GROWING UP JEWISH

On By Geri UngureanIn Growing up Jewish

I became a believer in Yeshua in 1983 at the age of 32.

I had searched for truth about this amazing man my whole life prior to that night in ’83.

Who could He be? Why did so many in the world follow Him?  But also, why was there so much persecution of my people in His name?

It was very confusing to me, but being so intrigued by Him, I pressed on to find TRUTH, no matter what the consequences.

Pioneer Girls

When I was around 7 years old, I began to understand that there were Christians who loved Jews. However, I found them to be few and far between. My friend from across the street, Joan Sladen, invited me to come to her church on Wednesday night to attend ‘Pioneer Girls.” Surprisingly, my parents agreed.

That did not last long. I suppose that my speaking the name of Jesus in my home put a stop to that. But at least I was introduced to the Creator of the Universe at a very young age. I believe that God had His hand on me – even then.

Moving to a more “Jewish” area (We thought)

I had been born in D.C. and when I was 5 years old, my father moved the family to a city in Maryland in which we Jews were in the vast minority. I learned all manner of anti-Semitic names in that place:

Dirty Jew, Kike, Christ killer, Penny pinching Jew were just a few names I was called.  

God’s Incredible Sense of Humor

Although very thin, God had given me an unusual gift. I could throw a football better than any of the boys in my neighborhood – a beautiful spiral right to the receiver.  The boys fought over which team I would quarterback.

There were two boys who called me despicable Jew-hating names. Being thin and wiry, I was also very strong. I would warn the boys that if they continued to call me those names, I would beat them up. Not heeding my warning, the boys would continue and I would make good on my promise. They would run home to tell ‘mommy’ what I had done. Their mothers would come outside and scream at me. They would call me the same names.

At least I knew where the boys learned the ignorant behavior.

My name was like a bullseye

My last name was Rosenberg. I had to endure teasing and being disparaged with remarks like:  “You don’t look Jewish”……”You don’t act Jewish” etc etc.

When I would dare ask what they meant, then the door opened for their hateful responses. It was always worse on the first day of school each year when our names were called out.  It was just something I had to live with, but I must say that being hated like that was very hard.

Holocaust images and laughter

My history teacher was teaching on the Holocaust and showed a documentary which included the piles of dead bodies of my people. I could hardly  breathe.

A few boys in back of me began to laugh at the images. My teacher scolded them but I ran out of the room – I didn’t want to cry in front of them.

Elsa – the German Girl

I got permission to go to a home of a friend I had made in school. I rode her bus home with her. In a while her father came into the kitchen with us. He asked Elsa to leave the room to talk to him.

Elsa came back out alone, and told me that I had to leave. She helped me gather my school books and sent me out the front door. I don’t even know how I got home that day. I had no idea where I was. Miraculously, I was walking in the right direction and saw part of my neighborhood.  God at work in my life – again.

My swim team and the Championships

Most swim clubs in our area were “Restricted” and that meant NO JEWS – NO BLACKS.  So, the Jews got together and built their own swim club. It was not ‘Restricted’ but no Gentiles would ever want to be around us.

Each year, the county had a swimming championship and invited all swim clubs – yes, even ours. Each team had an area in which to sit. We were placed at the back near the entrance gate.

We were not supposed to go into their cafeteria. Our team jackets had our insignia on them – so they knew who we were.  I decided to go in anyway. The looks I got! OY VEY!  But I felt a sense of accomplishment that day. I felt strong.

Tried to become Catholic!

In my twenties, I found a Catholic Church near to my home. I thought that perhaps these people were the holiest and I might find Jesus there. I met the priest and he asked me if I would like to come to Catholic instruction. I said yes, but each week as I showed up for this class, the priest acted as if he had never met me. He was quite old, but I thought to myself ‘how many Jewish girls came there wanting to be Catholic?’

I stopped going.

If I put in this article every Jew hating event in my life, the reader would become bored and not read to the end! Perhaps I should write a book….

So I will end here. I hope that this has given some readers a glimpse into what it is like Growing up Jewish!

HOW CAN I BE SAVED?

MARANATHA!!

15 thoughts on “GROWING UP JEWISH”

      1. We travelled similar roads though I’m a few years younger. Grew up in Dixie in SE Virginia. Know me and DC well as had family there and worked and lived there later.
        You covered many of the nasty things said to me growing up. I remember the country club real close that I wished we joined so I could go swimming with out needing parents transport as we joined one a distance away. I asked dad why we couldn’t switch and he said because Jews not allowed. Even my best friend in high school lived in a neighbourhood Jews not allowed. I’d go to his house and he’d come out but I’d dare not ever enter for fear of his parents by him.
        The antisemitism was bothersome enough that at age 17& 18 I spent summers in Israel on kibbutz and traveling too. I grew up and began to feel I was fine. As my self awareness grew, I despised Jesus and especially hated Catholics above all. In Israel a Jesus freak tried to convert me and held onto my shirt sleeve so I punched him saying I have Moses and don’t need any Jesus. Note that I’ve only punched someone 3 times in my life and 2 was in self defense.
        In 1972 I started dating a wonderful wholesome Jewish girl where togetherness was totally moral and good. After a while she told me she was in a new messianic congregation in Jesus and hoped I come to hear some good news. She also told how she lost most Jewish friends and her parents and siblings were not happy campers. But she loved Jesus and really loved me too. Our dating later ended as I did not wish to suffer what she suffered and serving God had become her life center.
        From there his point on year after year God put me in situations to fish me in, never with success but had a cumulative toll. Then in 1982 on my own, I read the bible the first time ever and God showed me that Jesus was messiah just screaming out from verses everywhere and I converted to Jesus then. I even baptised myself in a river and that is acceptable.
        Later I wondered why others reading the same passages couldn’t see ? God must reveal it at the right time.
        I think that while put blindness in part on Israel, how did God do that? Through Catholic and some protestant hate and falsehoods.
        All the anti Semitism America either evaporated or pulled back 1968 onwards and Jews came to Jesus faster from that year also. Christian love opened the door. It’s all due to the Jews six day war victory. No longer heard Jews stupidly entered the polish showers as weaklings but Jews now strong and respect came from image of strength.
        It’s all going away again because Israel won’t Annex its land so the bible illiterate think it’s not Israel’s land since they give land away.
        The Jesus freak I popped, I years later asked God to forgive me and bless that guy.

  2. Darline

    One of my father’s best friends from military days was Jewish. As a high school junior majorette, I was offered the senior majorette’s summer job, teaching baton to elementary girls at the Jewish Community Center. We had so much fun, & I got paid $5 an hour, a whole lot of money for a kid in 1962!
    As a young mother, my children in school, I got a part time morning job teaching in the Yeshiva, a reading instructor. I’ve had so many positive experiences with Jewish friends.I’ve felt blessed to have them. I’m sorry you met up with the wrong kind of people. From the time I was in 8th grade& read EXODUS (Leon Uris), I knew 2 things- Israel is special, and we are in an exciting time to be alive!
    Anyone who studies history has to be in awe of the long list of Jewish people who have contributed to Western civilization. It is out of all proportion to their numbers.

    2. Darline

      People, family, churches , ourselves, this world, all disappoint. But we keep going, seeking after the One Who never disappoints…
      We look forward with all our being, to be with Him& together with those of His flock. This world is not our home; we’re only passing through.

  4. Yvonne Knickerbocker

    I have no words to say except that I’m so sorry for their ignoance. Our family was Pentecostal, then Assembly of GOD. My ‘mama’ taught the young marrieds class & sometimes spoke in the pulpit. She was from Oklahoma (both parents were) & had a very strange theological mix of Zionism & replacementism. It was confusing, but my twin & I were taught huge respect for Jewish people. I remember meeting my first young Jewish woman hanging out on the streets of L.A. as a hippie at about 18. I was invited over to her family’s home for matso ball soup, which was simply chicken & dumplings to me. I got to know lots of Jewish people in those days. I loved them all. I could also write a book . . . but it would mostly not be Glorifying to HIM, so I long ago changed my plans for that.

    1. I will be writing part II of this article. I completely forgot the Antisemitism in 4 Baptist churches. We were shocked!! We have been churchless for over 4 years because of those churches.

  5. Thank you for sharing your story, Geri. I don’t remember anything like that in the area I grew up in. There were very few Black people at that time, but in high school one of my good friends was Black. I still keep in touch with her 60 + years later. I don’t remember knowing about any Jewish people back then except for those who owned the ladies’ dress shops, but when I moved during my early twenties for work, I met a couple of Jewish people and have always wished I knew them in more than a passing acquaintance.

  6. Ellen

    So glad you heard your Saviors call despite all the cruelties you encountered. I know it has cost you so very much. Grateful that you came to know that there are many loving Christians who receive you with wide open arms. One day God will remove all the pain and tears and bring us into perfect harmony with one another. Thank you for sharing, you are such an encouragement for so many! ❤️

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