OTHER HALF-JEWISH GROUPS
In addition to the Half-Jewish Network and its chapters, here is a list of other half-Jewish groups by adult children, grandchildren and other descendants of intermarriage.
Their views may be very different from those expressed by the Half-Jewish Network, or, alternatively, they may share our views on some subjects.
If you know of more half-Jewish groups, please contact us at:
1. Our Half-Jewish Network Seattle Chapter - Seattle Half-Jewish Meetup
http://www.meetup.com/Seattle-Half-Jewish-Meetup/
Website's Mission Statement:
"The goal of this group is to provide a social and networking space for adult children and other descendants of intermarried Jews.
You may be an adult child of a Jewish father or Jewish mother - or you may have a Jewish grandparent. You may be an adoptee, stepchild, or other non-biological descendant of an intermarried Jew. You may come from a multi-racial or mixed-heritage family. You may identify as Jewish, Christian, secular, as a member of another faith or culture, “both,” “neither,” or “undecided.” You may be part of the GLBTQ community.
Coming to Judaism as an adult is an awkward and sometimes difficult experience. Having only one Jewish parent -- of either gender -- can be a balancing act. If you want to become part of Jewish life, you may be told you have to convert if your father was Jewish. If your mother was Jewish you may face questions like, "How do you know you're Jewish?"
Being "half-Jewish" isn't so much an identity label as it is a description of relationship dynamics within Jewish communities. Who is inside? Who is outside? "Who is a Jew?" is a favorite question and the source of seemingly endless debate, anxiety, and confusion for many people. Thus my hope to bring us together and share ways Jewish beliefs and spiritual ideas from other traditions can enhance our lives.
Few studies have been done on adult children of intermarriage, but as the intermarriage rates increase, our numbers are growing. This is the place to:
- Swap stories about growing up in an interfaith family & bridging two or more cultures;
- Explore the cultural or spiritual aspects of Judaism in a casual setting;
- Learn about your Jewish side without having to leave your current faith or culture;
- Talk about encounters with anti-Semitism;
- Share cultural or religious resources;
- Discuss ways we are raising our kids; and
- Enjoy books and popular culture."
2. Half-Jewish Experience (Facebook) -- started by the organizer of our Seattle Half-Jewish Network chapter
http://www.facebook.com/directory/pages/H151-200#/group.php?gid=116546173983
"That no one who is seed of Jacob shall be without his or her Torah."
If the Jewish Torah is a legacy to the whole world (for it speaks to Gentiles too), then how much more so is it also the inheritance of those who descend from Jacob!
The use of the term "half-Jewish" is ONLY employed as a reference for: "Descendant of Jewish Intermarriage". Because the term "half-Jewish" can lend itself to the erroneous impression that a person can be only partially a part of Israel and the Sinai covenant, we have also coined the phrase "Beta Gershom" (House of Gershom) as a synonym for "Descendant of Jewish Intermarriage" and as a alternative to "half-Jewish". "
4. The Holy Half-Breed - The blog of the Seattle Half-Jewish Network Chapter Meet-up Group:
http://halfjewish.wordpress.com/
Website Mission Statement:
"No matter what you do, know this: Someone will insist your way is wrong. Expect your legitimacy to be questioned. If you choose to identify as a Jew – and/or want to live a Jewish life – only you can decide what that means. There is no Jewish Certification Fairy. Find a denomination that fits your beliefs. Try to meet people who support your choices."
5. Double: Half -- This group is an independent organization for half-Jewish people living in Germany. It is a well-regarded "friend and ally" of ours. Their websites (in German and English) are:
http://www.doppelhalb.de/english.html
Double: Half's Welcoming Statement:
"Our association is meant to provide a safe space for engaging productively with ones origin(s). Its purpose is to create a space where it is not demanded to decide for one of the two (or more) “sides“; rather, we want to accept ambivalent feelings (of belonging) and to give an opportunity to share them and talk about them. One of the leading ideas of doppel:halb is to be a forum for exchange on the feeling of “sitting between the chairs“ and to support people of partly Jewish descent as they find out how much and which form of contact to Jewish culture and religion they want and are able to realize for themselves.
Through information, contacts and exchange we want to alleviate the isolation, the experience of exclusion and non-belonging that are often felt by people of partly Jewish descent. At the same time - as the name doppel:halb (double:half) is meant to signify - we want to adress the fruitful aspect of the “two sides“ and the chances and valuable perspectives that our special heritage holds."
6. Jews In ALL Hues - www.jewsinallhues.org