tales of a wandering half-jew

Today Potvin reminded me that when I go to Israel this week, people are going to ask me what I am doing there.  What's my deal?  It's a good question.

I have several hats I could wear.  Am I a non-Jewish girl visiting her Jewish friend and soaking up the culture of the Holy Land?  Am I trying Jewish history/Jewishness on for size to see if it fits my indecisiveness, if my soul will suddenly roll over and start to tremble?  Am I rolling with the punches, saying "slikha" in the crowded streets and bumbling my Hebrew like other American Jews?   

I have very strong tendencies to lie about how Jewish I am, and somehow I don't think that's going to fly in Israel.  All of the deceptions stop now: I have no idea what I'm getting into.   

Comments

[Sarah P]

saying "slikha" on the crowded streets! you'll fit right in! I said "slikha" to people in moscow & almost got axe-murdered. but you're in Israel--it's just a whole bunch of maybe-jews-with-identity-crises bumping into each other. at least you are being polite & apologizing for your bumping. bumping & bumping & considering the profoundly, deeply, totally lame-o question: "Am I am American Jew... or a Jewish American?!"

[madster]

Yeah, all the deceptions you probably don't need. I bet Israelis are used to half-Jews and all sorts of permutations of Jewishness washing up on their shores and having identity crises. I hope people don't give you a hard time about it. Anyway, let us know how you turn out.