How Jewish do you need to be in order to still be considered Jewish? Or maybe more importantly, how Jewish do you need to be in order to wear the new t-shirt I finally bought for myself:
Jew(ish).
It is a complex and complicated topic. After all, you can have 100% Jewish heritage going all the way back to Israel, yet not actually be a practicing Jew- observing the culture and faith.
On the flip side, you can be like Connie Chung, a Chinese-American, who adopted an identity of Judaism when she married her husband Maury Povich. She is kosher and attends synagogue.
And then there are plenty people in-between, like me.
My mother and I had always specifically felt connected to Jewish people. As a kid, I assumed we were in deed Jewish. I didn’t question it.
Then, a few years ago, my mother’s DNA test confirmed what most self-identifying Jewish people are telling me: Because my mother’s test shows she is 15.2% Sephardic Jewish (via Italy), that means that I am, as well.
Coincidentally (?), I have faithfully remained kosher for over 11 years now; well before DNA tests were easily accessible.
Therefore, I feel confident in qualifying to be worth of the Jew(ish) t-shirt.
If you feel that you qualify, as well, just click this link to find the best deal on Amazon, like I did.
Shalom… I guess.