Sassy Queen,

I agree that there is far less violence against Jews today in USA and Europe. The Nazi era in central Europe was probably the worst in terms of sheer numbers of Jews killed. Plus advanced technology was being used to do medieval-style dirty work.

Even in USA Jews had some restrictions, even wealthy Jews were not accepted in powerful social circles. Some Jews were lynched or beaten by the Klan, and even today are an object of hatred by certain angry White Power groups.

Sorry, but I must blame the leaders of Christendom who laid the groundwork during the Dark Ages for European gentiles to fear and hate Jews.

Their hatred and ensuing atrocities (beatings, burning our places of worship, arrests, torture, burnings at the stake, mass exile, nasty stereotypes), had a foundation in what they learned from their priests and ministers.

I also believe the Vatican did little to help Jews during the 30s and 40s, and did not care about genocide taking place. Several popes were openly anti-Semitic.

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Orthodox, Conservative, Reform: These are some basic categories of modern Judaism. My family tends to adhere to the moderate Conservative tradition. It's a matter of degree. How far must one go in keeping Torah, for example? You'll see different answers among different Jews.

There are many examples. Clothing: ultra-orthodox (including Hassidim), are circumspect about the cloth used to make their garments, the food they eat, attendance at worship services, etc. They are highly ritualistic.

They reject birth control, and have strict segregation of the sexes in public places. Some of this can seem fanatical.

At the other extreme, there are Jews in name only. They have virtually no religious beliefs, no solid assurance that a god exists. But their blood lines are definitely Jewish, so that is what they are.

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Thanks for the compliment concerning my Father. I wish he were here today.