The term "Half-Jewish" still regarded as controversial by many

Steve Walker (photo)

Walker Report Publisher

On this day of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) the term "Half-Jewish" is still debated by many.

Some people use the term "half-Jewish" to describe a person who has one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent. The use of the term is regarded as controversial.

The term has no significance as a religious category. While the various Jewish denominations have different rules which determine the status of children of mixed unions, all versions of these rules agree that a person is either Jewish or not. As a result, many Jews reject the use of the term "half-Jewish," some maintaining that it has historical racial connotations.

Most people who use the term are unaware of the racial connotations of the term, and the anguish it causes to some Jews aware of the connection. Others use the term to imply that Jewishness is more of a cultural or ethnic identity than a religious one. People of mixed heritage may not fully identify as Jewish, regardless of whether they embrace Judaism as a religion.

In the United States, because of intermarriage, the population of "half-Jews" is beginning to rival that of Jews with two Jewish parents, especially among young children. "Half-Jewish" is said to be emerging as an independent identity with its own traits of tolerance and adaptation, but also perhaps a sense of detachment, spiritual indifference, or unclear identity.

Other similar terms that have been used include: "part-Jewish" and "partial-Jews". The term "Gershom", "Gershomi" or "Beta Gershom" has also been used as an alternative to "half-Jewish" and "part-Jewish" in connection with descendants of intermarriage, Gershom being the son of Moses and his Midianite wife Zipporah.

Most people would describe themselves simply as "my father/mother is/was Jewish", which has no implication as to their own Jewish status.

Editor's Note: On this day of Rosh Hashanah, Walker Report Publisher & Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 candidate & former Balcones Heights Councilman Steve Walker says, "my deceased father was Jewish. He changed his name from Ginsburg to Walker during WWII before I was born. I am proud of my lineage that includes Rabbis on my father's side & Catholic Priests on my mother's side."