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"Yoshke" is merely a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew name Yehoshua. It can be considered derogatory in the same way that some people view the word "goy/goyim" as being derogatory. But that doesn't necessarily make either "Yoshke" or "goy/goyim" derogatory words.
Our grandparents and generations before them would use the name Yoshke in order to avoid saying the name of Jesus. I believe it had to do with some prohibition against uttering the names of foreign deities. A lot of older Jews even today are uncomfortable using the word "Christmas" because of the word "Christ" in it, and instead will say "Xmas." That doesn't mean that the word "Xmas" is derogatory, either.
For the record, I don't have any problem saying the words "Jesus" or "Christmas" (although I will not call Jesus the "Christ" because I do not believe that he was the anointed Messiah).
P.S. If you still want to know what the "k" word is, Richard, send me a private message and I'll tell you. That word actually is derogatory (like the "n" word), and I will not post it here. Cheers to MQ's Aunt Ruth!
I know what the “K” word is, you just missed the movie reference...
I agree that you might want to consider re-posting this question in Christianity. I would ask if you wanted us to move it, but with the replies already in place, it might be best to re-post and, possibly, reword.
....
Actually it should be here and the query should be in relation to European Christian history rather than US Christians. Most of the Jew hatred stems from around 325 AD when Christianity changed in Europe. Most US Christians are not going to know (or admit to) the time line and changes made after that year that moved Christianity away from Judaism. Basically it started with "We are not them". Somewhere in the past few years we had a thread that covered this that had numerous links in it explaining why things are as they are. Richard may be able to find it in his history, but I think CD changed the amount of time we can go back looking for a older thread. Personally if I decide to join this thread any further, I'm not going to spend the immense amount of time to source everything I type.
Actually it should be here and the query should be in relation to European Christian history rather than US Christians. Most of the Jew hatred stems from around 325 AD when Christianity changed in Europe. Most US Christians are not going to know (or admit to) the time line and changes made after that year that moved Christianity away from Judaism. Basically it started with "We are not them". Somewhere in the past few years we had a thread that covered this that had numerous links in it explaining why things are as they are. Richard may be able to find it in his history, but I think CD changed the amount of time we can go back looking for a older thread. Personally if I decide to join this thread any further, I'm not going to spend the immense amount of time to source everything I type.
If you’re talking about me, I couldn’t even begin to guess what the thread title was...
The criteria for being a Jew is pretty widely known, so I don't think they are actually declaring themselves Jews, but you'd probably have to ask someone in that type of church what they think. They are definitely Christians, though. There are one or two who pop into the Christian forum.
The catch to what I said was or you have to be converted through proper and accepted channels.. The problem is a lot of them will under go some sort of brief "process" and dunk themselves in a bath and call it a day. However, it's not valid to anyone but themselves, and they want to be able to call themselves Jews to the community at large. Full disclosure, I AM a convert. It took me years of study, classes, a complete change of lifestyle and diet, rearranging my home and work schedule, appearing before a group (a Beit Din) and a trip to the mikvah. Anyone at any time could have delayed my conversion or nixed it all together. And that's not even an Orthodox conversion! With all the hard work I put into this, I'm a bit resentful when someone wants to walk up to the bema, utter some bad Hebrew and call themselves a Jew while disregarding everything the religion stands for.
The catch to what I said was or you have to be converted through proper and accepted channels.. The problem is a lot of them will under go some sort of brief "process" and dunk themselves in a bath and call it a day. However, it's not valid to anyone but themselves, and they want to be able to call themselves Jews to the community at large. Full disclosure, I AM a convert. It took me years of study, classes, a complete change of lifestyle and diet, rearranging my home and work schedule, appearing before a group (a Beit Din) and a trip to the mikvah. Anyone at any time could have delayed my conversion or nixed it all together. And that's not even an Orthodox conversion! With all the hard work I put into this, I'm a bit resentful when someone wants to walk up to the bema, utter some bad Hebrew and call themselves a Jew while disregarding everything the religion stands for.
Plus there's an expense incurred. The mikvot that I know of all charge a fee for their use.
So, yeah, this is kind of how I picture these do-it-yourself type "converts":
Yes, there was a cost of the mikvah... there was also a cost incurred with classes, with books, investing in kosher food, getting the kids involved in Sunday school, camp, etc. The temple does everything they can to subsidize a lot of stuff with scholarships, especially now that the conversions are complete and we are members of the Temple in good standing, but it wasn't a cheep or simple process by any means. 100% worth it though!! When something matters to you, you find a way. <3
Rachel, I tried to high five (or whatever it is) your post but the system wouldn't let me. Love the cartoon!
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