kate, I think NE foks tend to mind their own business more.

One of my favorite people on the planet was raised in Maine, went to uni in Boston and while he is amazing at figuring out people, he leaves folks alone.

 He gets his stories by osmosis, I  assume. (he's a singer songwriter www.ellispaul.com) He's always listening in on the conversations others start, though.

I've lived in places where it was safer to be pagan than Jewish (Texas, Oklahoma).

 My journey back  took me through ISKCON (Hare Krsna) and open circles at the UU/ solitary practitioner.

I jokingly say I'm a Universalist Jew.

I think you're right about folks here minding their own business more.   I wear a lot of jewelry, and pentacles as a matter of course, and don't really think about it here.  I sure thought about it down South, though, when I got spit on by a middle-aged lady in the Charlottesville airport. 

I think I may have heard your friend in concert--I used to go to a lot of small venues around here and caught a lot of local music when I was younger! 

I have a friend here who kiddingly calls herself a JewWitch--she's (very, very liberal) Jewish with a fair amount of newagey stuff mixed into her beliefs. 

 I've used the term Jewwitch, myself.

Now, it is not a good definition, but it passes when my ethics have a basis in Eastern religious thought (it was the practice of my adolescence), pagan universalist thought, as well as Jewish  ethical thought.

I love DeborahMichelle's idea of wearing overt jewelry.  It gets the question out of the way right up front, as it were.

Interesting discussion; however, I am a Christian who wears a star of David that I bought in Israel. Should I wonder what others think about me? I don't.

-thyme2save

Dear Thyme2save, Others will probably assume that you are whichever there are more of in your region:

A Messianic Jew/Jew for Jesus

OR

A Jew.

I wouldn't sweat it.  If anyone asks your religion, just tell them if you don't think it's not their business.

Love in Him, Deeb

A Messianic Jew/Jew for Jesus OR A Jew.

I wouldn't sweat it.  If anyone asks your religion, just tell them if you don't think it's not their business.

Love in Him, Deeb

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am a misfit.

I fit nowhere.

A Christian peeking into our home and lifestyle would say "They are Jews".

A Jew peeking into our home and lifestyle would say "they are Christian".

Jews for Jesus is an organization that I have nothing to do with. They do not have the same lifestyle as me at all. Their goals are not mine.

I was raised a Christian. I do believe in Jesus. But I love Torah. I read my Bible and I see that as a Christian I should still keep Torah. I believe that Jesus did. I believe Paul did. So my husband and I try to keep Torah too. But we were not raised that way. We learn more and more all the time and try to keep it the best way we know how but I am sure we make mistakes and look silly to those who have done it all their lives and are in a community of other like-minded people. I am sure our akward baby-steps are offensive to many both Jews and Christians alike. But we are not trying to get others to be like us. We just want freedom to worship the way we think is best.

 It is a hard way this not fitting in either group but when Friday night rolls around and the candles are lit and Sabbath begins and we feel the peace and joy and delight that Sabbath brings there is no way we would go back.

Oh!   My dear Shoshana!  Soomeoone else on this Forum is just like you, a believing Christian who sees that to follow Jesus, one must observe the Sabbath & follow other Jewish Law to the extent possible. I jusst did a SEARCH, & believe  that she is "4givenNotperfect".   Plelase forgive!  Naturally, I have every sympathy for your fine efforts -- you are Righteous Gentiles.  I commend both of you! Kol ha Kavod!  (All praise to you!)  Love in Him, Deb

Dear Deb, you have done nothing that needs forgiveness. I was not upset with you and did not feel you had left me out.....I just was venting my frustrations about not fitting in to any group.

 Your kind words mean so much to me!

Thank you very much.

Ah! Shoshana, You could not be more welcome!  "What does teh L-rd require of you?  Only to do justice & love mercy, & to walk humbly with your G-d."  Love in Him, Deb

Deborahmichelle:

while it has pockets of hate such as in Orange County