Comments on: Can my Orthodox neighbors be friends with me if I’m not Jewish?

By: shimon baum

shimon baum — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:01:51 +0000

Actually as a fellow religious Jew I would settle for some who just say hello or are half way friendly

By: Yaakov Cohn

Yaakov Cohn — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:11:15 +0000

Dear Kim,
I was so fascinated that you once considered converting, but realized that you could best express your love for our people by remaining true to yourself. I wonder if you have ever noticed the references to “God-Fearers” in the Psalms. Those “God-Fearers” are usually understood to be non-Jewish neighbors who lived peaceably alongside and even joined in our celebrations, but did not themselves adopt Judaism.
I see you as a modern day God-Fearers and I think the Jewish people have no real need for converts, but we desparately need God-Fearers.

I grew up attached to a Chasidic community in Boston. I’d say that the apparent stand-offish attitude from that community is complicated. For one thing, members are likely to be on the defense against expected hostility from the majority culture. Sadly, and I speak from personal experience, those expectations are likely to be reinforced from time to time by sporadic episodes of verbal or physical attacks often directed against young people by majority culture young people.

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:42:38 +0000

Unfortunately there are religious Jews out there, Shimon, who don’t live according to religious Judaism, but there are plenty of great ones out there too, and the more we see people acting the wrong way the more we should be inspired to be even better ourselves.

By: Shimon Baum

Shimon Baum — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:33:03 +0000

Don’t worry as an orthodox Jew I can tell you that many of the orthodox Jews I know are just as unfriendly to their fellow Jews.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:30:29 +0000

I was trying to figure out how to ask this exact question! When I was 11 years old, I met some Hasidic Jews in Miami, FL. They avoided everyone and only spoke Yiddish, and I thought it was because they were not allowed for religious reasons to be friends with
non-Jews.
The Jewish religion and people are so close to my heart. I used to think of converting to Orthodox Judaism, but decided to stay a Christian. I thought it would mean more to love Jewish people and religion as myself. If I was one of them I would not have the same appreciation and it would be easier to take things for granted. Also, I couldn’t take my only friend with me to Judaism. Thank you so much for posting this!

PS I love your Youtube videos too!