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The Unwanted Child

By Chaim Mentz

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The Unwanted Child

An amazing story of how one event changed the lives of many generations of one family.

Topics:

Assimilation

By Chaim Mentz

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21 Comments

Cyril Mumbai, India January 9, 2012

the story by Rabbi Mentz It was really a touching personal story by Rabbi
Mentz.

I have a young 4 year old daughter,who has never known her mother.I was born Roman Catholic,but feel I need to know more about Judaism. Reply

Linda Sieg Eau Claire, WI October 25, 2010

the unwanted child I was touched by this story Reply

MaureenJackson Melbourne, Australia October 16, 2010

Thank you I enjoyed this story so much and congratulate you for your dedication. Reply

Yaakov Crown Heights, NY October 16, 2010

re: Tipping The Scales Its not a matter of what I believe, it is about what the Torah says. If it seems to be an uncomfortable position that the Torah takes, such as the Moshiach being from the House of David, then talk it through with a Learned Rabbi. Examine your own point of view from an orthodox perspective and see if perhaps the reality isn't what you thought it was. I have been secular most of my life, and so I understand how you feel. But at the end of the day if you respect a person's right to be Jewish and Practice Judaism, then you should have-d a bit of compassion for the person's right to believe that the Torah is the direct word of G-d. Judaism commands me to do many things I am not always comfortable doing. But I do it because it is G's Will. Takes a real open mind to do such a thing, let me tell you. Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, ma October 15, 2010

roots matter I see that the word roots, what holds us up, the essence of support for the tree of life itself, are most important, and rootlessness, is a state of wandering, and often a journey, trying to find or re establish pre existing roots, in religion, in society, in family, in friendship. Life is about routes and there is an aural, surely, and deep, metaphoric connect here.

Jews were said to be wandering for a long time, and we did, from place to place, being forced this way and that, because oppression followed us, and we sought to establish roots and many, found their way to Israel, and founded a Jewish State.

But roots are for everyone, and we are discussing a tree, of many branches, a menorah if you will, because I see this, the menorah in all trees, and in aspects of vegetation everywhere.

There is a deep and ongoing, sacred connectivity to all life. I think in recognizing our brethren, we do breathe, and this story, ruah itself, is about breath, breathe, and breadth. Reply

Marshia Hollywood , Florida October 15, 2010

unwanted child What a wonderfully inspiring story ! I am a practicing Jew. This year my husband and I have been going to an Orthodox shul. Our Rabbi is from the Chabad movement. My husband and I have been learning so much from him. He gives us answers to the many questions that we have. Our congregation is small but we all look forward to attending services, as well as Torah study classes. We appreciate the loving encouragement that we receive. I hope that other Jewish people will become willing to learn about the spirituality found in our religion before they quickly are willing to give it up. Reply

Anonymous B via chabadbrisbane.com October 14, 2010

Sadly some are still lost though find their way ba It is truly wonderful & touching to me how a Jew may not lose or reconnect with his or her roots. Roots matter. Especially to a Jew.

But there is another story too & nobody speaks of this. What of the blood Jew who finds his or her way back, & knows it Joyfully & with conviction, but has no papers - it can happen? He or she is like a person with no birth certificate though people know of the reality of the birth. And there can be other "things" too, that attest to the truth.

Sometimes such a person cannot convert because of circumstances. Not that a conversion is strictly speaking necessary if the proof of Jewishness is found.

What of this JEWISH soul?

This happens too. Does it matter? Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, ma October 14, 2010

tipping the scales maybe it could be, me, that is. Thank you for your commentary referring to me, Yaakov of Crown Heights. I would actually rather defer this honor to others. I am one who values my privacy, deeply, and I would shrink from that "notoriety".

I happen to feel, about the Messiah, that it could happen to be anyone, Jew or non Jew, and that we are ALL souls and after all, we're talking about monotheism, One G_d, the same G_d for all, and it's rather egocentric to believe that it's always about the Jews, having the redemptive property of saving the world and bringing forward that Messianic time.

Whatever you believe, maybe arrogance is wrong, and maybe saying this, could be an arrow to the heart of a lot of people who are NOT Jewish.

If G_d is given a spokesperson, be it male, or be it female, and the rabbis seem set on this being a male, well, then, that person had better take on the entire world, and be humble, as Moses was said to be, amongst the most humble of men Reply

Aydeleh Ruchel albuquerque, nm October 14, 2010

many are returning to their jewish roots yes! there are many people here in NM that are finding out that they are really Jewish despite their christian families not only spanish ancestors but others as well, have met a few slavic people who are now locating their family trees and yes lo and behold they are jewish... thanks to Gd we have forgiveness and repentence and there is always a way back!

Many people are now returning to their Jewish roots! Reply

Yaakov Crown Heights, NY October 13, 2010

In regards to good and bad characterization The very foundation of Orthodox Judaism is the Torah. The Torah tells us what is Good and Bad. For the Jew to become or practice any other religion is a sin according to Torah. However, one can at any time, do Tshuva (repent) and return as a Jew. Jews are the batteries of the world that will ultimately bring Moshiach for all the nations. That is why losing Jews is bad for everyone including Christians, Muslims, Hindus or whatever. We are so close to redemption. Each Jew that practices Torah and Mitzvahs brings down the Godly life force into the entire world. We are at the point now where one Jew could tip the scales and bring redemption!!! This could be you... Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, MA October 13, 2010

on line: a commentary I read a commentary on this site, just now, about someone who said generations of family, had made a "bad choice" after the Orthodox grandfather converted to Christianity. I think it's unwise to characterize the choices of others as "good" or "bad". I live in a beautiful, diverse world, and rejoice in all forms of worship, be they Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Bahai, Zoroastrian or other.

Did these people make "bad choices"? They aren't Jews, but maybe, just maybe, the underlying spiritual truths that honor a deeper wellspring are the same.

I do not judge the choices of others, but yes, I can rejoice in my own and honor what I deeply feel and live. Reply

Linda Anthony Lawrenceville, Ga/USA October 13, 2010

unwanted child I found a lot of comfort in Psalms. I found much worth in Psalm 139. Perhaps Margaret will find her true value there too. Perhaps she will see her unique destiny. Perhaps she will find the freedom within herself to grow and be stronger than she ever dreamed. G-d is like that I have found. He truly turns (my) mourning into dancing--tears to joyl Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, ma October 12, 2010

out of life, and into life This was deeply moving, and you are right, from generation to generation.
Life has this uncanny way of opening, and also, closing doors.

I felt your words, as you so deeply felt them. Passion does communicate.

I woke in the night to read this, and when I woke I was thinking how interesting it is that we open doors inside us, as we also open doors on the outside, and that there seems to be a deep One ness to it all. Reply

Denise Rootenberg Toronto October 12, 2010

How did your mother overcome that? It must have been so damaging to be rejected so many times. And who raised them in the end? I'd like to know more about this story.

To Margaret Wilson - you sound like an amazing, brave and kind person. Kudos for raising this child and not giving up on Judaism or anything else. Reply

Chava Cohen Steilacoom, WA October 12, 2010

Lost Jews My Orthodox grandfather married a gentile in 1918. He converted to Christianity and now all the offspring of four subsequent generations are Christian or non religious. I, thank G-d, found my way back and became Orthodox .
One bad choice does affect lives forever. Reply

Linda Anthony Lawrenceville, Ga/USA October 12, 2010

the unwanted child Dear Sir: I found this story quite interesting. Your mother sounds like a very remarkable person. My faith is Christian, but I understand exactly what you are saying. The beauty, wisdom, order, and history of the Torah is amazing. I am constantly reading Psalms and Proverbs, Genesis and more. It is a true tragedy, that the Jewish people don't know this. Thank you for all (that each of) you have done to preserve the Holy Word. It truly blesses Jews and Christians alike. Reply

Anonymous S.Kingstown, RI October 12, 2010

Basic Judaism In my maternal family the rumor was that we were Jews. But the family came from the Azores -- Coversions, perhaps, and exiles from Europe? IT FEELS RIGHT; but I can find no proof -- in current times, say during the last century, they were indifferent Roman Catholics. Reply

Anonymous Palmer, AK October 11, 2010

Chaim! You are beautiful! Your mother is beautiful! Thank you for a great story! Reply

Margaret Wilson Chicago, IL October 11, 2010

The Unwanted Child I really became emotional in listening to the story of your sister. Even though my mother was a holocaust survivor, I was not raised Jewish because she was afraid that the same thing would happen here in America. Now, at 59, I am with a study partner and trying to learn as much about my heritage as I can. It is hard because I don't feel accepted by the Jewish community because my name is not Jewish (my father was from Norway and was one of the liberators of my Mom's camp. My family does not accept me because I am disabled and that is not acceptable in my family. I also feel rejected because I am lesbian raising an African American grandchild of my business partner while my biological family is racist. Out of 13 children, I am one of the only 5 surviving and the only one who identifies myself as Jewish. Yet, I go to the Jewish community centers and they tell me that I can't be Jewish. I feel that I constantly have to prove myself. Reply

Miriam Adahan Jerusalem, Israel October 11, 2010

THANK YOU What a beautiful, precious message. G-d bless you! Reply

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