I think at the core of this is the debate over whether Jewishness is genetic, cultural, or strictly spiritual. I still hesitate about whether I should say I'm half-Jewish, half-Russian Jewish, or just half-Russian. While I'm not spiritually or culturally (though man I love Jewish food) Jewish, I certainly have physical traits that are considered genetically Jewish. Though, since my father's side is Jewish and the heritage is traditionally passed through the mother's side, whether I can claim Jewish as a label in any capacity is also debatable. 'Tis complicated for sure.
I think at the core of this is the debate over whether Jewishness is genetic, cultural, or strictly spiritual. I still hesitate about whether I should say I'm half-Jewish, half-Russian Jewish, or just half-Russian. While I'm not spiritually or culturally (though man I love Jewish food) Jewish, I certainly have physical traits that are considered genetically Jewish. Though, since my father's side is Jewish and the heritage is traditionally passed through the mother's side, whether I can claim Jewish as a label in any capacity is also debatable. 'Tis complicated for sure.