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.

I'm the same! Friends are so thoughtful about "Oh no, I shouldn't eat my ham sandwich round you" and I don't mind. I'd rather they didn't eat it off my plates but in their own homes or out its not a problem! As for gambling, dreidle is just gambling for kids!

You should so go up! Learn it all, and continue your Cohen-ism. Pass it on to your children and let it live on!!

So if you’re a Cohn, as opposed to Cohen, is that still a Cohen?

So if you’re a Cohn, as opposed to Cohen, is that still a Cohen?

I think its possible that you could be a Cohen (not all Cohanim have Cohen as a surname any more) but I don't think it's a guarentee. Not sure about that though. Maybe @gorgonlondon could answer that better.

Is it possible to stop being Jewish?

I suppose this follows the race/religion question.

The Cohn I know is very Observant, wears something under his shirt and (excuse my ignorance) the skull cap.

(He reminds me of my first boyfriend. I absolutely fancy the pants off him and turn into a jibbery fool when we speak, so I suspect he thinks I’m a stammery spitting oddity, sadly.)

Bobbie the marker is only on the Y chromosome so only gets passed down from father to son - it's really interesting because the genetics thus matches up with the Jewish rules about it.

It also means they can trace people's lineage really accurately as each boy gets his Y chromosome unchanged from his father (aside from mutations)

some more info here:
www.familytreedna.com/learn/jewish-dna-testing/cohen-match-badge/

Thank you @Bobbiepin for answering my questions My mother was not brought up observant and her immediate family downplayed their Judaism (post war - it sounds like they were very fearful) so I have a whole heritage I know almost nothing about. By contrast I have cousins who emigrated and fully embrace the customs, speak Yiddish, attend the synagogue and so on. Technically I'm Jewish but I have no knowledge and no background. I feel very sad about it.

As for the Cohn/Cohen question - the spelling of the name can vary a lot, but I don't think that there is necessarily that much of an overlap between actual Cohens and the name Cohn/Kohn/Cohen however you spell it.

Wikipedia has this to say:
However, by no means are all Jews with these surnames kohanim, nor do all kohanim have one of these surnames. Additionally, some "Cohen"-type surnames are considered stronger indications of the status than others. "Cohen" is one of the hardest to substantiate due to its sheer commonality.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohen#Cohen_(and_its_variations)_as_a_surname

Bobbie.... I'm a special care baby nurse. The baby was quite poorly and in the hospital for a few months. It was a privilege because I knew they would feel very much out of their comfort zone. I often wonder how he is now, he would be nearly 20!

Gorgon, thank you. I’m finding this all very interesting.

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 a secular Jew. Culturally Jewish but only observe key festivals in a very light touch way.

Without exception every Jewish person I know believes passionately in the existence of the state of Israel and would describe themselves as Zionist. The vast majority feel that the issues in the Palestinian Territories are terrible but that Israel is defending their borders. They feel that if Hamas were not in power and The Likud (left Wing) party were in power it would be much better. Nobody I know has any issue at all with Arab people and remember that Israel has a large Israeli Arab community and that within Israel itself Jews and Arabs live and work closely together.

Many people have concerns about the situation in the West Bank / Gaza but still support Israel 90% of the time because they’re conscious that with the rising anti Semitism in Europe moving there might be the only option.

If you go to tel aviv, English and Hebrew, which are the main languages are fast being matched by French due to huge numbers of French Jewish families leaving France. Estate agent adverts are in French, menus are often in French, even the price lists in the nail bars are in French.

Bobbiepin I wonder if you could shed some light on something for me! I deliver road safety education in schools and this is based on my
observations of the Jewish communities in London where I live (I mention this as I don't know if it's perhaps a London thing).

Every Jewish school I visit will have onsite security. Yet, although security is very tight at the school, I often see very young Jewish children who cross roads and walk the streets without an adult. Much younger than non-Jewish communities would normally allow.

So on one hand independence at a young age is encouraged, yet there is a big risk to safety (much bigger than the risk of something potentially happening to them at school). I don't suppose you can shed any light on this?! It has always baffled me!

Is it possible to stop being Jewish

No, being Jewish is a birth right. You can choose to not be observant, to not name yourself as Jewish etc. There are plenty of atheist Jews. However your lineage is the same.

@wongthong The thing under the shirt is called a tzizit. It's a vest with tassels with a number of knots (there is great debate on the number of knots and how they should be tied). It's purpose is to be a constant reminder of the commandments of the Torah and is a mitzvah to wear it. Your other comment really made me smile, I would like to say I'm sure he doesn't think you're an idiot but by the sounds of things....

@roominthesky people hiding their faith and heritage after the war was not uncommon I'm afraid and some are still doing it now. If you would like to learn more (and can show your heritage) seriously contact a rabbi at a local synagogue. They would be thrilled to help you along in your learning journey.

@slippermaiden most certainly a mitzvah then! You do a wonderful job. If they were as religious as I believe, that young man may already be married with his own children!

Such an interesting thread - thank you

@cakedup that's an interesting one. I'm not sure about the whole answer but I would imagine that schools are viewed as soft targets with the potential for huge numbers of casualties which make them a higher risk, rather than individual children. Many Orthodox families have lots of children who look out for one another so they may seem to be gaining independence younger than others but I don't think that fully answers your question. Maybe someone else could shed more light here.

@careerontrack very well put, thank you.

Thanks Bobbiepin - my favourite AMA thread to date

(On the children walking alone I think it partly be a big family thing. We are not jewish but have quite a few children and my youngest two were the youngest in the school to walk to school alone. I see it as a benefit to them not a detriment. In fact in some countries in Europe children walk to school alone at a younger age than the UK - the risk of child snatching (most parents' biggest worry) is actually really small.)

@Xenia I'm also NE England and a while back I had to do some research using the microfiche files of some local newspapers from the 1930s.

With the huge benefit of hindsight & obviously the knowledge of what happened not long after, the attitude towards Jewish people settling here both in the Newspaper articles and the letters page really bothered me, particularly because I've always believed the NE to be a welcoming place.

The narrative was startlingly similar to the anti-immigrant stance so often featured in the DM - same shitty rhetoric, different target.

If you ever go to the archives in Newcastle it's a really interesting but also scary read. It really brings home how the same strategies have been used for decades to 'other' people for want if a better expression.

A particular highlight was a letter from a guy (can't remember the year but definitely pre 1939) disgusted at the libellous things Jewish people in the UK were saying about Hitler.

Sorry to derail your thread op - I live fairly close to a small orthodox Jewish community but I don't actually know anybody who is Jewish. I'm finding your thread really interesting reading.

Thank you @decanter and @outcomethewolves. I wasn't sure about doing one but people have asked some really interesting questions.

(I hope we are not going off topic too much as it is a very good thread. In the NE my granny (Catholic) was certainly very helpful and loving and kind to jewish people (and everyone) in the 1930s but I agree some attitudes were awful. We have newspaper cuttings my grandfather saved of his stance that women doctors should not get local jobs as men needed to feed families in the early 1930s after the massive depression, children in bare feet, absolute poverty, leading up to the Jarrow march. May be my granny was more tolerant as she took at ship to Indian in 1921 for a job looking after children and then was widowed a year after marriage back here so had to work so obviously was a feminist too. I think if we can all bring up our children to be kind to others even if you then choose to debate with them over the existence of any gods or if women should obey men or whatever that tends to be the way to ensure we can all live in harmony together).

Always been fascinated by Judaism, went to a very religious school so learnt about it from hearsay; threads like these are great!

Thank you @Bobbiepin - much appreciated. I have plenty of proof so will do

I have a strange question but I've always been curious!
I lived in an area with a large community of Hasidic Jews. Without exception all of the women had completely flawless make up free skin. So flawless it looked like porcelain, or airbrushed skin. There were women with seven or eight children , but complexions better than I've seen anywhere in my life, not a blemish , not a line, pore, NOTHING! Is this related to diet/ lifestyle or is there a miraculous secret Jewish beauty product that is as closely guarded as the chicken soup recipe?!

Op if you could answer @Monapaloma's question that would be great! waits patiently for secret to beautiful skin.

Mona and wolves disclaimer: not hassidic

Two things I would suggest, actually three:

They have a lot of children starting very young so even with seven or eight kids they could be under 30.

They don't drink or smoke.

They don't go out in the sun much.

I on the other hand am a terribly bad Jew and thus at the age of nearly 40 I have only two children, a permanently full recycling bin and an excellent tan