[NaomiBen-Ari]

This is a good question to ask your rabbi. There are thousands of Jewish converts and they all have to deal with life cycle events of their non-Jewish family. Believe me, you will find that you are not the first to have a similar question, and the rabbi will be well able to guide you. I speak from experience: my husband is an Orthodox convert. Naomi

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Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

For the biblical perspective, see Leviticus 18 & 20. Aunts and uncles, neices and nephews are a no-no, but cousins are okay. Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

Some people don't appreciate The charm of being small, Which is: that you appreciate The charm of being tall! -- Piet Hein Small is good in airplane seats. I am 5'2'' and solved most of reaching-the-top-shelf problems by marrying a tall husband! Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

I usually reply "Have a Happy Holiday", but I do feel kind of odd - like being wished "Happy Birthday" when it isn't your birthday at all. What really bugs me (though I know they mean no harm) is the little old ladies that will lean over the toddler in the baby seat of your Walmart shopping basket in December and coo "And what is Santa bringing you, little boy...?" Once, when my little boy was about 4, we had some Trick-or-Treaters come to the door. Even though we keep our porch light off, I do keep some candy for those who knock, so we gave them some. "Happy Halloween!" they said on parting. "Oh, we're not Halloweenish!" was his prompt reply. Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

As an Orthodox Jewish woman, I prefer NOT to touch or shake hands with non-relatives, and have perfected many a dodge to avoid giving offense. This is a particular problem if the hand proffered belongs, say, a differently abled person, or a person of another race, as I worry they may think that there is some other reason for my avoidance. I wish we could return to the days when it was proper etiquette that men offered their hands to other men and never to women and women offered their hands only if they chose to do so. Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

Hebrew is a language, not a food. Orthodox Jews and many Conservative Jews will only eat kosher food, which is food prepared according to strict Biblical and Rabbinic laws. For example meat and milk are not cooked in the same utensils nor served at the same meal, and no pork or shelfish products are used at all. When Americans, Jewish or Gentile, refer to Jewish food, they usually mean Ashkanazi (European) Jewish style of cooking that includes dishes like lox and bagels, gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, kugel, and the like. If you don't know what these are - run quickly to the nearest Jewish deli - wonderful things await you! Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

[NaomiBen-Ari]

I have lived 54 years on this planet as a Jew, in America, England and Israel, and I haven't heard this one yet! I'm not saying there isn't a Jew somewhere still holding out against old Henry Ford for his views, but I myself drive a Ford Windstar. I just don't drive it to synagogue on the Saturday because that would be breaking the Sabbath! We do have very long memories. My grandfather, of blessed memory, traveled all over Europe, but wouldn't set Spain because of the Inquisition, and that was over 400 years ago! Naomi

User Detail :  

Name : NaomiBen-Ari, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 54, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, 

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