Frustrated but not defeated…

24 Sep 2011 4 Comments

by allofasuddenpartJew in Uncategorized Tags: , ,

Last week, my mom’s DNA results came back. I took one look at it and thought this can’t be right.  She is showing to be 1/2 Japanese.

I’m getting a little frustrated right now as 2 DNA tests have come back empty….no signs of Jewish heritage.  Many thoughts are going through my head….Should I continue my search? Am I really part Jewish? Why do I care so much? etc. etc. etc.

I thought through some alternative methods to find and trace my Jewish ancestor.  23andme has a great online community.  I started a thread re: Chinese people with some Jewish heritage.  I got some great feedback from folks who are DNA experts. To my surprise, there is software that I can use to do additional/personal analysis on my raw DNA data.

Another method is to travel to China and do some field research, testing, and analysis.  Friends have given me names of China Jew experts, Israeli China Jewish tour organizers, and last but not least, I have a cousin who works for the Chinese government who I can possibly ask for help.

I’m really passionate about this.  Though frustrated with a few setbacks, I will not give up.  Quitting something that I’m passionate about is not what I’m about.  This journey will be continued……;)

(me in Hong Kong on a red junk)

To birthright or not to birthright, that is the question.

31 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

At my regular job in the finance industry, I have a lot of Jewish or quasi-Jewish co-workers.

In passing conversation with our Intern one day, whose dad is Jewish, mentioned to me the Taglit-Birthright Israel organization.  I googled it when I got home and below is a quick summary from their site of what they do:

“Taglit-Birthright Israel provides a gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26 from around the world. Taglit Birthright Israel is a unique partnership between private philanthropists through The Birthright Israel Foundation; the people of Israel through the Government of Israel; and Jewish communities around the world (North American Jewish Federations, Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel).”

Well, I am not in their age range but I did discover “some” Jewish heritage, however small… I wonder if I should apply? How do you prove if you have Jewish heritage or not, I certainly do not look Jewish.

Next steps, I will be checking out their events and going to meet some people involved with this organization.  More to come!

Chinese and Jewish Mahjongg Wars…

28 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

So, another week has gone by and my Jewish event of the week was, believe it or not MahJongg!

The AJC of San Francisco and the AsianWeek Foundation co-hosted a Chinese Jewish MahJongg event that I attended last night.

There were about 150 total players. It was my virgin Mahjongg experience, believe it or not. I was at the learner’s table and met a few interesting Chinese and Jewish beginners. We had a wonderful teacher named Toby Alice Salk. She taught the basics: i.e. the pieces involved, the rules, and the American or Jewish style of play. Jewish style mahjongg was a bit of surprise so I ask how it made it to the USA. Apparently, a business man brought it back to NYC from China back in the 1800′s. I really need to catch up on history – which I find so fascinating. We also got to preview a short documentary called “Tiles that Bind” that documents Jewish and Chinese ladies playing mahjongg together.

Until next time….;)

Join me on my journey to solve the mystery of my family….

15 Jul 2011 6 Comments

by allofasuddenpartJew in Uncategorized, USA Tags: , , , , , , , ,

My first blog at 29 years old. I am behind the times in the internet and digital age. It is never too late to start and catch up.

So, Allofasuddenpartjew project is now official. I have my official blog, twitter, and who knows what else will come up in this upcoming exciting journey.

My journey starts in San Francisco, California where I discovered my family has some non-Chinese blood. It turned out to be Jewish of all groups. Now I’m hungry for more knowledge on Jews, Jewish culture, history, and beliefs while furthering Chinese and Jewish relations without politics.

More info to come!

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