Equally absurd
Posted on 07/27/2011 4:49:39 PM PDT by SJackson
Gwyneth Paltrow has, at one time or another, announced that she does not believe in religion, is simply spiritual, and is raising her kids Jewish. Perhaps she is a little confused about what she wants to do, or practice, but at the end of the day, does it even matter? I say yes it does.
The Jewish population is getting smaller. With inter-faith marriage, people opting to not have children at all, or simply stepping away from religion entirely, there are less and less Jews every year, so I figure if a woman wants to raise her kids Jewish, who am I to judge?
We need more Jews! Our faith dictates that our religion is passed on from mother to child, so by that criteria, Gwyneth Paltrow is not Jewish, so neither are her kids, so she cannot possibly raise them to be Jews. That is simply a ridiculous argument in any scenario.
Lance Armstrong’s mother was not a champion cyclist, but she raised one. Neil Armstrong’s parents never went to space, but they raised a son to walk on the moon. I have never won an Oscar, but I am raising a child who will be an award-winning actor and director one day.
I am Jewish by birth. My family has been Jewish, on both sides, for as far back as we have been able to trace, so does that qualify me to raise my son Jewish more than Gwyneth is to raise her children Jewish? Are Jews so elitist that we would tell her she can’t do it?
My son spent ten years in a private Jewish Day School and I had to Google half of the holidays they closed for because not only did I not know what the holidays were, but had never heard of them. I eat lobster and make my son cheeseburgers, so am I qualified to raise a Jew?
Paltrow is a big star, people listen to what she says, so if she can make it cool to be Jewish, I say rock on sister. Jews are cool baby. On behalf of my Jewish self, and my Jewish son, I say welcome. Do whatever you want. It’s an important thing to give your children faith.
To clarify, Apple will need to convert if she wants to marry my son, but no worries, you will have done all the legwork so it will just be a formality. In a world where Jews continue to struggle to be accepted, I welcome those who wants to take it on and say to you all, keep the faith.
Yes.
What is her husband’s religion???
She is not, which is why conversion is the option for her children. Conversion, not "raising". I acknowledge that's a bit odd when mom isn't Jewish. I don't know much about hubby, faith or whether he's around, but that could be a factor.
Don’t know
1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 10:1-4 KJV
Well, of course, in the end, it’s none of our business! But I wonder why she went to the press with this story. Personally, I don’t care what she does except object to the horrible name “Apple” she stuck on her poor kid!
So, why would Jews NOT accept her children as Jews??
I never said any such thing. There are 2 ways to be considered a Jew. 1) You're mother is Jewish. 2) You convert. Neither Paltrow nor her kids qualify on either account.
This woman blows with whatever her current thought of the second is.
A friend of mine's wife, raised pretty much without religion, decided to convert to Judaism (my friend wasn't Jewish, so it wasn't a marriage thing). For her it was essentially a choice for monotheism but without Jesus. It came down to "this I believe and this I do not believe."
Not sure I understand your question. If she raises her children as Jews within the Jewish community, that means in the context of Jewish education and Synagogue membership, for the kids not mom, they will.
Equally absurd
You can follow the Hebrew faith your whole life and never be a Jew because to be a Jew you must come from the line of Judah.
I’m not sure what you mean, but you are responding to my post which touched on conversion. Are you suggesting that the souls of Jewish converts weren’t present at Sinai, now finding their way?
Those are the are two ways that Jews evaluate whether someone is Jewish. The rest of us who are not bound by rabinical rules on this often use the same criteria we use for every other ethnic group: if either parent is Jewish you are considered 1/2 Jewish.
Granted that wouldn't really cover the Sammy Davis Jr. case, but those are vanishingly rare.
I think first, she needs to read the Bible...
Gwyneth Paltrow Asks What the Bible Says About Homosexuality
That’s the question actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who practices Kabbalah, asked in her latest GOOP newsletter (an online publication that aims to “nourish the inner aspect”).
Her question was originally motivated by the story that broke last year about an Arkansas school board member, Clint McCance, who posted remarks urging gay youth to commit suicide in response to Spirit Day – a campaign to encourage support for gay youth. McCance later said he was sorry for his “ignorant comments” and he resigned from the school board.
That led Paltrow to say this in her newsletter, “A few months ago, in the heat of the tragic teen suicides that came about from intolerance of homosexuality, I saw a man on television who was apologizing for wishing death on gays from his facebook page. This member of an Arkansas school board was contrite for the violence in his words, but maintained that his values pertaining to homosexuality would remain, as he felt homosexuality was condemned in the bible. This concept, while foreign to me, is interesting, as it used to justify so much judgment and separation in our society.”
Gwyneth is kinda ditzy....She was great in “Country Strong”
Definitely I would consider her and her children Jewish if she raises them Jewish. But she should seal the deal by formally converting. She has prominent rabbis on her fathers side so converting should be easy. The world needs more Jews...only 16 million worldwide so go for it Gwyneth!!!
Do you think someone can be 1/2 Christian?
Car accident and conversion to Judaism
Davis nearly died in an automobile accident on November 19, 1954 in San Bernardino, California, as he was making a return trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.[15] The accident occurred at a fork in U.S. Highway 66 at Cajon Boulevard and Kendall Drive. Davis lost his left eye as a result; he wore an eye patch for at least six months following the accident.[16][17] He appeared on What’s My Line wearing the patch.[18] Later, he was fitted for a glass eye, which he wore for the rest of his life.
While in the hospital, Davis’ friend, performer Eddie Cantor, told him about the similarities between the Jewish and black cultures. Prompted by this conversation, Davis — who was born to a Catholic mother and Protestant father — began studying the history of Jews. He converted to Judaism several years later.[1] One passage from his readings (from the book A History of The Jews by Abram L. Sachar), describing the endurance of the Jewish people, intrigued him in particular: “The Jews would not die. Three millennia of prophetic teaching had given them an unwavering spirit of resignation and had created in them a will to live which no disaster could crush”.[19] In many ways, the accident marked a turning point in Davis’ career, taking him from a well-known entertainer to a national celebrity and icon.[15]
Yes. I’m reminded of a somewhat prominent Rabbi who, when counciling gays, tells them he’ll work with them on the other 622 Commandments. Which doesn’t condone 623, which one will answer for.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.