I was brought up to believe my family was Ashkenazic. I didn’t know my grandmother at all, but recently I came across old papers that seem to show she had a Sephardi background and considered herself Sephardi. I now sense a certain ambiguity around my ancestry. Also I wonder why my parents ignored her altogether in calling themselves pure Ashkenazi. They’re dead so I can’t ask them, but it all feels strange and disconcerting... Has anyone experienced anything similar..?

Sarit Hadad sings ' I'm Wishing You ' Lyrics here: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/%D7%9E%D7...g-you.html

I have all of her music !

Great 2 minute video of what can happen when we are not considering all the possibilities.

The Complete Jewish Bible
https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo...-Rashi.htm

Please do notice the show-hide button within the page. The show button is commentary by Rashi
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Sefaria: a Living Library of Jewish Texts Online can be found at the link below

https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Tanakh

i want my land back

Hi everyone,

I joined this forum five months ago by the name of John. I already introduced myself and I happily shared my story about my willingness to convert to Judaism. Last  August, I chose the name of Jacob Asafu as my Jewish name. I can't say that my experience is successful as I have no Jewish community around. And I am still learning...

I enjoy reading your posts which make me get a sense of belonging to a Jewish community.

May God bless you all.

Hosea 6:2

He will revive us from the two days, on the third day He will set us up, and we will live before Him.

Rashi's comments:

Hello again,

I am not sure if I had properly introduced myself in the old forums, but some might have read my "feeling drawn to Judaism" thread. And this is how I found that board. I searched for exactly that phrase, landed here and found some very helpful information as well as a very kind group of forum members.

I am not jewish but I feel drawn to Judaism. I was raised without a religious affiliation, but got insights into Christianity by various activities, school and and groups, but it never felt right for me and I opted out. The attraction towards Judaism has always been there, in the back of my mind, but since I (falsely) learned that you cannot convert to Judaism, I never thought about becoming jewish myself. I led a life without religion and just sometimes wondered if there are others where my belief system (in lack of a better word) might fit in. When I was travelling to Israel last September, I used the opportunity to learn more (or, better phrased, started learning) about the religion and culture. A lot of things klicked for me, there were many congruencies and I completely felt "at home" somehow. 
Encouraged by the forum (  ) I started contacting different synagogues when I returned home and attended services at a reform one which welcomed me warmly. After that, I felt a bit overwhelmed and took some time for more or less quiet consideration if this path feels right. I read more. I am very thankful for the recommendations I got here - I enjoy reading "A code of jewish ethics" currently and it is definitely a wonderful book that impacts me profoundly. I attend political and cultural events and continue learning. The synagogue offered me to join their bi-weekly adult education sessions and I am looking forward to attending. Right now, I am struggling a bit to integrate the fixed dates into my somewhat packed work life and I honestly feel a bit worried that I might not be able to attend as regularly as I would like to. But I think that going whenever I can fit it in is better than not going at all.

So far, I feel that getting more and more acquainted with Judaism has become an integral part of my life. It really does not feel like a chore, on the contrary, it feels so important yet at the same time so enjoyable for me. No matter where this path leads to, I feel that this learning is worth it, even if I should end up not wishing to convert in the end.

So, that's my backstory. 

Other than becoming religious, I currently enjoy learning Hebrew, am a hobbyist game-developer and like to make music and sound effects and draw/paint. I live with about 30 plants that I love and do travel by pet- and housesitting. I love reading and enjoy science, arts and the outdoors. I am working in research (Human Computer Interaction, focusing on eye tracking in VR) and have too many interests to fit into one life, but on the positive side, I never get bored. My main joy and ambition in life is to bring joy to others by creating, be it games, my lectures or music. 

Thank you for reading!

Aways back I was teaching an adult education class on living a Jewish life in the modern world. When I asked who would say they are a Jewish American, everyone raised their hands. When I asked who would say they are an American Jew, everyone raised their hands. When I asked those in attendance which they were, if they had to choose either or, there was some initial confusion as to the difference. 

Once I explained how I was using the terms it lead to some interesting conversation.

I realize that we have folks from all around the globe who are... or will be.... members of the forum so feel free to substitute some other country, but here is the question.


Are you a Jewish American or an American Jew?

As another secular year heads for the exit and a new secular year waits impatiently at the entrance, I wish you all a happy new year.