# Questions for non-practicing / non-religious Jews **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-non-practicing-non-religious-jews/474863 "2008-11-29T01:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-non-practicing-non-religious-jews/474863/21 "2008-11-30T14:47:15Z")
**First, how important is your Jewish heritage to you?** It’s something I don’t wear on my sleeve but would not overtly deny either. I’ve sometimes felt ‘in the closet’ where my Jewishness was concerned, especially with anti-semitic former colleagues and some acquaintances. I’ll save myself some more typing and say what FinnAgain said: [QUOTE=FinnAgain] I also recognize that at history’s darkest moments, whether someone self-identifies as Jewish is less important than if those in power define you as a Jew, so in a certain sense it’s a minor burden that it at least pays to be aware of. [/QUOTE] On the positive side, I’m proud of the intellectual tradition, the commitment to social justice, contributions to culture, science and medicine, and more. \*\*What, if any, distinctly Jewish activities/holidays/groups do you participate in? \*\* Hardly any. I live in a country where there are very few Jewish people and have attended just one cultural activity at the local synagogue and went to a Passover Seder hosted by some Israeli friends two or three years ago, but I have lit Hannuka candles with my son for several years. I rationalise that as a token gesture to my (and his) heritage, to counterbalance or complement the mainstream Christian culture he is immersed in. **Would you ask a rabbi for advice?** Highly unlikely that I would ask any religious leader for advice in their function as a religious leader. **Would you date/marry a gentile?** I’ve dated members of all major religions (all non-practicing) and ended up marrying a non-practicing Catholic. **Have you been to Israel?** My family moved there in 1971 (when I was 7) and left 8 years later, so I spent some formative years there. Have visited about 4 times since. Last time was 10 years ago, and I might be going next summer. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-non-practicing-non-religious-jews/474863/22 "2008-12-01T05:10:30Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > First, how important is your Jewish heritage to you? I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s _important_, but I do find it fascinating. It’s not a huge part of who I am, but I recognize that it’s part of my past. I do keep in mind that antisemitism targets those of jewish descent whether you’re religious or not. Also, a la Seinfeld, it’s nice to have a free pass to make jewish jokes. > [@](#): > > What, if any, distinctly Jewish activities/holidays/groups do you participate in? (I guess if you’re very strict about your non-practice this wouldn’t apply, but as a “non-practicing Catholic” I can say I was baptized, and dragged to church twice a year for Christmas and Easter as a kid. I just don’t do it anymore) I’ll go to jewish-themed activities if they look interesting, but I don’t make any effort to seek out such things. I don’t observe any of the holiday rituals on my own, but if I’m with my family sometimes I will. > [@](#): > > Would you ask a rabbi for advice? Since I don’t care about religion, I can’t imagine what I’d ask a rabbi that I wouldn’t be able to ask someone else. > [@](#): > > Would you date/marry a gentile? Sure, why not. > [@](#): > > Have you been to Israel? I went there as part of a birthright tour last spring. I had a great time and I wouldn’t mind visiting again at some point in my life. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-non-practicing-non-religious-jews/474863.md?page=1)