodox conversion really works as the practice is so culturally rooted in the home and family. Do you meet many converts and do you consider them to be truly Jewish?

[stellenbosch]

Do you secretly eat bacon?

Are you rich?

Are you seriously into nepotism?

[Bobbiepin]

In the UK do Jewish people tend to live in communities where other Jewish people live?

I would say most do, but out of a 'living near friends and family' requirement more than choosing not to integrate. It comes from when people immigrated during the wars and wanting to stick with people they know. Saying that, I grew up in South London where there is a very small community. North West London and Manchester have bigger communities.

Did you marry in?
Did your brother(s) marry out?

I did, but it wasn't a requirement. Just happened that the man I fell in love with is Jewish. My sister is single and DSIL married out. No brothers.

Are you observant? How do you decide which bits to follow and which not to bother with?

I would say less so now than I was. I rarely go to synagogue (shul) anymore but I keep kosher to the point where I don't eat pork or shellfish. Culturally I still identify as Jewish and I will make more of an effort with it when raising my dd.

[DesperatelySeekingSnoozing]

Do you find the not having meat and dairy at the same time difficult and do you have two sets of crockery and cutlery etc? I worked in the catering department of a Jewish care Home and absolutely loved the food

[Bobbiepin]

Do you feel a sense of belonging going back generations and generations? Is it positive or is it more of a burden?

Absolutely feel a sense of belonging. I visited Auschwitz a couple of years ago and cried for my people who died there, even though no one in my direct family died there (that I know of). I visited a shul in another country as a teenager and found huge comfort that the prayers in Hebrew were the same everywhere despite not speaking the native language.
There is also the Cohen and Levi descendants, it's interesting to meet people who are Cohanim and know that our ancestors were part of the same tribe.

Do you feel society is more anti-Semitic now than it was 10 years ago?

Yes. I am open about being Jewish but I will admit that there are times where I am scared for being so. You wouldn't know looking at me (as you wouldn't for most British Jews) but I have definitely experienced anti-Semitism.

What are the cultural differences between the Jewish community and the local British one?

It's mostly due to things like Kashrush (dietary laws) that would stop some Jewish people eating in restaurants, and the laws of Shabbat (Sabbath). Part of Judiasm is abiding by the laws and customs of the land in which you reside. There are some ultra religious communities (Hassidim) that will isolate themselves from British life but they certainly don't represent most British Jews.

[Bobbiepin]

Do you practice Family Purity?
No, I'm not that religious. I considered going to a mikvah before my wedding but I thought it was hypocritical considering I had never been before.

Do you meet many converts and do you consider them to be truly Jewish?

I only know one and yes, I consider her to be Jewish. Its a very long and difficult process to go through so I feel she "earnt" it (for want of a better word). You can't convert into Orthodoxy, they consider the faith to be a birth right.

Do you secretly eat bacon? Are you rich?
Are you seriously into nepotism?

No, no & absolutely not. Had to Google nepotism. As a teacher I hate that opportunities are given to people because of who they know rather than through a meritocratic system.

Do you find the not having meat and dairy at the same time difficult and do you have two sets of crockery and cutlery etc?

I don't have separate sets any more but did growing up. It's not really a pain, it's just a part of life. You have plates for meat/milk in the same way you have spoons for soup and wouldn't eat it with a fork. The most challenging thing was packed lunch as a child. If I wanted a chicken sandwich then I couldn't have a chocolate biscuit. I understand its an odd concept for most but when you grow up doing it, its no differerent.

[sockunicorn]

do your children go to mainstream schools?

this is extremely naive so i apologise, but when you mention anti semitic behaviour what kind of extent do you mean? I cant imagine and have never witnessed it (and have jewish friends). I can imagine obviously idiots pointing out the differences you can see in humans but how/when would anyone know you were Jewish and this come up in a negative light?

[DesperatelySeekingSnoozing]

When I worked at the care Home, we had separate everything, including ovens! I got so fat because everything was so bloody lovely. Especially the bread!

Do you wear a wig outside the house?

[Bobbiepin]

My DD is a little too young for school but when the time comes she will go to a mainstream school. DH went to a Jewish school but I don't believe in faith schools. I hate the idea of rounding us all up together and purposefully marking us out as being different but I also think its vital for people of all faiths to learn about other religions and wouldn't want my children to be deprived of that for going to a faith school. That, and I don't live in North London or Manchester so no faith schools locally, but mostly the other 2 reasons.

In terms of anti semitism, I was bullied at school, told to go back to my own country (3 generations born here) called a dirty jew. Once a bit held me up against a wall with a knife. As an adult, I've been involved with security of synagogues and understand the genuine threat to our places of worship. On high holy days we have a police presence too. I am constantly reminded by the neo Nazi community and the holocaust deniers and have seen graves in Jewish cemeteries desecrated. I wear jewellery that would identify my faith and at times I have felt the need to cover it up to stop me being outed, as such. Unfortunately, anti semitism is played down a lot and not discussed as prevalently in the media.

[VanGoghsLeftEar]

If we are born in God's image, and innocent, and pure, why must the rabbi perform a circumcision on boys soon after birth? (Forgive this heathen's ignorance)

[Bobbiepin]

Food is such a massivemy important part of our culture. It's chicken soup recipes passed down through generations (my nana's is the best) and years of heritage in a mouthful. Food also plays a huge part in observing different festivals - Rosh Hasahannah (Jewish New Year) you eat apples and honey and honey cake to symbolise a sweet new year, Channukah you eat foods fried in oil to represent the miracle of the oil in the temple burning for 8 nights etc. Plenty of Jews I know summarise almost every festival as "They tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat".

I don't wear a wig but I cover my head with a hat or scarf in synagogue or cemeteries.

[iklboo]

Which is your favourite festival? Do you do the Sabbath traditions?

[DesperatelySeekingSnoozing]

Oh the chicken soup! And the crackers! God I miss working there! Excuse my ignorance, but do you actually do on the sabbath? I understand you can't operate anything electrical or do anything considered 'work'. So you prepare meals in advance and eat them cold? Or keep in thermal pots?

[Bobbiepin]

If we are born in God's image, and innocent, and pure, why must the rabbi perform a circumcision on boys soon after birth?

Ignorance forgiven, although ignorance is not the word I would pick. We were created in G-d's image originally, but bris milah (circumscision) represents the covenant between Abraham and G-d which occurred after our image was created. The reason for doing it so soon after birth is that it's thought the nerves are not fully developed and it causes less pain. If I were to have a boy, he would be circumcised but I wouldn't be particularly hapoy about it. Some families make a big deal over it, I wouldn't want that.

[VanGoghsLeftEar]

Thank you!

[PilarTernera]

VanGogh circumcision is nothing to do with purity. It is about covenant, the relationship between Jewish people and God.

The circumcisions are not performed by rabbis. The person who does circumcisions is called a mohel and in the UK they are all doctors as well.

[Bobbiepin]

Which is your favourite festival? Do you do the Sabbath traditions?
Ooh good question. I quite like Succot. We create structures outside in which you can see the stars, and eat lots of fruit. Shavuous also requires eating dairy products so lots of cheesecake!

We are less observant of Shabbat right now but I am insistent on bring back the shabbos traditions as DD grows. I have fond memories of every Friday night with family (especially grandparents) that I want her to experience too. It's also lovely to spend Shabbat with close friends.

Shabbat is a designated rest/prayer day. You can't do anything that constitutes work, most rules revolve around not creating a spark, not handling money or abstaining from work - some are about not harvesting fields etc. It's a time to spend reflecting on your week, to spend quality time with family and relax. There is 4 prayer times on Saturdays instead of the usual 3. Most food is prepared on Friday and eaten cold, although lots of observant Jews have special burners on hobs that can be left on a very low heat to keep things warm. Most Shabbat lunches consist of bagels, smoked salmon, egg & onion and herring.

[Auntieaunt]

Do you celebrate any festivities with Xmas?

I was moving and my Jewish friend asked if she could have my (real) baby Christmas tree. She said she had never had one and loved the smell. Another one of my American Jewish friend's came over around Xmas time and loved it - her college friends once put on a whole nativity for her as she never got to part take as a child.