Seems like the Jews here have a real problem with someone who knows the Goodness of Christ and feels guilty for turning her back on the true Son of God. It was a horrible error and I feel deep in her soul she always knew this and only converted to satisfy a husband who obviously didn't respect HER religion.
I'm sorry Jews but you missed out. If you had been properly introduced to the enlightened Jesus of Nazareth through the parables of the New Testament you would see the light and feel horribly guilty too for giving up the most beautiful religion around.
Stop forving people to stay Jewish for their kids, just so you can have more followers.
No Christian in their right mind would EVER give up such a beautiful being as Christ. That is why people have a problem with your hateful exclusionist religion because You reject all that is GOOD.
How can you reject the New Testament after reading it. Is it that Jesus didn't believe money was the most important thing in life?
sam fields - 9 years ago
Rabbi Perkins says that converts to Judaism can't quit.
Where have I heard that before?
Oh yes. ISIS and the Mafia.
With her Quaker roots it would not surprise me to learn she has been turned off to Judaism by the surge in NeoZionist racist militarism
Julietta Wilder - 9 years ago
I was brought up very Conservative traditionally Jewish, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. I brought up my son Jewish, my husband is Jewish, but I never felt truly spiritual in the synagogue. The first time I went to Quaker meeting, just out of curiosity during a college parents' weekend, I realized this was "me" -- I was home! I had never met a Quaker, only knew about them from "Friendly Persuasion." I never looked back -- 20 years and I am so happy being part of this lovely spiritual community. I am not a Christian, I still go to Jewish family events, including seders. Many Quakers do not consider themselves Christian. Many do. It's a personal thing. Unprogrammed Quakerism is a spiritual path, not a religion. There are actually "Jewish Friends" throughout the country who combine the spirituality of Quakerism with the cultural practices of Judaism. God doesn't care. Kissing a mezuzah when you enter a house doesn't make you a better person. You need to look inward and find your own path, because if you are happy you probably will make those around you happy. I felt a lot of guilt at first, because my family suffered so much just because they were Jewish. Then a wise Friend said, "wouldn't your parents want you to be happy?" and I was happy, and the guilt was gone. You will be a spiritual seeker all your life, and that's good! Don't stay in one place, especially if you're unhappy. Open your heart and you will know what to do, and those who love you will support you.
Kathy - 9 years ago
I am a stepmother to now-grown children who were reared by an atheist Jewish biological mother even as I was the stepmother who celebrated any and all holidays to their delight. As one now has children and lacks religious training to impart, I have tried to share with my grandchildren (with parental blessings) the marvelous heritage that their mother was denied. I was reared Protestant but believe the Christian religion made a radical error and misinterpreted what the alleged "foundation" of the Christian faith intended by his teachings. I - in my elder years - am charting a path for my biological and steps that respects multiple faith traditions. I am now a heretic in multiple faith traditions. But my grandchildren - biological and step - will be exposed through this grandmother to the extraordinary Universe of science and faith - and celebratory practices of all the faiths practiced by our forebears. As I said, heretic in multiple faith traditions.
Laura - 9 years ago
I agree with Meg, above. Most of the people who have responded to you have assumed that you would give up your Jewish identity by attending Quaker meetings. You do not say this. You are Jewish, and Jewish law will always define you as Jewish. But you can be a Jew who attends Quaker meetings! I am certain you won't be the first. As you explore Quaker meetings, perhaps you will have some desire to explore parallel forms of Jewish worship as you find how you best connect to G-d. Many Jews stray from Jewish religion or Jewish identity. That doesn't make you not Jewish. It might make you less connected to Judaism- but it sounds like you aren't highly connected to begin with- and perhaps, in some way, it will circle back and increase your connection.
Sarah - 9 years ago
I don't understand how you can expect to have it both ways. I'm not sure how you attend services with your husband and host Jewish holidays with joy but worship as a Quaker. Why did you agree to convert if it wasn't for good? Mission accomplished? How so? Your children may be grown but you are still the reason they are Jewish and the guiding force behind their entire belief system. What does that mean for the family if all of a sudden you decide to abandon those beliefs to return to something else? If my mother did that I would feel like I was duped. I think you need to really fully digest what this means for your entire family and the impact your changing religions will have to the mission you think you've accomplished before making any changes. I disagree with people converting for the sake of their family if it is not truly what they believe in. It's a sham and raising your children in that religion becomes meaningless if you don't even believe in it yourself. Mission NOT accomplished.
Shoshana Wolf - 9 years ago
I converted to Judaism at age 27. Raised in a strict Catholic family I never believed in the tenets of the church, even as a small child. It was a disappointment to my entire family that even at age 6 I would be sent to speak to the family priest when I spoke against some of the beliefs in catechism. I married a man with custody of his 4 children and who was not affiliated with any religion and had never given his children a religious education of any kind. I tried to do so by returning to the church for their sake but found I could not be a hypocrite and teach the children beliefs I did not adhere to. When their mother joined a Christian church more cult like than anything else we felt we had to do something to balance things out as the children were being taught to be racist and to hate other religions rather than to be tolerate and respectful. For years I had read about many different religions and told my husband I felt more drawn to Judaism than any other. He took it upon himself to visit a Rabbi and arrange for conversion classes and to sign the children up for religious school on Sundays. Twenty years later I learned his commitment was to just drive his ex crazy while mine was to sincerely join a religion I could find solace and faith in. It was his loss. The children are grown, married to people who are not religious and have dropped away from religion - which I don't blame them after all the fights between their biological parents, including court action when their mother petitioned the court for a restraining order to keep the children out of our temple (she lost). The point I want to make is I converted for a sincere desire to be a Jew, to adhere to the laws of Moses and practice Judaism as a Jew. I have never regretted it and have found the peace and faith I was searching for since childhood. This lady should take the time to re-study Judaism from the point of an individual, not as a favor to her family. She may just discover exactly what she is looking for. I watched my step-children be pulled by their biological parents and the guilt they felt when they would tell their mother they did not want to participate in her church. Even with grown children the differences could create a wedge between her and her children she does not intend. Not because her children would reject her but because they would be placed in a difficult position of how to react to their mothers religion. Do they celebrate Christmas with her or stay away? Do they celebrate Easter? How could they celebrate with her and not feel out of place? She would put them in a difficult situation and I don't believe it is one she has given thought to or would want them to be in.
Meg - 9 years ago
Although the title of the article is "don't want to be jewish," I did not pick up from the letter a desire to not be Jewish. I picked up a desire to worship G-d in a particular style. I would suggest trying out the Quaker meeting as a Jew before even thinking about trying to end being Jewish. You ask what it would mean for "my Judaism." That sounds like ownership to me, despite your protestation that you never "really" "felt Jewish." If we accept the premise that conversion is forever as a mater of Jewish law...then I guess it turns out that how you do feel and have felt is actually just what it feels like to be a Jew by choice, at least in your case. And you seem poised to find out what it feels like to be a Jew in a Quaker meeting. Go for it! A born Jew would do so if they felt so moved and never question whether it changed their status as a Jew...you have the same right yourself. I feel certain that G-d will love you and your worship in any case. It's the prayerful intention that matters anyhow.
gene - 9 years ago
The best of all the religions and non-religions overlap quite a bit. Have yo and your spouse discussed your feelings? You've fulfilled your commitments. I don't see why you and hubby can't enjoy both religions, unless his commitment to Judaism doesn't permit a parttime affiliation.
The kind of values shared seems the more important issue to me.
Seems like the Jews here have a real problem with someone who knows the Goodness of Christ and feels guilty for turning her back on the true Son of God. It was a horrible error and I feel deep in her soul she always knew this and only converted to satisfy a husband who obviously didn't respect HER religion.
I'm sorry Jews but you missed out. If you had been properly introduced to the enlightened Jesus of Nazareth through the parables of the New Testament you would see the light and feel horribly guilty too for giving up the most beautiful religion around.
Stop forving people to stay Jewish for their kids, just so you can have more followers.
No Christian in their right mind would EVER give up such a beautiful being as Christ. That is why people have a problem with your hateful exclusionist religion because You reject all that is GOOD.
How can you reject the New Testament after reading it. Is it that Jesus didn't believe money was the most important thing in life?
Rabbi Perkins says that converts to Judaism can't quit.
Where have I heard that before?
Oh yes. ISIS and the Mafia.
With her Quaker roots it would not surprise me to learn she has been turned off to Judaism by the surge in NeoZionist racist militarism
I was brought up very Conservative traditionally Jewish, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. I brought up my son Jewish, my husband is Jewish, but I never felt truly spiritual in the synagogue. The first time I went to Quaker meeting, just out of curiosity during a college parents' weekend, I realized this was "me" -- I was home! I had never met a Quaker, only knew about them from "Friendly Persuasion." I never looked back -- 20 years and I am so happy being part of this lovely spiritual community. I am not a Christian, I still go to Jewish family events, including seders. Many Quakers do not consider themselves Christian. Many do. It's a personal thing. Unprogrammed Quakerism is a spiritual path, not a religion. There are actually "Jewish Friends" throughout the country who combine the spirituality of Quakerism with the cultural practices of Judaism. God doesn't care. Kissing a mezuzah when you enter a house doesn't make you a better person. You need to look inward and find your own path, because if you are happy you probably will make those around you happy. I felt a lot of guilt at first, because my family suffered so much just because they were Jewish. Then a wise Friend said, "wouldn't your parents want you to be happy?" and I was happy, and the guilt was gone. You will be a spiritual seeker all your life, and that's good! Don't stay in one place, especially if you're unhappy. Open your heart and you will know what to do, and those who love you will support you.
I am a stepmother to now-grown children who were reared by an atheist Jewish biological mother even as I was the stepmother who celebrated any and all holidays to their delight. As one now has children and lacks religious training to impart, I have tried to share with my grandchildren (with parental blessings) the marvelous heritage that their mother was denied. I was reared Protestant but believe the Christian religion made a radical error and misinterpreted what the alleged "foundation" of the Christian faith intended by his teachings. I - in my elder years - am charting a path for my biological and steps that respects multiple faith traditions. I am now a heretic in multiple faith traditions. But my grandchildren - biological and step - will be exposed through this grandmother to the extraordinary Universe of science and faith - and celebratory practices of all the faiths practiced by our forebears. As I said, heretic in multiple faith traditions.
I agree with Meg, above. Most of the people who have responded to you have assumed that you would give up your Jewish identity by attending Quaker meetings. You do not say this. You are Jewish, and Jewish law will always define you as Jewish. But you can be a Jew who attends Quaker meetings! I am certain you won't be the first. As you explore Quaker meetings, perhaps you will have some desire to explore parallel forms of Jewish worship as you find how you best connect to G-d. Many Jews stray from Jewish religion or Jewish identity. That doesn't make you not Jewish. It might make you less connected to Judaism- but it sounds like you aren't highly connected to begin with- and perhaps, in some way, it will circle back and increase your connection.
I don't understand how you can expect to have it both ways. I'm not sure how you attend services with your husband and host Jewish holidays with joy but worship as a Quaker. Why did you agree to convert if it wasn't for good? Mission accomplished? How so? Your children may be grown but you are still the reason they are Jewish and the guiding force behind their entire belief system. What does that mean for the family if all of a sudden you decide to abandon those beliefs to return to something else? If my mother did that I would feel like I was duped. I think you need to really fully digest what this means for your entire family and the impact your changing religions will have to the mission you think you've accomplished before making any changes. I disagree with people converting for the sake of their family if it is not truly what they believe in. It's a sham and raising your children in that religion becomes meaningless if you don't even believe in it yourself. Mission NOT accomplished.
I converted to Judaism at age 27. Raised in a strict Catholic family I never believed in the tenets of the church, even as a small child. It was a disappointment to my entire family that even at age 6 I would be sent to speak to the family priest when I spoke against some of the beliefs in catechism. I married a man with custody of his 4 children and who was not affiliated with any religion and had never given his children a religious education of any kind. I tried to do so by returning to the church for their sake but found I could not be a hypocrite and teach the children beliefs I did not adhere to. When their mother joined a Christian church more cult like than anything else we felt we had to do something to balance things out as the children were being taught to be racist and to hate other religions rather than to be tolerate and respectful. For years I had read about many different religions and told my husband I felt more drawn to Judaism than any other. He took it upon himself to visit a Rabbi and arrange for conversion classes and to sign the children up for religious school on Sundays. Twenty years later I learned his commitment was to just drive his ex crazy while mine was to sincerely join a religion I could find solace and faith in. It was his loss. The children are grown, married to people who are not religious and have dropped away from religion - which I don't blame them after all the fights between their biological parents, including court action when their mother petitioned the court for a restraining order to keep the children out of our temple (she lost). The point I want to make is I converted for a sincere desire to be a Jew, to adhere to the laws of Moses and practice Judaism as a Jew. I have never regretted it and have found the peace and faith I was searching for since childhood. This lady should take the time to re-study Judaism from the point of an individual, not as a favor to her family. She may just discover exactly what she is looking for. I watched my step-children be pulled by their biological parents and the guilt they felt when they would tell their mother they did not want to participate in her church. Even with grown children the differences could create a wedge between her and her children she does not intend. Not because her children would reject her but because they would be placed in a difficult position of how to react to their mothers religion. Do they celebrate Christmas with her or stay away? Do they celebrate Easter? How could they celebrate with her and not feel out of place? She would put them in a difficult situation and I don't believe it is one she has given thought to or would want them to be in.
Although the title of the article is "don't want to be jewish," I did not pick up from the letter a desire to not be Jewish. I picked up a desire to worship G-d in a particular style. I would suggest trying out the Quaker meeting as a Jew before even thinking about trying to end being Jewish. You ask what it would mean for "my Judaism." That sounds like ownership to me, despite your protestation that you never "really" "felt Jewish." If we accept the premise that conversion is forever as a mater of Jewish law...then I guess it turns out that how you do feel and have felt is actually just what it feels like to be a Jew by choice, at least in your case. And you seem poised to find out what it feels like to be a Jew in a Quaker meeting. Go for it! A born Jew would do so if they felt so moved and never question whether it changed their status as a Jew...you have the same right yourself. I feel certain that G-d will love you and your worship in any case. It's the prayerful intention that matters anyhow.
The best of all the religions and non-religions overlap quite a bit. Have yo and your spouse discussed your feelings? You've fulfilled your commitments. I don't see why you and hubby can't enjoy both religions, unless his commitment to Judaism doesn't permit a parttime affiliation.
The kind of values shared seems the more important issue to me.