Comments on: From Conversion to Ordination

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:14:46 +0000

I applaud Rabbi Stanton, but there are more of us that know our Jewish roots, my mother is Askenazic (French) who married a descendant of the tribe of Ephraim (North Africa), so in essence we were reared jewish!! Then arriving in the US only to be ostracized and ridiculed by blacks, white, christians and jews. I wasn’t allowed to speak hebrew or french, only english. I continue to believe that somewhere, there is someone totally accepting of who I am as a woman and I too, am studying so tha the rest of us who are separated by society. I enjoy who I am Jewish first and foremost and never ashame, I feel extremely blessed to have parents both who were devout Jews. How I hate being judged even in 2009, solely on my appearance. Too light to be considered black, too dark to be considered French. I am who I am and very proud of it!!!

By: Avi

Avi — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:51:44 +0000

I applaud Ms. Stanton for her sharing her inspiring story of her personal journey into and experience Judaism, but I have a very difficult time understanding how she cold sanction interfaith marriages. Yes, a marriage that isn’t Jewish is no less sacred and special, but the responsibility of a rabbi should be to encourage and emphasize the importance of marrying Jewish. As both a convert and a rabbi, she should understand that this is a top priority for our people as we combat assimilation and the noticeable decline of Jewish observance and identity among American Jews today.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:57:42 +0000

I applaud Rabbi Stanton’s determination to follow her heart. Her congregation is fortunate to have her as a role model. Another glass ceiling is broken.

I am 53 and remember “Negroes” being 2nd class citizens in my youth. It occurred to me during Obama’s race for President that I was an American Democrat and his color meant nothing to me; it was his integrity and intelligence. It is wonderful to read that Bayt Shalom greeted Rabbi Stanton with consideration to her faith and her character, not her race.

Yasher Koach on your achievement Rabbi; and L’Shana Tova

By: lori

lori — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:43:22 +0000

david,

where do u live and how old r u?! looking for a good catch?! lori.

By: lori

lori — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:39:09 +0000

i think ths is a nice thing. blacks and jews need t get along better anyway. look at sammy davis jr. let him rest in peace. he knew what he was doing when he converted! lol.

my cousin’s italian wife converted in 1973 just to get my cousin and she hasn’t done anything jewish since. oh, except for cooking off and on w/ my other cousin’s wife who didn’t convert and acts more jewish than she does. actually, all my first cousin’s wife did after she converted is belong to the italian community center w/ her family for the last 36 years. and one of her daughters just got married to a nice catholic boy and converted to catholicism. my aunt would be rolling over in her grave, let her rest in peace.

if u mean it in your heart, by all means convert, if u do it just to get a man or a woman, it doesn’t mean sh*t!!!!!!!!

By: David

David — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:11:25 +0000

Silvina, it’s funny that you said that because something of the sort happened to me during the past week.

I’ve noticed that Women get quite enthusiastic about me when I mention that I am ‘Jewish’ –That is until they figure out I am as well of as they are. Lol!

By: Rena

Rena — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:58:23 +0000

I believe this article is sooooo timely for me. I am African American and I love Israel and have been practicing Judaism/studying for about 7 years. I grew up in a suburb of St. Louis and in a Jewish neighborhood. My teachers in public school were Jewish. I remember walking around on Saturdays’ and seeing the Jewish families walking to synagogue. I loved the Jewish bakery a couple blocks from my home. I finally found food that reminded me of my childhood and guess what!!! It was simply Kosher foods.

I think that marrying a Jewish man would be idea for any woman who happened to fall in love with a Jewish man.