I mean he was a piece of shit and was hitlers favorite composer but I still find his music beautiful.

(I apologize if this post is offensive in any way, my friends)

So I am Jewish by my mother and am also half black. Now, I have no black/african identity whatsoever despite my parents being together and am all Jewish in terms of my identity. I observe the holidays, learn them, am currently in the process of learning Hebrew, and just actually made some traditional Ashkenazi cuisine before I posted this (my grandparents are Ashkenazi and passed on the traditions). Now since my father’s side of the family is Christian, I was given the belief of Jesus and the NT very early on. I’ve had some kind of a spiritual encounter with him as well (again, not trying to proselytise whatsoever.) I believe these things, but also believe Judaism, minus the still waiting for messiah part. Now I’m not trying to be a big boy cosplay messianic schlep who is not Jewish and plays dress-up, but am afraid that I’ll end up being seen like this. I’ve spoken and been invited to various Yom HaShoah events, been the member of multiple Jewish clubs before, and even plan to be a massive helpful supporter of the Jeiwsh community. My great-grandparents escaped a pogrom and my great grandfather made a company and a life for himself here in America. I try to honor their memory and even plan to make a biopic when I study to become a filmmaker down the road. I’m just always worried that people will see me as appropriating culture.

Am I still Jewish, or am I a cultural appropriating asshole?

Good evening group. I was raised in a Christian home, but as I grew up I was gradually leaning towards atheism (which I'm now), however, lately I've been feeling a kind of "need" to understand more religion in general. Can't say if that it's some kind of "religious rediscover in course" or if it's only pure curiosity. Even though I feel that I have to look outside my bubble, see and understand more. Even as a atheist, reading about religion in general was always a topic I always liked (I'm not one of those who think that it's stupid to believe in something that I don't think really exists). Since that's not necessarily a new topic for me, I can say that at least I know which way i would be more inclined to go. I don't see myself following a Muslim faith, or budist, or xintoist (I forgot to mention that even though I was born in Brazil I live in Japan since I was 14 - I'm now 44), however, Christian and Jewish faith seems to me, wit my limited knowledge, more suitable.

So I have a question. How a Jewish community would receive someone interested in learning the faith, even though that person not having any Jewish background? I understand that in Japan learning about Jewish faith it's a little bit harder than in my home country, or any other western country.

I'm not sure if I'm being clear, or explaining correctly what I'm trying to say, so my apologies for anything.

I understand that this might sound weird. I'm not even sure if this is the right subreddit for the question. I understand there has been a rise of antisemitism lately and I understand from history Christians have been a big source of that. For that I am truly sorry. I can't change what our ancestors have done in the past, present, and future. But I want to help in anyway I can. I understand this is a space for Jews, but I simply don't know where to go to ask and I apologize for my ignorance. I do care and if you're skeptical, if you become cynical of me I understand and I don't blame y'all one bit, but I thought I would at least ask.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/indigenous-leaders-rally-in-jerusalem-to-affirm-historical-jewish-ties-to-the-land

It’s heartening to see this.

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rk211fcebjx#autoplay

There's a petition with nearly 15,000 signatures asking Trader Joe's to stop carrying Israeli products that will be submitted to them on Monday. I've heard rumors that this is why the Israeli Feta hasn't been on shelves lately... I'm quite upset as I buy their bamba for my kids on a weekly basis and we just love their stores. Things like this really make me feel like the world is closing in on us. I hope it doesn't go through... but if you shop there and notice the Israeli items are gone, this is why.

If anyone wants to try to counteract this, people are encouraging supporters to load up on Israeli products from their stores this weekend (before Monday) and go on their website and submit a message about it that way.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Davis_(American_football)

I am honestly shocked. I know Jewish people can have a variety of looks due to the diaspora but to be honest, he's the most "waspy" looking Jewish person I've ever seen lol.

Hi. I was raised in a reform jewish household. Although I was raised that way, my family had more egalitarian conservative values. My mom was an only child and her father(my grandfather) passed away. We have moved to an entirely different city and would like for my mother and I to join an Egalitarian Synagogue near our home. Although I'm gay, reform judaism just never felt right to me. It felt like having one foot out the door and one foot in. No offense. So my question is how do egalitarian jews view gay people and will my mom and I need to convert? even though we're very jewish.

Is this only due to the fact that humans have free will and sometimes commit acts of evil? Why hasn’t G-d intervened to protect Jews from antisemitism as he did in other instances of the Torah? Is this suffering because he gives the most challenges to those who can handle it best?

I’m aware chosen people doesn’t mean better but there are more expectations of Jews compared to other groups. Shouldn’t they be rewarded in a just universe?

If you celebrate both Christmas & Hanukkah in your home and you have children, how are you doing presents? Thanks! ❤️

He’s a comedian and he’s just so funny. His special Know Your audience is so good. I love the how he uses a lot of Yiddish in his comedy and It’s so funny the way he says goyim, the way he puts the emphasis on the O.

Also love how he includes the non Jews in his sets

This is the link to his comedy special

https://youtu.be/iPF3GkKuPVc?si=maiMnaFmxC1bH4Ws

Hello! Throwaway account for reasons, just need to empty some thoughts and talk about things, if that's okay.

I appreciate this probably gets asked a lot, but I have always preferred peoples own experiences and opinion, and its always just nice to hear others' direct advice and opinions. If this must be deleted for spam I completely understand.

To get into it, I have recently felt (the last 2-3 months) a complete change in my thinking about the world, my life and place in it and so on. I have never been religious or part of a ritual community, and never really felt any strong connection to one, but I have always maintained that regardless of that line of thinking, there has to be and must be an entity or creator that is responsible for everything that we know. I understand the science that explains so much, but at the same time I've believed that it is a creator that put these things in motion, for us to be here in the way we are. To me this only makes sense because it's deliberate.

Having maintained that as my status quo for so long, I shouldn't be surprised I suppose that over the last few months, I have begun questioning what I believe, and what I want to believe. I suppose part of it is that I've always had an interest in history, particularly the middle-east and more-so the levant area, probably for the last 5-10 years. Learning the cultures, geographies and what have you wasn't uncommon, but for some reason lately I have arrived at learning a bit more about Judaism, Israel, the culture and the people much more than I have any other, I am utterly fascinated.

Gradually I have found myself understanding, even enjoying the more I discover and learn about Judaism, and now I find myself at this crossroad where my belief that there is an entity/creator responsible for the world, but simply going along with everything else, is now challenged by the fact that all along I may have just been in denial about the fact that I may actually, completely and wholly, believe in *the* God, the only God there is.

Everything I learn and discover about this fascinating and wonderful community of people and the culture, how it enables a person to be a better version of themselves by channelling God through them and empowering them to be morally just. So much of it resonates with me to a point where, I had to make this post, because I caught myself trying to learn bits of Hebrew, even trying to pray despite most likely doing it wrong.

I suppose I am asking for advice to help get some clairty, should I continue the route of learning I'm on for several months to a year, and then see if I want to get serious and possibly starting the steps convert? I am aware the process is long, but I am not the kind of person to rush to something without being completely sure, but I have never, ever felt this strongly about anything remotely related to religion or associated cultural practices in my life, 99% it has barely been a thought until the last few months and I feel something so strange in my gut about this, its very hard to explain. Unfortunately I don't have a locally accessible synagogue or Rabbi to talk to, not without extensive travel.

Please forgive me for any mistakes or possible offensive remarks or statements I may have made in this, I am still learning so much and trying to absorb what I can, I did grow up in a Christian school so the 'foundations' of what I know/remember might be a bit skewed or odd. I have the best intentions to respect Judaism and do not wish to offend anyone with my lack of understanding, I just wish to learn.

Thank you for any wisdom you may provide!

Did anyone else grow up with this? It was the go-to for me, but family from NY told me it was weird and I always thought about that.

Edit: I was initially wrong, it was in fact jelly donuts, but I just didn't like jelly donuts as a kid. Prior text read:

We specifically did donut holes but normal donuts were acceptable, and were the choice fried treat.

Chabad .org it asks: "Why We Light Two (or More) Shabatt Candles?"

However; it only really says that some people light "more" according to the number of children. Is this the only reason one may light more than two?

As a single man who has always lit two, I sometimes feel an urge to light more than this, for various reasons in my life, but I've never considered doing it on Shabbos specifically.

If I light more than two, would I double this number for Havdalah?

Out of curiosity, I'm also wondering how many of you participate in the Havdalah lighting & extinguishing, and do you use a twisted candle?

Thank you, good Sabbath.

Justapedia article for Josie Rudolph, who's the first woman of European and Jewish descent to born in Alaska after the purchase of the territory from Russia and who had survived Nazi Germany. In fact, it was inspired by a post someone made on this subreddit about her.

What’s a word or very short phrase that is educational about what Judaism is to you? Example: “Judaism is food”, “Judaism is an Ethnoreligion”, etc.

I was walking in the park with my wife and 3-month-old child. I wear a Magen david and a Bring them home necklace. Some person I have never seen before gave me a dirty look. Later on my walk he passed by again and said to me "You might as well wear an armband" clearly referring to the Nazi armband. He looked really pleased with himself, but I didnt immediately register it so I just walked past him.

He then doubled back to get back in front and cross paths with me again, took out his camera and snapped a picture of e and my family at which point I said "Go fuck yourself Jackass"

What in your estimation is the best way to deal with a situation like this at the moment. I had many thoughts go through my head of how to handle it. I'm curious what you would do or think a good response or action would be. Keep in mind I'm with my daughter a wife, so I don't want violence to break out with her there. Though I am perfectly capable of defending myself if someone were to initiate, I prefer that not to be the avenue it goes down.

Thoghts?

Ps it's not unlikely I run into this asshat again

Edit: One thought I had is start yellling that he is a racist in spanish. Im Latin American. I feel like getting yelled at as a racist in spanish around a bunch of latin americans would be pretty embarassing for someone like that.

I’m aware of increments of 18 but what is average cash gift for a family of three. Thank you.

Here in Canada, we remember are war dead in November 11 because the shooting stopped 1918-11-11 11:00 for that war that "ended all wars" but I also think of the civilian casualties elsewhere and I absolutely think about that mass genocide that would "never again" occur. Respectfully understand that if you have a high school education and have ever paid attention to world news at all, the irony you perceive in my previous sentence is intended.

So I try to think about the irony in light of a wish we do better and a question of how we can. This thought transcends race snd culture. The fact that specific ethnic groups such as the Jewish people repeatedly have been subjected pogroms and outright genocide is there snd its important to address it but the general fact of genocide in general is there too. Unfortunately the Milgram experiment , as unethical as that experiment was, is always on mind. (Experiment manipulated people to act closer to Holocaust perpetrators)

Scariest half baked thoughts accessible to anyone with a high school education. Perhaps a person with a PHD in history would correct misconceptions. -- Genocides occurred on mass before the Holocaust. Genocides on mass are still occurring and by genocide, I am referring to intentional systematic murder like in Uganda, Cambodia, Rwanda and others. -- Most people served their country in combat. The "greatest generation" that saved us, was "greatest" partially because of where people lived. (So, for example, members of some families ended up on opposing sides) -- After liberating the world for the Nazis, people existed who participated in race violence in the USA. Members if the KKK fought the Nazis. -- Countries that defeated the Nazis rejected refugees from the Halocaust and didn't interfere prior to war -- members of many occupied populations apparently enthusiastically collaborated with the Nazis -- I don't know how to comprehend what happened in Ukraine. The Soviets used famine to cause genocide. Some Ukrainians fought the Soviets because of this BUT they sllied with the Nazis and committed genocide themselves both in their country and in neighboring countries? -- the Japanese committed atrocities on civilians too, including war crimes. I don't know how much milder they were than the Nszis? Certainly they were vile -- We killed civilians to fight a war against civilians. I have trouble mentally processing war at all. Kill or be killed

White supremacists blame Jews for mass immigration of Muslims, who don't value western ideals (and are responsible for probably the majority of urban anti semitic attacks). Where did the white supremacists get the idea that Jews planned the so-called destruction of Europe through importing hateful conservative Muslims? What is the history behind this?