Great piece, Gwen. Jews by choice wrestle with the same questions of identity and belonging -- as well as with others' pronouncements about whether or not we're "really" Jewish. I'm not sure I've yet figured out where I belong within the community, but I have figured out that I have a deep-seated connection to Judaism and a very personal, very strong sense of Jewish identity. That's the part that noone can question or take away from you, and I hope you continue to "value and identify with" the part of you that is Jewish -- however YOU define it.
Great piece, Gwen. Jews by choice wrestle with the same questions of identity and belonging -- as well as with others' pronouncements about whether or not we're "really" Jewish. I'm not sure I've yet figured out where I belong within the community, but I have figured out that I have a deep-seated connection to Judaism and a very personal, very strong sense of Jewish identity. That's the part that noone can question or take away from you, and I hope you continue to "value and identify with" the part of you that is Jewish -- however YOU define it.