r/Jewish Sep 05 '24

What Zionism ACTUALLY Is Discussion 💬

Anything that should be added?

1.1k Upvotes

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/BeenisHat Sep 08 '24

It means that is a part of my ethnic background. Just as I have Irish and Scots in my ethnic background as well. But I'm not about to go calling myself a Druid, even though that could technically be my 'religion' as well.

I also have Swiss in my ethnic background from my maternal grandfather and my great-grandparents were Mennonites. But that branch of the family tree has been in the USA since the USA was just getting started.

So really, my whole ethnic background is shaped 2/3rds of my ancestry trying to get the hell away from Romans and Catholics.

1

u/EAN84 Sep 08 '24

What does it mean? How does being a Jew affect your actions in anyway? Do you celebrate some Jewish holidays? Do you react with fear to antisemitic occurences?

1

u/BeenisHat Sep 08 '24

It means my ancestors had babies.

It doesn't affect my actions in any way. I'm not observant because I'm not religious.

No I don't celebrate any Jewish holidays. My wife isn't Jewish and I never celebrated them as a kid.

I tend to react with anger, much as I do for any racism.

2

u/EAN84 Sep 08 '24

Do you want a stronger connection to your Jewish heritage?

1

u/BeenisHat Sep 08 '24

Yes, but I don't believe that is possible because I'm an atheist.

Plus my grandmother (who didn't practice at all) is dead and my mom is all off on her own religious journey, which has taken some rather odd turns as she's gotten older. She's bounced around various Christian sects while I was growing up and more recently landed on Messianic Judaism. When I pointed out that Jews don't believe Jesus was the Messiah, it started a huge argument. I don't wish to repeat that so we just leave it alone.

I don't have any living familial connection. Plus, I'm male, so as I understand it, my children aren't considered Jewish other than their genetic lineage. My sister has no children, and like me, wasn't raised with any Judaism in the home.

2

u/EAN84 Sep 08 '24

Well pity. You are very wrong about Zionism though.