Were you once Jewish or did you convert to be Jewish? If so, what religion did you change to or from and why?

I converted to Judaism from - well, atheism I suppose, but I had been a Buddhist and a don't know and a pantheist in a vague way and a wannabe something. I don't know how I would have felt about Judaism if I'd been born into it. Meeting it as an adult, I had to find my own meanings in things (obviously through masses of reading etc, but we all interpret things through our own perceptions).

I know what you mean about the masculinity - that we have always used the pronoun 'he', the word 'Lord' etc - but this is changing in UK Reform where our new siddur uses gender-neutral language, is inclusive of the matriarchs as well as patriarchs etc. I could not have undergone an Orthodox conversion, partly because of this - I knew that in Reform there were women rabbis, that the festivals siddur had already come out in gender-neutral language.

My way in to Judaism was through some of the Reconstructionist writings, some Jewish Renewal and especially, most especially, Arthur Waskow's "God-wrestling". That book was a turning point for me as it made links at every step for me between my real lived experience and a Jewish, Torah-based way of understanding.

I don't actually think my innate beliefs have changed - it's just that I now have a different framework to think about and experience them. Nature has always been the key for me, too, and that hasn't changed.

Well born Jewish, then went on long search, and ended up becoming an Observant Orthodox Jew. The one thing that struck me about your question is that it essentially shows your ignorance about Judaism (same as mine 20 years ago) but with the unfortunate end that you ended up not discovering the reality of Judaism but turning to other paths . (God is genderless- there is no masculine or feminine God for starters). Ah well- maybe in time your search for a path will lead you back home (it did me after 7 or so years of studying other religions.)

Hi, I'm Ashley. I was raised a Catholic but I'm discovering Judaism. I'm a 31 year-old man. I like how Jewish Law is Jewish Law and how Jewish Law NEVER CHANGES. Catholic doctrine is ALWAYS changing because it's a wishy-washy religion.

I have found that laying tefillin is about being CONNECTED to G-d.

Praying as a 'Christian' is about being CORRECTED by G-d.

I have found women to be a HUGE PART of Judaism. Jewish women kindle the Shabbat lights, not the men. Jewish WOMEN are not obligated to perform time-bound mitzvot, but men are.

On Purim, the hero of the Purim Speil is QUEEN ESTHER - a Jewish woman! In Judaism, women have more *binah* (spiritual wisdom) than men....

EDIT: Here in Australia, Shabbat ENDED 6 hours ago...

I am Jewish, born and bred and have no inclination of changing. From what you write, I have doubt if you were ever Jewish because I am a Reformed Jew and we do not focus on the masculine side of God Our rabbi is a woman and women serve as rabbis in Conservative Judaism

I was born Jewish. Now I'm still Jewish. I think your question shows a very poor understanding of what Judaism is, and that is generally why Jews turn to other religions, because they believe that Judaism is as non-Jews define it.

If you were really interested in answers from Jews, you would not have posted during Shabbat. I'm a Reform Jew-by-choice and haven't become shomer shabbos....yet. I was raised as a Xtian, but left as a young adult. I raised my three sons as heathens and found Judaism as a senior. My only regret is that I didn't find Judaism soon enough to raise my sons as Jews.

I sincerely hope you'll make teshuva and learn what you obviously missed as a child.

I am a Jew because the faith of Israel demands no abdication of my mind.

I am a Jew because the faith of Israel asks every possible sacrifice of my soul.

I am a Jew because in all places where there are tears and suffering the Jew weeps.

I am a Jew because in every age when the cry of despair is heard the Jew hopes.

I am a Jew because the message of Israel is the most ancient and the most modern.

I am a Jew because Israel's promise is a universal promise.

I am a Jew because for Israel the world is not finished; men will complete it.

I am a Jew because for Israel man is not yet fully created; men are creating him.

I am a Jew because Israel places man and his unity above nations and above Israel itself.

I am a Jew because above man, image of the divine unity, Israel places the unity which is divine.

Edmond Fleg, "Why I Am a Jew"

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I was born Jewish. My mother's side of the family are orthodox jews. My mother is reform and I don't really even know much about it to be honest.. What I do know, I keep in mind though.. I am a little lost, when it comes to religion, myself.

I have never found judaism to be worth much. Unlike the he-she Ashley above me I find it to be very wishy washy. Look how many jews are atheists. Most do not follow the Torah laws that are so set in stone. There is all the different branches of Judaism that disagree and a bunch are eating pork on the Sabbath. The Kol Nidre prayer is very wishy washy too.

Shabbat Shalom... "If" you were a "born-blood-line Jew", you never "converted" to anything... it's in your "blood-line"...you may have intellectually made "other" decisions but you are of the line of David forever... For me... I was "spiritually" lost in modern "Christian" religions until I discovered exactly who "He" is... Today, I follow the teaching of a young Hebrew Carpenter who specializes in "home improvement"...His Wisdom and Knowledge improves "the home"... You can get to know all about Him...it's simple and easy, it won't cost you a penny...and since you are of His blood-line...well, you are already blessed and highly favored of God... Consider reading the Book of John, the 4th Gospel of the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament)...then read Romans, chapter 1 vs. 16 and pay very very close and particular attention to what it says when you get to the word "first"... it will explain "exactly" who His message is for...Normally, I would say..."welcome to the family" but fo you, Id' say "welcome home"...Shabbat-Shalom.