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.

Thank you @slippermaiden. When you say you looked after the baby, in what capacity? (if you don't mind me asking). In any instance, anyone doing you a mitzvah (a good deed) is to be thanked and respected.

My grandmother used to switch lights on for a neighbour who was Jewish in the 1930s (in NE England where there are also a fair number of orthodox jews). I think compared to some countries and at least in the last 100 years the British have not been too bad at welcoming jews (and others) here.

I think compared to some countries and at least in the last 100 years the British have not been too bad at welcoming jews (and others) here

In your opinion. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Thanks for starting this thread, OP, it is really interesting.

Years ago, someone traced our family tree back to the early 1800s, when our family name was Cohen-xxx. My grandfather (now long dead) said that our ancestors were somehow connected to European royalty, and although I’d always put this down to a romanticisation of the past, maybe he was right. Either way, I’d be fascinated to find out more.

British isn't a race either. It's a nationality. Being Jewish isn't a religious thing for me- I'm an atheist. I married out. Still thoroughly Jewish

Op if you don't mind I'll come back and answer some questions later too. Good thread

@pavlovianlunge the Cohen were the priests and were held in high esteem so maybe that's what he meant. It would be very interesting to look at though.

@gorgonlondon I suppose you're right. What would you define as race? I'm white, wouls that do? Feel free to answer some too, everyone has different opinions and experiences. Would be great to get your take too.

I once facilitated a Jewish delegation of business people from America.

They were the kindest people I've ever met. I made sure they had kosher catering and appropriate space to pray. When they left I found an enormous bottle of perfume on my desk. I was blown away by their gratitude.

I love your community spirit and that you actively look out for each other. I wish my religion was the same.

I can tell if someone is Jewish just by looking at them, though it's a bit more difficult if they are only part Jewish. Do you have the same ability and recognise random strangers as Jews when you are out and about?

romanova what a bizarre claim! How would you know if you'd got it right if they were random strangers?

Fwiw I look stereotypically Jewish (spit of Amy Winehouse) but that doesn't mean I think I can always 'spot a Jew'!

@beverlygoldberg (love the name btw) that's a lovely story. They must have felt very welcome and looked after. Community is everything. When any major life event occurs, you always look to the community. When someone dies, there are the traditional 7 days of mourning for the immediate family and the community rallies round to provide meals as they aren't meant to cook for themselves. There are websites set up to make the whole job of organising it easier.

@romanova that is quite bizzare. The religious community are normally easy to identify by what they wear but otherwise, no. My mother, my sister and I are all blonde. We don't look stereotypically Jewish. People are often surprised that I'm Jewish.

@Bobbiepin thank you, that’s really interesting. At some point, the family dropped Cohen and kept the xxx part of the name, which is very unusual in the UK. As I understand it, the person who traced the family tree got to a point (around 1820) where records were held at a synagogue in central London, and could only be accessed by an official there. This thread has got me thinking seriously about picking up the search.

Regarding the Cohen, is there an online source of information? I’m happy to look on Wikipedia or similar, but I’m conscious that these things aren’t always reliable.

Thanks again.

Oh definitely worth looking up. I find family histories so interesting, especially if there are stories that go along with it. I visited Poland a few years back, there is a section that fell under Polish and Austrain rule. It was where my great grandmother was born and felt amazing going back to her roots. I would get in touch with the synagogue and see where you can go from there.

As for information about Cohanim, have a look at this website

www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/762109/jewish/Raise-Your-Hand-If-Youre-A-Kohen.htm

Thanks, I’ll have a read.

What percentage of Jews outside Israel do you think agree with the occupation of Palestine/Zionism? Are there more people who are in favour of it or less?

Do you see similarities in prejudice and the treatment of Muslims in this day as what happened with the Jews?

Bobbiepin don't want to say too much on the thread but I am actually going to Poland this summer to try to find where my grandfather was born! I would love to know more about your trip. It will be my first time there. It's just a quick trip but hoping to do more in the future.

Could I message you privately about that?

I am also a Cohen, or rather the daughter of two Cohen families - my dad is a Cohen and so was my (maternal) grandfather.

What percentage of Jews outside Israel do you think agree with the occupation of Palestine/Zionism? Are there more people who are in favour of it or less?

I'm afraid I can't speak for other people on that matter. It's a political issue not a religious one (although there are aspects where they intertwine). There are pro-Israel rallies that are always well populated so I guess it's a supported matter.

Do you see similarities in prejudice and the treatment of Muslims in this day as what happened with the Jews?

Absolutely. To some extent I understand the fear of Islam due to the people who distort the Koran and commit heinous acts in Islam's name though this is absolutely not the teaching of Islam and seeing innocent people take the reaction to that is upsetting. Simply, it's people of both faiths who are targeted for their religion who have done nothing wrong. Whatever faith people follow, this is not ok.

@gorgonlondon absolutely, I'd love to chat to you about it. I'm also the daughter of a Cohen (what a shame we can't carry the honour). My DH is a Levi though, so any sons I may have fall into the Levi tribe despite Cohan blood.

Pavlovian the Kohanim - it descends through the male line only - are supposed to be the descendants of Aaron - Moses's brother.

They are a priestly caste and they have extra rules - not allowed to be in the same room as a dead body, etc.

Cohen graves have a different symbol on them - the 'Mr Spock' symbol rather than a Star of David.

My family find it quite funny as we are not an observant bunch in the slightest, and yet all of my uncles, cousins, etc. etc. are Cohens and have to follow these rules at funerals and so on.

the fascinating thing is they did some genetic research and you can actually tell who is a Cohen (most of the time) by looking at their DNA. There is something called a 'Cohen haplotype' which is a genetic marker and corresponds to people who are Cohens almost all of the time.

There is a caste with very similar rules among Jews from (IIRC) Ethiopia - they are known as Cohens and follows same rules - and they have exactly the same genetic marker even though, to look at, they look completely Ethiopian!

Thanks so much Bobbie I've sent you a private message

Yes, it is absolutely a shame that Cohens can't be female. Only girls in my family so two lines of Cohens stretching back to Moses' time come to a screeching halt!

I do have a son but his father is not even Jewish.

Ooh following

@Bobbiepin do you drink?

@gorgonlondon its amusing that he'd likely have the Cohen genetic marker but wouldn't be considered a Cohen. My mind boggles to think our histories go back that far.

do you drink?

Yes, Jews have no problem with alcohol. There are numerous occasions where wine is required and has its own blessing. On Simchat Torah (the festival in which we finish reading the Torah and start again) it is customary to get a little tipsy. Some rabbis take this religious duty very seriously

Thank you for your answer, this thread is very interesting!

As a Jew I find it funny that people sometimes expect me to be offended/morally concerned by gambling or alcohol, or even pigs!

I have never experienced antisemitism, but I do find it interesting, given my often very left-wing and vehemently secular friends, to be living as a 'religious' person (whatever that means) in a secular world - that seems to be the thing that makes me out in some way from mainstream society, not my Jewishness.

My family are Cohens - it's all very odd. The Orthodox synagogue would not marry my parents because my mother's mother had an undocumented conversion and my dad is a Cohen, which is how come we ended up in a more egalitarian community. I kept my maiden name when I married, so I remain a Cohen and so various odd things apply, like if I am asked to read a blessing for the Torah (scrolls) reading, I can only do the first one. I haven't yet plucked up the courage to go up to the Ark with the other Cohens on the High Holy Days in the egalitarian service!