HalfJew Searching for Identity DM Miller 9781542348904 Books
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What is a Half-Jew?
Neither this nor that. Practically synonymous with confusion, Half-Jew is a term for people stuck in no-man's land, not quite fitting in with Gentiles nor universally accepted as Jews.
Some say there is no such thing, denying many their legitimate heritage and innate pull toward the same culture, ancestry and religious equivalence as those with Jewish matrilineage. Those born of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother are often lost, searching for a true identity.
D.M. Miller makes a compelling case to prove the doubters wrong. In analyzing religious arguments, medical and genetic studies, history and ancestry, this intimate part-memoir tells the personal story of one woman determined to eradicate the stigma, unravel the misunderstandings and come to terms with what identity is or isn't through her unique perspective as a Half-Jew.
HalfJew Searching for Identity DM Miller 9781542348904 Books
I don't easily hand out five-star reviews. A lot of things are taken into consideration--everything from errors in logic to errors in spelling. But I'm giving this book five stars. Okay, the fact that I fall into the dreaded half-Jew category had something to do with it, but then again, that can be a liability as well, seeing as how I'm sensitive to the subject.To the nitty-gritty: I found it hard to put this book down, not only because it was well-written. I think every other page (I was reading on a Kindle; small pages) I was nodding my head vehemently, highlighting something, or going "Been there done that." I get so tired of hearing "you're not a Jew." I'm Jewish enough for Hitler, aren't I? How can Hitler be more inclusive than my own people? And I get so tired of hearing about how Jews are responsible for all the ills of the world. Geez, the world is lucky to have Jews, or there'd be no one to blame for everything that goes wrong.
Some readers say the second half of the book drags as the author describes her own personal research. I found it fascinating, however, because I had done the same thing. I'd love to have lunch with DM Miller sometime and compare notes. I've done the whole genealogy thing too, and I did find two cousins (one is a rabbi--wouldn't that make my late Methodist mother do somersaults in her grave?) who were able to fill me in on some of my history. Her "hometown" of Bershad was only about 150 miles from my hometown now called Chisinau.
I did all the religious research too, and found my own place, oddly enough, in a Messianic synagogue. I'm on a dozen pro-Israel mailing lists that keep me informed of my other favorite country. What can I say? I may only be half-Jew physically; spiritually, I'm more of a Jew than many "born-Jews." And that's the message of Ms. Miller's book. Don't count us out, Jews of the world--we are with you.
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HalfJew Searching for Identity DM Miller 9781542348904 Books Reviews
I really identified with this book. My mother is Jewish and my father is Catholic. Even though I am matrilineally Jewish, sometimes I feel like I don't belong to the Jewish people because I don't look Jewish. I went to a Chabad Shabbat dinner and a Jew asked me, "So, what brought you to Judaism?" as if I was a convert. One time at a synagogue, I sat down next to somebody and they told me angrily, "You probably celebrate Lent!" Before I went on my Israel trip in high school, an Israeli asked me, "Why are you here? Why are you going to Israel?" because I didn't look Jewish. Some parts of this book remind me of Harry Potter and the Holocaust. According to J.K. Rowling, "some of the real charts the Nazis used to show what constituted 'Aryan' or 'Jewish' blood. I saw one in the Holocaust Museum in Washington when I had already devised the 'pure-blood', 'half-blood' and 'Muggle-born' definitions, and was chilled to notice the similarity." I identify with the scene in the first Harry Potter movie when Hermione is called a "mudblood" by Malfoy, as if she doesn't belong to the Wizarding World. To all the half-Jews and D.M. Miller's out there who are patrilineally Jewish and have a non-Jewish mother and a Jewish father, Israel is your home. You will always belong to the Jewish people because of Israel's Law of Return which grants you citizenship.
This book was worth buying and reading...thanks for writing it D. M. Miller. Though I may not be even half Jewish...there are reasons to think I am at least some...and more importantly, hubby and I left Christianity years ago, via study...and converted under Reform. We are not a good fit there and we find so far not a good fit anywhere else either. We might consider Noahide, but in our area cannot find any. I am glad in a way to be old...and if we never are a part again someplace, it is ok as our sojourn in this life maybe is short anyway. I was comforted by reading this book. I was encouraged to resume more work on our ancestry. Though, again...we KNOW who we are...whether others ever accept that or not. We at this time, say prayers together and use our Reform Siddur. We attend some classes at Chabad as we can. And we learn all we can online, via books etc. I encourage others to follow the path the best they can. Surely the Eternal is aware of our efforts anyway!!
I really enjoy this author's talent, previously in novel form and now in my favorite category, non-fiction. I am one of these "Half-Jews", although I have been called worse names. Most Orthodox treat you like a 'novelty'; they smile, pat you on the head, and say "isn't that nice!". No. That's not why I'm here, to entertain you. I came to a point in my previous faith when I said "hold on". I couldn't say the Creeds. I had trouble with the different stories of a man's birth, life, and death. Questions to others in authority were answered by "well, that's what FAITH IS!". Just believe. I'm not a PhD but I know when to start doing my own homework. After MUCH study (which really never ends, which I like) meetings with "my" rabbi, and others, living the life and celebrating the Holidays, I felt I had found my "home". It was hard to let go of 53 years of Sunday School, both attending and teaching, I converted. Now, I found out, came the tough part fitting in. No-one told me about this! DM Miller undertook a somewhat similar journey, and she writes about it here. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you fit the category, or perhaps to the "REAL" Jews that make the judgments and the calls as to "who belongs" or not. Despite my "Half-Jew" status to SOME, I have come to the realization that 'I AM A JEW'. Read this great little book and let's journey together! Toda Raba, DM!
I don't easily hand out five-star reviews. A lot of things are taken into consideration--everything from errors in logic to errors in spelling. But I'm giving this book five stars. Okay, the fact that I fall into the dreaded half-Jew category had something to do with it, but then again, that can be a liability as well, seeing as how I'm sensitive to the subject.
To the nitty-gritty I found it hard to put this book down, not only because it was well-written. I think every other page (I was reading on a ; small pages) I was nodding my head vehemently, highlighting something, or going "Been there done that." I get so tired of hearing "you're not a Jew." I'm Jewish enough for Hitler, aren't I? How can Hitler be more inclusive than my own people? And I get so tired of hearing about how Jews are responsible for all the ills of the world. Geez, the world is lucky to have Jews, or there'd be no one to blame for everything that goes wrong.
Some readers say the second half of the book drags as the author describes her own personal research. I found it fascinating, however, because I had done the same thing. I'd love to have lunch with DM Miller sometime and compare notes. I've done the whole genealogy thing too, and I did find two cousins (one is a rabbi--wouldn't that make my late Methodist mother do somersaults in her grave?) who were able to fill me in on some of my history. Her "hometown" of Bershad was only about 150 miles from my hometown now called Chisinau.
I did all the religious research too, and found my own place, oddly enough, in a Messianic synagogue. I'm on a dozen pro-Israel mailing lists that keep me informed of my other favorite country. What can I say? I may only be half-Jew physically; spiritually, I'm more of a Jew than many "born-Jews." And that's the message of Ms. Miller's book. Don't count us out, Jews of the world--we are with you.
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