The intermarriage party http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/the-intermarriage-party/ You know you’ve been in this business (Jewish journalism) too long when ... the rest of the country is taking in Joe Biden’s tragic/inspiring story of losing his first wife and a baby daughter in a car crash, then managing to press ahead with his political career and raise his other children – but the only family detail you care about is that one of his sons married into a Jewish family. And if you think that’s bad, here’s what flashed through my head next: Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton’s only child is seriously involved with a Jewish guy. One of Al Gore’s daughters is married to a Schiff One of Nancy Pelosi’s daughters is married to a Jewish guy. Harry Reid married a Jewish woman (they both eventually converted to Mormonism – read more here). Howard Dean is married to a Jewish woman – and lights the menorah. For those keeping score, that’s the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, the top Democrat in the Senate, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, the most recent Democratic president and first lady, the most recent Democratic vice president, and the current vice presidential candidate. All we’re missing is the One, but to be fair the Obama children haven’t even reached Bat Mitzvah age – give ‘em time (until then, be happy with the news that Michelle Obama has a cousin who’s a rabbi). Back to Biden… he played up his Jewish connection Tuesday, during a town hall in South Florida packed with Jewish seniors: “Look, my son married – and matter of fact, her, uh – my son married into the Berger family,” he said, referring to his son Beau Biden’s marriage to the former Hallie Berger. “We’re going to be mishpokhe before this all is over, I promise you.” In general, I’m not sure whether that’s the best crowd for boasting about the whole intermarriage thing (though I have a hunch that many in the audience would be more comfortable with a Biden marrying in than, say, an Obama). I’d be especially reticent during this campaign, given the Internet track record of the anti-Obama forces. Forget the Muslim stuff, I can see the new conspiratorial e-mail: Stop the Democratic plot to destroy the Jews with intermarriage. Every time a Democrat wins, another Jewish family loses. And with those two precious Obama girls, this year it’s likely to cost us two good Jewish boys. Of course, for Jewish paranoids – I’m sure there are only a few of them out there, but they all seem to have my e-mail address – it’s a tough choice: Do you prefer a party whose goyim want to marry us or convert us? en-us aeden@jta.org Copyright 2008 2008-09-04T;17:50:32-05:00 Comment by tiredncranky1@hotmail.com Huh?  I am not sure if I don’t get this because I’m Canadian, the product of an inter-faith marriage, from a town in the Canadian Arctic where there was only one other Jewish family or because I married a Christian.  Our children all have Hebrew names, our eldest has studied and lived in Israel, married a lovely Jewish girl and we are blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, the oldest who is in private Hebrew day school.  They are back in Canada and are very Orthodox in their faith practice.  Our youngest sons take interest in Judaism and are very vocal in defense of Israel and will quickly correct those making anti-semitic remarks.  The other family—one son married “outside” and one daughter left her husband.  I have some friends who are ---- well I don’t quite know what they are.  They are goyim, yet they keep Shabbat and kosher, subscribe to several Jewish newsletters, donate to Jewish charities and have done volunteer work in Israel.  I know another young man who is likely more Torah observant than most rabbis.  He is very sincere and made his decision to convert after much study.  He has been meeting with Rabbis all over the country for over five years.  It is easier to see a Member of Parliament (our equivalent of a Senator) and get into the Prime Minister’s office than it is to convert.  My husband agrees to the dietary laws out of respect for my heritage and simply because they are healthier choices.  You may find that all these intermarriages are hiding closet Jews - because conversion is a difficult path.  My experience with most “born again” Christians has been A) Of course they try to convert you - they believe its in YOUR best interest; B) That Israel and Jews the world over are G-d’s “Chosen People”.  Intermarriage can indeed cause conflict - but it is not an “Us against them.  I have had Jews tell me I’m “not really Jewish because only Imma was Jewish and I married a gentile”.  My response has been unusual - I have a genetic disease that occurs almost exclusively in the Jewish population - my brother does not.  Only my eldest son has it and his son has it.  Had I married within my faith - ALL of my children may have had it.  The disease is terminal but so is life.  I have been married for 26 years and do not regret my choice.  My grandson (and likely my granddaughter) are affected because both my son and daughter-in-law carry that particular gene.  Neither knew until recently.  I only found out four years ago (after their marriage).  Canada is also heading into an election and we find the antics of your candidates quite entertaining.  Its like watching four schoolyard toughies engaging in an ever-escalating battle of name calling.  I’m just waiting for somebody to call an opponent a “poo-poo head”.  What I don’t hear is much talk about things like affordable health care and a great big FYI - Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan) have enough oil and Natural Gas to fuel the continent well into the next century by which time we won’t need the stuff anyway.  Bring the armies home and let the Arabs fight amongst themselves.  So.... who cares if so and so’s third cousin married a Jew.  There’s no agenda.  If a middle ground were established where gentiles could study, learn and participate in Jewish ritual and faith practice....there would be conversions—to Judaism because it can pass the scrutiny that Christian text can’t Ending their prayers “In Jesus’ name” is more a matter of habit and ignorance than subterfuge.  Okay… now its snowing and my dog is terrified.  Snow in September!  I might as well go back to the arctic - oh wait--- what if they try to convert me! Shalom Huh?  I am not sure if I don’t get this because I’m Canadian, the product of an inter-faith marriage, from a town in the Canadian Arctic where there was only one other Jewish family or because I married a Christian.  Our children all have Hebrew names, our eldest has studied and lived in Israel, married a lovely Jewish girl and we are blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, the oldest who is in private Hebrew day school.  They are back in Canada and are very Orthodox in their faith practice.  Our youngest sons take interest in Judaism and are very vocal in defense of Israel and will quickly correct those making anti-semitic remarks.  The other family—one son married “outside” and one daughter left her husband.  I have some friends who are ---- well I don’t quite know what they are.  They are goyim, yet they keep Shabbat and kosher, subscribe to several Jewish newsletters, donate to Jewish charities and have done volunteer work in Israel.  I know another young man who is likely more Torah observant than most rabbis.  He is very sincere and made his decision to convert after much study.  He has been meeting with Rabbis all over the country for over five years.  It is easier to see a Member of Parliament (our equivalent of a Senator) and get into the Prime Minister’s office than it is to convert.  My husband agrees to the dietary laws out of respect for my heritage and simply because they are healthier choices.  You may find that all these intermarriages are hiding closet Jews - because conversion is a difficult path.  My experience with most “born again” Christians has been A) Of course they try to convert you - they believe its in YOUR best interest; B) That Israel and Jews the world over are G-d’s “Chosen People”.  Intermarriage can indeed cause conflict - but it is not an “Us against them.  I have had Jews tell me I’m “not really Jewish because only Imma was Jewish and I married a gentile”.  My response has been unusual - I have a genetic disease that occurs almost exclusively in the Jewish population - my brother does not.  Only my eldest son has it and his son has it.  Had I married within my faith - ALL of my children may have had it.  The disease is terminal but so is life.  I have been married for 26 years and do not regret my choice.  My grandson (and likely my granddaughter) are affected because both my son and daughter-in-law carry that particular gene.  Neither knew until recently.  I only found out four years ago (after their marriage).  Canada is also heading into an election and we find the antics of your candidates quite entertaining.  Its like watching four schoolyard toughies engaging in an ever-escalating battle of name calling.  I’m just waiting for somebody to call an opponent a “poo-poo head”.  What I don’t hear is much talk about things like affordable health care and a great big FYI - Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan) have enough oil and Natural Gas to fuel the continent well into the next century by which time we won’t need the stuff anyway.  Bring the armies home and let the Arabs fight amongst themselves.  So.... who cares if so and so’s third cousin married a Jew.  There’s no agenda.  If a middle ground were established where gentiles could study, learn and participate in Jewish ritual and faith practice....there would be conversions—to Judaism because it can pass the scrutiny that Christian text can’t Ending their prayers “In Jesus’ name” is more a matter of habit and ignorance than subterfuge.  Okay… now its snowing and my dog is terrified.  Snow in September!  I might as well go back to the arctic - oh wait--- what if they try to convert me!

Shalom

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