How do you prove your a Jew?

I read an article in the NY times which asks how someone knows they are a Jew.  I began to think, I know my mom and dad are both Jewish, I know all 4 of my grandparents are Jewish, I'm Jewish, and so is my brother.  Why would I need to prove myself?   I have a  strong Jewish identity and have been raised to follow the principles of Judaism.  Still, in Israel.. would I need to prove I am Jewish?  The article discusses how a women wants to marry, but cannot since there is not proof her mother is Jewish.  Her mother came went to Israel from America and raised her children who served for Israel in the army.  Israel is their home and Judaism is their religion, so why does there need to be proof?  After the presentation of formal documents, the Rabbi's were able to tell that this women was Jewish.  They made a decision in 20 minutes, where finding the evidence took close to 2 weeks.  How can one make a decision so quickly?  Why does so much needed to be proved to be seen as Jewish?

Mala's Wisdom

I was having an online conversation with my best friend from high school who happens to be one of the most opinionated people I have ever met, and believes she is right on all accounts.  (great person to argue with.. just kidding)

She asked me who I liked Hillary or Obama.  I really have no experience with either candidate, I know that I will probably vote for the one whose I feel is more favorable to Israel.  She explained to me why she likes Hillary and not Obama:

She says that Obama is interested in bridging the gap between Blacks and Jews, while Hillary is not saying she needs to bridge the gap between women and men.  Im not saying she is right by any means, but I began to think about how this ethnicity and gender factor plays a role in who will be voted for.  We never before had a Black or women democratic candidate, or any party for that matter.  I wonder, is ones ethnicity or ones gender going to lead to a nomination?  Will people be able to put that aside and assess the bigger picture?

Moses.. High?

My friend sent me an article which offered the idea that Moses could have been high on drugs when he received the Ten Commandments from God and when he saw the Burning Bush.  The author of the article makes the claim that Moses could have taken mind altering substances while on Sinai which could have caused him to have a psychedelic effect.  

The question that came to mind when I first read this was: WHAT??

Could this article mean that the accounts from Sinai which we read and study today are all false and were just imagined?  I do not believe this article is true, but decided to share it on my blog because of how far fetched I thought it to be.  I have included the article in a link below

Beliefnet.com

I decided to google Jewish Identity and came across a quiz which addresses just that. I was asked a series of 22 questions and the results are supposed to tell me what kind of Jew I am, and what I can do to improve myself as a Jew (if there is room for improvement). I had to take the quiz because of how comical this all seems to me. A 5 minute 22 question quiz can tell you what kind of Jew you are. The quiz is called, "What am I, Chopped Liver?" and can be found by typing it into the search bar.

The questions ranged from asking about my affliliation to whether or not I would care if my children married non-Jewish. I answered all truthfully and recieved feedback and results.

I am consiered to be a "Tzimmes Jew" which is defined by the website as, "Like this Sabbath-evening fruit and sweet-potato side dish, your Jewish identity is highly traditional, even as it adapts with changing times. A basic recipe is supplemented with various individualistic flourishes. Judaism plays an integral role in your life, though your identity is not defined solely by it."

I read this several times and finally thought to myself, "this makes sense!" This little blurp comparing me to sweet potatoes goes really well with how I identify myself. Before I did the quiz I thought that such a complex answer could never be constructed, but it hit the nail right on the head. My Jewish identity is highly traditional which comes from the way I was raised. Judaism plays a role in my life, but not all decisions I make are in accordance with the religion. Judaism is a part of my identity, but not the whole piece.

I would be interested to see whether these questions and this blurb can serve as an explanation of anyone else's Jewish identities.

http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=10005&surveyID=76

Looking Jewish...The "Tribe"

Every year for the high holidays I like to attend services at my Bubie's Orthodox shul, with my mom, brother, and Bubie. My mom, who grew up at the temple, loves introducing me to people she knew when she was little or friends she had growing up. Many of these people are Easten European Jews (or their children) who had come to America post 1945 and started their lives in Merrick/Bellmore, NY. So as I am am introduced to these people as Penny's daughter, many reply with the same response, "She doesnt look Jewish". What does that mean? Is it my physical features that make me look Non-Jewish? Is it because my mom has a bigger nose than me that I don't look Jewish when standing next to her?

On the other hand... I have many friends who barely associate with Judaism. When they see me wearing an Israeli Army sweatshirt or a Macabee Haifa t-shirt, my Chai and my Hadaya necklace, and my two rings; one a Jewish star, the other a quote in Hebrew, they say to me, "Heather, you are so Jewish!". To them, it is my "accessories" which make me look Jewish.

Lastly, there are many people with whom I regularly come into contact with that know nothing about me (classmates, people eating at the same resturant as me, fellow "bar goers" etc.). These are strangers who tend to look, stereotype, and place people in social groups (everyone does it). What do these people see when they look at me? I wonder if they think I am Jewish.

So... Is looking Jewish important? Should I care that fellow Jews think I don't look/look Jewish because of my apperance? Should being told that I look Jewish make me identify more as a Jew? I don't think so. Everyone is born into a religion, and as they become older they are able to decide how small/large a role it will play in their lives. To me, being Jewish goes past looks. Being Jewish comes from within. My mom always told me, "Its not whats on the outside, but whats on the inside that counts". I have been able to shape my Jewish identity by different exposures to the religion, my values, beliefs, ideas, and opinions, which have allowed me to form a meaningful connection with Judaism.

Sure, I like to wear my huge ring with the Jewish star in the middle, but with or without that ring, I'M STILL JEWISH!

The Websites...

A few weeks ago we were all assigned different websites or magazines which focused on different aspects of Judaism, not really in a way which we were used to. I visited the website jewishmayhem.com and was shocked when the opening page was a naked girl covered with an Israeli flag. In the about section, it stated that this was a website that covers all aspects of Jewish culture, outside of the mainstream. I began to think to myself, "Is this acceptable"?

I decided to move out of the box and think about what these websites and magazines meant. There are millions of Jews who all have different interests, beliefs, values, traditions etc. If a magazine is willing to address these different issues while adding a Jewish twist, who is to say they are wrong? I think that these websites/magazines are actually a way to involve Jews in a lifestyle shared by others which is written about.

Jewish Learning

Today in class we discussed different organizations whose main goals are to promote Judaism. The National Jewish Outreach program is said to "get Jews to do Jewish things". What are those Jewish things that would make someone who barely associates with the religion Jewish? Is it attending Shabbat services such as Shabbat across America. Is this one time Shabbat meal enough to catch someones attention and interest long enough for them to want to make their own Shabbat meals? It might not be, but its a good start. The promotion of things Jewish is so important to the Jewish community which is becoming less and less active. CAJE and Limmud are two organizations which focus on learning and those who have learned, to teach. The teaching of Jewish material to those with less of a background is important because even the smallest piece of knowledge we are giving to another about Judaism is helpful.

Although I have never heard of these programs before todays class, I think the intent is good. There are hundreds of thousands of Jews who simply associate with the religion by saying they are Jewish. By teaching these people something new or engaging them in a Shabbat dinner, we are associating them to the religion. I think that these organizations should try and put themselves out there more such as on facebook or myspace so that more people will know about the great programs and oppurtunities they offer.