| Discussion Posts |
| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post - Poll ] | 4:57 pm on 10.24.1999 |
| Is there a place in Judaism for a woman married to a catholic and raising her children in their fathers religion? ----------
al
ip: 209.156.136.51
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 2:11 am on 10.25.1999 |
| When did you decide you want to be Jewish? AFter married with children? EBP
ip: 207.223.177.87
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| J | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 12:57 pm on 10.25.1999 |
Al:
I'm not sure whether you are saying you are non-Jewish and wish to convert to Judaism, or are a Jew in the situation you describe, and wonder if there is a place for you in the organized Jewish community. Could you please clarify?
ip: 209.47.22.10
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 1:24 pm on 10.25.1999 |
| I am a non-jew who after years of self bible study and researching the history of christianity can no longer follow the christian path. I am married to a catholic with four children who are being raised in his faith. My husband is supportive of my search for the truth and knew when we married that I was not a catholic. Even if I am not accepted by the Jewish community I would like a place to worship. Is there a place for me here? ----------
al
ip: 209.156.34.195
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 1:40 pm on 10.25.1999 |
| Being accepted and converting are two different things. There are many communities and synagogues that welcome non-Jews to come in and pray with them if they show this interest. At our Orthodox shul we get non-Jewish visitors from time to time, sometiems offical visits by say a christian group observing for educational reasons or unofficial visits too from people like you. Not all synagogues are this friendly though even though they should be. Call up a couple of rabbis. Our sages teach us that someone like yourself deserves respect and can achieve life in heaven and blessings. THere's a special place for the FOJ (friend of the Jews). I have a funny and touching story about a FOJ my Rabbi told us. If you have any specific questions, just write em! EBP
ip: 140.90.9.94
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 6:03 pm on 10.25.1999 |
| I have called the local rabbi four times with no reply. Perhaps he is misconstruing my intentions, not knowing I am already married and assuming I have a Jewish love interest. I would love to hear your amusing story about the FOJ. Questions, questions, questions. Since I am approaching this from the academic direction and not the cultural one most of my questions are cultural. ----------
al
ip: 209.156.20.46
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 9:05 pm on 10.25.1999 |
| Call a different rabbi.
>most of my questions are cultural
So, ask already! EBP
ip: 207.223.178.249
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 2:34 pm on 10.26.1999 |
Oh yeah the story!
I forgot.So this catholic woman comes to the Rabbi and starts studying and says she wants to convert. She spends a few years studying but can't reach any kind of acceptable view of Jesus for both her and the Rabbi and he tells her she can't convert. So, she asks him to write a letter- an official document proclaiming her officially as a 'friend of the jews'. He did this. It made her feel good. EBP
ip: 140.90.9.94
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| Stephen | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 2:48 pm on 10.26.1999 |
Here is a book you might find interesting:
"The Year Mom Got Religion," by Lee Meyerhoff Hendler
ip: 204.181.201.88
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 6:34 pm on 10.28.1999 |
| I am currently reading "Conversion to Judaism" by Lawrence Epstein that answers alot of questions. However, I would like to know when would be appropriate to send holiday greeting cards to my professional associates who are Jews? Christmas is out. Any suggestions on how cards for the other holidays will be received? Is this in poor taste? Also, FOJ may be the way for me to go. Any insights on how they are looked upon? ----------
al
ip: 207.115.63.25
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 7:13 pm on 10.28.1999 |
| I personally could live without holiday cards from professional aquaintances. I think it's tacky. I leave business to business and then I go home. But that's just me. I wonder why someone else would wish another person a happy holiday that they don't celebrate. Birthday cards are cool. People dig birthday cards. Stick to Rosh Hashannah and *maybe* Passover if you must do something.
Too many Jews resent the lumping in of channukkah with christmas whether or not it's a valid reason. You gotta make sure they celebrate this stuff though. I dunno. It's fraught with problems. I avoid it. FOJs We love you! Although sometimes you all can be a little weird. Sometimes people get REALLY INTO IT! "Boy you Jews sure are neat!"
What am I supposed to say?
"Yeah. We're teriffic..I guess." There are many types of FOJs. Some of my best friends are FOJs!!! any specific questions about Jewish stuff, AL? read the stuff I wrote above about general acceptance. EBP
ip: 140.90.9.94
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 2:54 am on 10.29.1999 |
Nothing like your own fan club. Rah! Rah!
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al
ip: 207.115.63.15
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| Shmuel | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 8:32 pm on 10.31.1999 |
I don't see how a rabbi could hold your life situation against you, considering you found Judaism AFTER you got married and had children. If the particular rabbi you have been trying to contact is ignoring you, believe me you're not alone. I've spoken to many people who had similar experiences with uncooperative rabbis. Search for one who is willing to help you out in your search for truth.
ip: 130.113.128.224
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| Shmuel | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 8:35 pm on 10.31.1999 |
Allison, also, if you haven't heard of the site before, visit www.convert.org
ip: 130.113.128.224
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 3:22 am on 11.2.1999 |
| Thank you Shmuel. I have that one bookmarked and converted (sorry) to hardcopy for my husband to read. I will contact the other synagogue and inquire into reading material. Unfortunately, there are only two in town, so I will step gently. I have purchased an english/hebrew siddur and although I have never seen anything, the writing is quite beautiful and engrossing. ----------
al
ip: 207.115.48.68
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| Allison | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 4:13 am on 11.11.1999 |
Christina, I was not raised Catholic and came into this marriage as a non denominational christian who did not believe in the trinity. I did not advertise my beliefs. As you can imagine, my first mass was something else and feeling uncomfortable with the graven image thing. How good for you that you have someone who will share this discovery process with you. The problems I have are trying to incorporate, to a comfortable level, the customs of my husbands family and the direction that I want to follow. I have no supporting in-law family nor jewish friends to emulate. Total conversion seems to be unavailable due to my children not being converted also. Which is something that is preferrable but is not probable. My husbands family is very catholic. Thankfully he is supportive and I donot attend mass. I have received various responses from friends. Mostly good and I dread telling my sister and her family because they are fundementalists from the other direction. Feeling alittle boxed in. But the more I read the more I know I am doing the right thing and going in the way I am supposed to. He will provide me with the support needed. Now I need the courage to contact the other synagogue.
ip: 207.115.63.22
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| kevin jacob | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 6:04 pm on 11.28.1999 |
| Please advice - I want to know how to convert, what's invloved? What do I read? What is the "creed"of Judaisim. I am a "Chrsitian" for 28 years, graduate of Theology, preacher, and 11 years missions-man in the Middle east. Today. I have come to a place in my soul which directs me to the true roots of faith in the creator and saviour of mankind. This is why I write to you. Please guide me. Sholom.
ip: 194.170.2.7
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| David Barak | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 3:15 am on 11.29.1999 |
| Kevin, Judaism isn't really big on "creeds" the way that Islam and Christianity are - we're generally more concerned with proper actions than proper beliefs. That said, the closest thing to a creed that we have is probably Maimonides 13 ikarim (principles of faith).
I can't remember exactly how they're formulated at this hour (and I'm not at home, so I can't just look them up...), but they're printed in just about every traditional Siddur (prayerbook). If you're interested in some of the practical details, I run a web site for conversion information (I'm a convert myself), which is http://www.freeyellow.com/members5/masoret/index.html Good luck, and be well,
David Barak
ip: 209.50.225.45
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| J | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 9:53 pm on 11.29.1999 |
Kevin:
Your post did not make it clear, but if you still consider Jesus to be the saviour of mankind then you will likely find it impossible to convert to Judaism; certainly no Rabbi will assist you.
ip: 24.66.126.35
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| Jenah | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 11:34 pm on 11.8.2000 |
Hi, I have a question. I was raised Catholic, but I never really practice my religion. I met my boyfriend about 7 months ago and he is Jewish and has explained to me his reasons for wanting to raise his children Jewish. We have discussed conversion, but he is about as Jewish as I am Catholic and doesn't really know that much about it. I don't have any problem with converting for myself or for my children, should I marry him. I appreciate any information you would be able to provide me with about converting. My question is that I don't have any question in my mind about converting, but my boyfriend thinks that he will be taking something away from me should I convert. How can I clarify my reasons for wanting to convert to make him understand that I would not have a problem converting my religion should we marry?? I have been straight forward and almost blunt at times. I just want to reassure him that I would convert if we were to be married. I don't know what else to tell him. Please help me.
Thank you.
Jennifer
ip: 152.163.213.176
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| EBP2 | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 1:36 pm on 11.9.2000 |
| My advice to both of you is to start learning. Buy books and start going to classes. If you take the lead on this, this will be an illustration of your interest. I can provide you with a book list. You both should learn more before making any big decisions. EBP
ip: 12.17.21.129
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| Jenah | [ Profile - Edit Post ] | 2:41 am on 11.13.2000 |
I would appreciate any information you have for me. I already bought Dr. Epstein's Guidebook to start. And I read the pamphlet that JOI offers online as well. I asked my boyfriend which branch of judaism he identifies with as well. It is Reform. Thank you for responding so expediently.
Jennifer
ip: 64.12.105.31
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