Am I ever going to find solace?

[dave92]

Hello again CA.

A little bit of background about myself - I’m a Sephardi Israeli Jew, born and raised. I will be turning 20 this fall and despite not having held the bible in my hands for a couple of years now, I still can’t take this off my mind.

My problem is that I’m not sure that my interest in conversion to Catholicism is for the right reasons. On one hand I would be lying if I said that being a Christian in Israel is an advantage, for obvious reasons, I guess. On the other, I can’t forget how elated I was to read about Jesus and even tell my friends about Him. I’ve been in some sort of an emotional turmoil regarding my life, but mostly my faith, for quite some time now. I’m not a practicing Jew but I respect my parents, which is also the reason why I’m not keeping a bible. Both my father and elder brother actively practice Judaism, and me and my mother have been keeping this entire deal in secret from them.

The prospect of needing to share this with my father is agonizing. I can’t help but feel that I’m disappointing him by not showing interest Judaism anymore. Then there is also the fact that I haven’t even established my life in my current religion, and I already consider starting a new life in another religion. It all seems too uncertain and I can’t find the faith to simply toss everything away and become a Christian rather than fret about how I dislike being Jewish. Will Jewish women still be interested in me? Will their families oppose to their daughter having a relationship with a Christian convert? My (then) Catholic friend was in a situation like this. Would I be a foreigner in my own birthplace? I got nowhere else to go. I’m probably going ahead way too fast, but these are things I can’t help but be troubled by.

There is also the less religious bit which is politics. I’ve always wanted to see the world and feel that I’m a part of it. As weird as it may seem, I don’t think I can accomplish that as a Jew. Maybe I’m letting the internet trolls (and there are tons) get to me, or maybe I’m just neurotic and need to seek mental help, but I simply dislike my national and religious identities as they are.

I’m truly sorry for the lenght, and if you bothered to read this then I’m thankful. I’m not expecting any miraculous answers to my problems, I just wanted to share it with people who might understand. I don’t think there are any Hebrew speaking churches around here, so simply going to a church on my own accord and start blabbering my broken English to the priest doesn’t come off as very attractive to me.

 

[504Katrin]

Dave, this is what you really should consider doing.

Do not convert.
Talk to your father. Don’t be afraid. He will understand you.
Then go and talk with a Rabbi.

Everything else I LONG to say would be my personal opinion only so I spare you from that. Go and please talk with a Rabbi.

 

[St_Francis]

here are some folks who may be able to help you out: hebrewcatholic.org/ Association of Hebrew Catholics.

I heard one of the founding members speak (David Moss, iirc–his sister is Rosalind Moss who has a great conversion story on EWTN as well as several talks) and he seemed very kind and knowledgeable.

Catholicism is the fulfillment of Judaism, so if you can get a handle on that aspect, which these people may be able to help you do, it might help with your father.

You have a great love for your family, and that is good, but God has to come first, no?

Also, fwiw, to me it looks like you have *two *problems: one is the issue of wanting to convert, and the other being the issue of your identity. Prayer will be a good help to each of them.

 

[Carolus_Martell]

** On one hand I would be lying if I said that being a Christian in Israel is an advantage, for obvious reasons,**

You mean that we as Catholics can visit the same places that Jesus walked, right? Or is there other reasons? I ask because I’m thinking of immigrating there and thought it would be an uphill battle.

As far as converting goes… I dunno.

I firmly believe that the Jews are still ‘the apple of Gods eye’ and you should too. Did you ever look into any Messianic congregations over there? That way you’re a Jew that believes in Jesus… that’s hard to trump in my way of thinking.

 

[ancailindeas]

I cannot believe how some Catholics are answering this young man’s question. You need to convert. Judaism is a dead religion and those in Judaism that are saved are saved in spite of their Judaism not because of it. Christ died that you and every else might be saved. I realise how big a deal it is to convert to Catholicism being both Jewish and Israeli. It may be very painful with your family. I know that is no small matter but God will help you with this.

I would urge you to convert and seek out a Catholic priest who preaches orthodoxy. If you pm me I will try to find out the names of some priests in Israel. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[amar_patel]

My parents are Hindu and practiicing. I was agnostic growing up throughout high school and converted to Catholicism in college. Telling my parents was heart wrenching and difficult. They did not take it well, especially my father. Our relationship is pretty good now, mainly because of grand kids, and I choose to ignore religious discussions to not reopen old wounds. There are so many ways that can go.

I could not live without Jesus in the center of my life so I had to take the risk. If you feel that call in your soul, I don’t see how talking to a rabbi is going to help you. What is your torment? Telling your father? Pray with Our Lady and walk with Jesus for comfort. I lived without the sacraments for two years as I went through a discernment and RCIA process. It may take longer but if the Lord is calling you, you cannot deny him.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

My two cents: When deciding whether or not to convert, there is really only one question that matters - is it true? Determine whether or not it is true, then worry about the rest.

Sure there will be hardships, and there have been some good suggestions on how to deal with those, but if it’s true then you don’t want to stand before God and say you chose not to follow Him because it would make you uncomfortable.

Likewise, do not convert because the internet idiots have gotten to you about Judaism or because you feel that converting to Christianity would better enable you to see the world. If Judaism is correct, then you would not want to stand before God and tell Him you abandoned the covenant of your fathers because it didn’t seem cool or worldly enough.

I’m certainly not trying to trivialize your concerns at all. Telling your father will be hard and dealing with the internet idiots who for some reason like to insult God’s chosen people can’t be easy either. You’ll have hardships and conflicts whichever way you go. But as real and as painful as these issues must be, the question of God rises above all of that.

So - is it true?

 

[acacia12]

Dave, this is what you really should consider doing.

Do not convert.
Talk to your father. Don’t be afraid. He will understand you.
Then go and talk with a Rabbi.

Everything else I LONG to say would be my personal opinion only so I spare you from that. Go and please talk with a Rabbi.

I agree

 

[Vouthon]

Brother Dave

I am pleased to meet you. I am 20 years old, just turned barely over a month ago, so we are practically the same age.

“Nothing is so intrinsically a matter of free will as religion”, said the Church Father Lactantius, and so I rejoice when I see a person who has the courage to follow the dictates of their conscience.

God Bless you dear brother! You already have your baptism by desire.

I am honoured when I see the Lord calling a member of the Jewish people, his own beloved nation, to the fullness of Truth and to the Messiah of Israel.

I do not see you as “converting”. The Jewish faith is divinely revealed and Jesus was the Messiah that fufilled the Tanakh. He did not create a new religion, he merely completed the one, true, eternal religion of God spoken through the Jewish prophets. You are still a Jew and will always be a Jew. You need not give up your adherence to Torah and mitzvot. You need not deny any aspect of your Jewish faith. You are more Jewish for now believing in your own Jewish Messiah and Lord.

Jesus, Paul and all the first Apostles were observant Jews. We are saved not by the Torah but through faith in Christ, nonetheless, the Torah is still a valid covenant. It is eternal. A Jew can still be Torah-observant.

Watch the videos in this thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=598089

I learned a lot from listening to this 2010 interview. Association of Hebrew Catholics President David Moss interviewed Archbishop Raymond L Burke in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Aug 5, 2010, on the topic of the election and vocation of the Jewish people within the Catholic Church. The recorded interview was shown at the first AHC Conference in St. Louis on Oct 1-3. Archbishop Burke is the Prefect for the Apostolic Signatura and thus the highest judicial authority in the Church under the Pope.

It comes in 5 parts. Cardinal Burke explains that Jewish Catholics need not renounce Torah but can still be Torah-observant and retain their Jewish faith.

Also see this thread, where I speak of Catholic Sacred Tradition and Jewish Oral Torah: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=593408

I would like you to watch another video. I think it will help you considerably.

Its a video where a young Jewish girl tells Saint Josemaria Escriva (9 1902 –1975), the founder of Opus Dei, that her desire to become a Catholic was causing problems with her parents.

Instead of encouraging her conversion, Escriva advised the girl to honor her parents and told her not to convert - but rather to follow the teachings of Christ in her heart, respect her parents good wishes and be patient, and that eventually her parents should come around and allow her to follow her chosen path. The open-mindedness of this man is very powerful and moving. I would advise you too take his advice and apply it in your situation. He says that she already has her baptism by desire.

This will take time. Don’t rush it.

Its not easy for parents of a certain religion to see one of their children pursuing a different path. It must be especially hard for Jewish parents with children such as yourself wishing to become Catholic. Go easy on them.

youtube.com/watch?v=34vJiib7kzs

I think the advice applies directly to you as well. It is really a beautiful short video clip.

Here’s the transcript:

In Chile, in 1974, in a gathering of hundreds of people, a Jewish girl asks the Founder of Opus Dei about the Catholic faith.

Jewish Girl: “I’m Jewish, but I believe in the Catholic religion. And I would like… my most fervent wish is to convert to Catholicism, but I am a minor, and my parents won’t let me.”

Saint Josemaria: "Look, I am going to tell you something that will make you very happy. I - and I learned this from this son of mine… I must tell you that the first love of my life is a Jew: Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth - a member of your race! And the second love of my life is Mary most holy, Virgin and Mother, Mother of the Jewish man Jesus, and my Mother and your Mother. Do you like that? And then, I must tell you to be very good toward your parents, to be patient, to pray. Don’t make any gestures of rebellion. Is that clear?

Jewish Girl"Yes, Father".

Saint Josemaria: And the Lord of Nazareth, Jesus the Jew, Jesus the King of all hearts and all wills, will move your parents to let you follow calmly and serenely the path that you already have hidden in your soul, that “vita abscondita cum Christo in Deo” [life hidden with Christ in God, cf. Col. 3:3]. Isn’t that right? Love your parents a lot. OK?

Jewish Girl: “Yes, Father.”

Saint Josemaria: "And in the meantime, go on learning the teachings of Jesus Christ, and pray. Pray, my daughter. You already have your baptism of desire. Pray. And never a word of criticism against your parents. Because this is very clear: you have to love them with all your soul and show it with deeds. OK?

Jewish Girl: “Yes, Father”.

Saint Josemaria: “You will be a good daughter of Christ, if you are a good daughter of your parents. Thank you”.

 

[Gods_Peace]

Their is nothing wrong with being a Jew. The only thing Better is being a fulfilled Jew.

 

[dave92]

Dave, this is what you really should consider doing.

Do not convert.
Talk to your father. Don’t be afraid. He will understand you.
Then go and talk with a Rabbi.

Everything else I LONG to say would be my personal opinion only so I spare you from that. Go and please talk with a Rabbi.

Wouldn’t a rabbi try to change my mind completely? It sounds to me like going to a priest and asking him if I should remain Jewish. Should I see if he manages to convince me against conversion?

I didn’t say I was going to convert tomorrow, just that it’s been bothering me on and off for a good couple of years now.

** On one hand I would be lying if I said that being a Christian in Israel is an advantage, for obvious reasons,**

You mean that we as Catholics can visit the same places that Jesus walked, right? Or is there other reasons? I ask because I’m thinking of immigrating there and thought it would be an uphill battle.

As far as converting goes… I dunno.

I firmly believe that the Jews are still ‘the apple of Gods eye’ and you should too. Did you ever look into any Messianic congregations over there? That way you’re a Jew that believes in Jesus… that’s hard to trump in my way of thinking.

I meant that socially, being Jewish is easier. Though that’s a matter of convenience and not faith. It’s harder to convert to another religion when there is a “mainstream” religion.

I’m not very much into Messianic Judaism. It would make very little difference to my family and the people around me, and I’ve never been a practicing Jew. It’s a bit tough for me to leave Judaism because I grew with it, but I guess that’s what every person feels about his native religion when he considers converting to another. I don’t feel attached to the Torah or anything like that, though. Never have been.

About the immigration part - I’m clueless when it comes to that. If you ever do come to live here, Jerusalem, Nazareth or Jaffa (my town, for whoever asked) are probably your best bets as they have a sizable Catholic community.

My two cents: When deciding whether or not to convert, there is really only one question that matters - is it true? Determine whether or not it is true, then worry about the rest.

Sure there will be hardships, and there have been some good suggestions on how to deal with those, but if it’s true then you don’t want to stand before God and say you chose not to follow Him because it would make you uncomfortable.

Likewise, do not convert because the internet idiots have gotten to you about Judaism or because you feel that converting to Christianity would better enable you to see the world. If Judaism is correct, then you would not want to stand before God and tell Him you abandoned the covenant of your fathers because it didn’t seem cool or worldly enough.

I’m certainly not trying to trivialize your concerns at all. Telling your father will be hard and dealing with the internet idiots who for some reason like to insult God’s chosen people can’t be easy either. You’ll have hardships and conflicts whichever way you go. But as real and as painful as these issues must be, the question of God rises above all of that.

So - is it true?

It seems like I need to keep thinking, or start praying, or I don’t know what. Something is holding me back but I can’t put my finger on it. The only thing I know for sure right now is that I’m Jewish only by name, not by deeds.

I read each and every reply so even if I don’t answer back I still appreciate all of your (name removed by moderator)ut, guys. Thanks.

 

[Trishie]

You are right to question any proposed conversion if you feel that your attraction to another faith is perhaps not authentic but intermixed with self-interest and a degree of boredom and grass is greener in another pasture syndrome that is not unsual in a young person your age. .

Maybe it is greener. We think so. But you need to know so.

Do you believe Jesus is the promised Messiah or not?
Are you just rejecting Judaism as a youthful rebellion and out of boredom with the religion that as you agree, you are not studying and the bible you are not reading and haven’t read for two years?

If you haven’t had a bible in your hands, does this also mean you haven’t read the New Testament? That you don’t actually know who Jesus is and what He teaches?
The Holy Spirit of God is of love, grace, inspiration, and truth.
Truth.
Authenticity.
If God is inspiring you to seek Jesus, then that’s a wonderful gift.
But please let it be a search based on integrity rather than a wish to escape what you partially dismiss, or an understandable, youthful search for novelty and freedom, as if it is only primarily the latter then your parents will suffer great hurt, and you fall between two stools.

May God guide you, and if the Lord Jesus is drawing you into His life and church, then God grant it will be so.

 

[NorthTexan88]

I cannot believe how some Catholics are answering this young man’s question. You need to convert. Judaism is a dead religion and those in Judaism that are saved are saved in spite of their Judaism not because of it. Christ died that you and every else might be saved. I realise how big a deal it is to convert to Catholicism being both Jewish and Israeli. It may be very painful with your family. I know that is no small matter but God will help you with this.

I would urge you to convert and seek out a Catholic priest who preaches orthodoxy. If you pm me I will try to find out the names of some priests in Israel. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[dave92]

You are right to question any proposed conversion if you feel that your attraction to another faith is perhaps not authentic but intermixed with self-interest and a degree of boredom and grass is greener in another pasture syndrome that is not unsual in a young person your age. .

Maybe it is greener. We think so. But you need to know so.

Do you believe Jesus is the promised Messiah or not?
Are you just rejecting Judaism as a youthful rebellion and out of boredom with the religion that as you agree, you are not studying and the bible you are not reading." and haven’t read for two years?

If you haven’t had a bible in your hands, does this also mean you haven’t read the New Testament? That you don’t actually know who Jesus is and what He teaches?
The Holy Spirit of God is of love, grace, inspiration, and truth.
Truth.
Authenticity.
If God is inspiring you to seek Jesus, then that’s a wonderful gift.
But please let it be a search based on integrity rather than a wish to escape what you partially dismiss, or an understandable, youthful search for novelty and freedom, as if it is only primarily the latter then your parents will suffer great hurt, and you fall between two stools.

May God guide you, and if the Lord Jesus is drawing you into His life and church, then God grant it will be so.

Well, for one, I don’t really differentiate between the terms “God” and “Jesus” anymore. I’m really treading on thin ice with my replies here, but they have more or less the same thing for me. It’s sort of “if it’s not Jesus then who else could it be?” kind of feel. I think that’s a yes?

I’m not rejecting Judaism because I want to rebel against anyone. I think I’m past that age now. In fact I’m not rejecting it as a whole, either, I’m simply rejecting its rejection of Christianity as a continuation of Judaism.

What I meant is that I haven’t had the New Testament in two years. I got exposed to Christianity proper when I borrowed it from my school library as a high school freshman (the time of my regisration date to CA), but my mother was against it so after a few days of holding onto it still I decided to respect her request and return it. I tried reading the NT online and on my smartphone but I just hate reading e-books, even if they are the Bible itself, but as I said my mother opposes to that and I guess it’s her right to do so.

I’d like to believe that my search is based on integrity, because otherwise I wouldn’t care about the things I read in the NT for 2 years later. I can’t deny that there is also some sort of novelty in belonging to the largest religion in the world, but it’s not that. I could sit with a Catholic person and let them speak about His greatness all day long, but unless I feel that there is something true in their words no amount of religious “propaganda” would help. I believe the things I read in the Gospels to be true, and I don’t know why, that’s the reason I keep looking.

 

[Dorothy]

I cannot believe how some Catholics are answering this young man’s question. You need to convert. Judaism is a dead religion and those in Judaism that are saved are saved in spite of their Judaism not because of it. Christ died that you and every else might be saved. I realise how big a deal it is to convert to Catholicism being both Jewish and Israeli. It may be very painful with your family. I know that is no small matter but God will help you with this.

I would urge you to convert and seek out a Catholic priest who preaches orthodoxy. If you pm me I will try to find out the names of some priests in Israel. I will keep you in my prayers.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Trishie]

Thanks for your clarification. Your first post seemed less clear.
Then may God guide and give you courage.
And may God bless your parents and you in this difficult choice and path.
You would be far from the only Jew who found himself in the position of recognizing Jesus as the Lord, yet found it painful. Saul, now St Paul, had actually persecuted Christians, had many women and men cast into prison for their Christian conversions, and Saul also had stood by holing the cloaks of those who stoned St Stephen to death for his conversion to Christianity.
To turn around and become a great apostle of Jesus was surely difficult.

Here is one Jew who is now a Saint of the Catholic Church

ewtn.com/faith/edith_stein.htm

 

[eightandsand]

Hello again CA.

A little bit of background about myself - I’m a Sephardi Israeli Jew, born and raised. I will be turning 20 this fall and despite not having held the bible in my hands for a couple of years now, I still can’t take this off my mind.

My problem is that I’m not sure that my interest in conversion to Catholicism is for the right reasons. On one hand I would be lying if I said that being a Christian in Israel is an advantage, for obvious reasons, I guess. On the other, I can’t forget how elated I was to read about Jesus and even tell my friends about Him. I’ve been in some sort of an emotional turmoil regarding my life, but mostly my faith, for quite some time now. I’m not a practicing Jew but I respect my parents, which is also the reason why I’m not keeping a bible. Both my father and elder brother actively practice Judaism, and me and my mother have been keeping this entire deal in secret from them.

The prospect of needing to share this with my father is agonizing. I can’t help but feel that I’m disappointing him by not showing interest Judaism anymore. Then there is also the fact that I haven’t even established my life in my current religion, and I already consider starting a new life in another religion. It all seems too uncertain and I can’t find the faith to simply toss everything away and become a Christian rather than fret about how I dislike being Jewish. Will Jewish women still be interested in me? Will their families oppose to their daughter having a relationship with a Christian convert? My (then) Catholic friend was in a situation like this. Would I be a foreigner in my own birthplace? I got nowhere else to go. I’m probably going ahead way too fast, but these are things I can’t help but be troubled by.

There is also the less religious bit which is politics. I’ve always wanted to see the world and feel that I’m a part of it. As weird as it may seem, I don’t think I can accomplish that as a Jew. Maybe I’m letting the internet trolls (and there are tons) get to me, or maybe I’m just neurotic and need to seek mental help, but I simply dislike my national and religious identities as they are.

I’m truly sorry for the lenght, and if you bothered to read this then I’m thankful. I’m not expecting any miraculous answers to my problems, I just wanted to share it with people who might understand. I don’t think there are any Hebrew speaking churches around here, so simply going to a church on my own accord and start blabbering my broken English to the priest doesn’t come off as very attractive to me.

Jesus Christ is the fullfillment of the Old Testament Propehcies. He is the Messiah. He is God Incarnate. But the fact that He was not a political messiah dissappointed many in the olden days.

Only by following Emmanuel and The Church that He established can one fully participate in the life of Grace, the Sacramental life. Without the Sacraments (most importantly the Eucharist), we can never be truly happy in this life.

I went for years (as a materialist) trying to live life on my terms and according to my will. It can’t be done. In the end, one will either despair or fly to the Truth.

 

[Kaninchen]

I’d like to believe that my search is based on integrity, because otherwise I wouldn’t care about the things I read in the NT for 2 years later. I can’t deny that there is also some sort of novelty in belonging to the largest religion in the world, but it’s not that. I could sit with a Catholic person and let them speak about His greatness all day long, but unless I feel that there is something true in their words no amount of religious “propaganda” would help. I believe the things I read in the Gospels to be true, and I don’t know why, that’s the reason I keep looking.

Well, speaking as a Jew who grew up in ‘Christianworld’, the question of what the NT actually represents is something that you need to come to terms with. Christians grow up with it and view everything through its lens, if you talk to them about it, that’s what you’ll get, there is no alternative narrative - quite a lot of it has entered into the very language in Christian societies, even I’m given to saying things like ‘through a glass darkly’.

Unfortunately, not many of us spend enough time on the subject to really talk about it which is why anti-missionary sites tend to get bogged down with arguing about Christian proof texts (supposed Messiah predictions), I’d suggest, rather than deconstructing the NT itself.

Perhaps you need to read it and read it carefully, keep asking yourself the question of whether it is, as Christians believe, ‘reportage’ or whether it’s a ‘construct’.

 

[ancailindeas]

Wouldn’t a rabbi try to change my mind completely? It sounds to me like going to a priest and asking him if I should remain Jewish. Should I see if he manages to convince me against conversion?

I didn’t say I was going to convert tomorrow, just that it’s been bothering me on and off for a good couple of years now.

I meant that socially, being Jewish is easier. Though that’s a matter of convenience and not faith. It’s harder to convert to another religion when there is a “mainstream” religion.

I’m not very much into Messianic Judaism. It would make very little difference to my family and the people around me, and I’ve never been a practicing Jew. It’s a bit tough for me to leave Judaism because I grew with it, but I guess that’s what every person feels about his native religion when he considers converting to another. I don’t feel attached to the Torah or anything like that, though. Never have been.

About the immigration part - I’m clueless when it comes to that. If you ever do come to live here, Jerusalem, Nazareth or Jaffa (my town, for whoever asked) are probably your best bets as they have a sizable Catholic community.

It seems like I need to keep thinking, or start praying, or I don’t know what. Something is holding me back but I can’t put my finger on it. The only thing I know for sure right now is that I’m Jewish only by name, not by deeds.

I read each and every reply so even if I don’t answer back I still appreciate all of your (name removed by moderator)ut, guys. Thanks.

Hello Dave,
I got you some information - I cannot pm you I don’t know why.

I have heard of a very good Catholic priest who is a Jewish convert in France and I have emailed him to see if he speaks English (I do not know if you speak French). I am awaiting his response. I will contact you via the this site if I get information from him.

Also a friend of mine has suggested a book by Judith Cabaud (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Cabaud). There is also the work ‘Pillar of Fire’ by Karl Stern, I think.
The truth is you are being led to the Church. Please do not listen to those that would have you stay where you are - its not the right advice - whether these people realise it or not.

Without the Church you will not have access to the sacraments and the sacraments are essential to the spiritual life.

Please make contact again if you need more information .

Kind regards

 

[ancailindeas]

Brother Dave

I am pleased to meet you. I am 20 years old, just turned barely over a month ago, so we are practically the same age.

“Nothing is so intrinsically a matter of free will as religion”, said the Church Father Lactantius, and so I rejoice when I see a person who has the courage to follow the dictates of their conscience.

God Bless you dear brother! You already have your baptism by desire.

I am honoured when I see the Lord calling a member of the Jewish people, his own beloved nation, to the fullness of Truth and to the Messiah of Israel.

I do not see you as “converting”. The Jewish faith is divinely revealed and Jesus was the Messiah that fufilled the Tanakh. He did not create a new religion, he merely completed the one, true, eternal religion of God spoken through the Jewish prophets. You are still a Jew and will always be a Jew. You need not give up your adherence to Torah and mitzvot. You need not deny any aspect of your Jewish faith. You are more Jewish for now believing in your own Jewish Messiah and Lord.

Jesus, Paul and all the first Apostles were observant Jews. We are saved not by the Torah but through faith in Christ, nonetheless, the Torah is still a valid covenant. It is eternal. A Jew can still be Torah-observant.

Watch the videos in this thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=598089

I learned a lot from listening to this 2010 interview. Association of Hebrew Catholics President David Moss interviewed Archbishop Raymond L Burke in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Aug 5, 2010, on the topic of the election and vocation of the Jewish people within the Catholic Church. The recorded interview was shown at the first AHC Conference in St. Louis on Oct 1-3. Archbishop Burke is the Prefect for the Apostolic Signatura and thus the highest judicial authority in the Church under the Pope.

It comes in 5 parts. Cardinal Burke explains that Jewish Catholics need not renounce Torah but can still be Torah-observant and retain their Jewish faith.

Also see this thread, where I speak of Catholic Sacred Tradition and Jewish Oral Torah: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=593408

I would like you to watch another video. I think it will help you considerably.

Its a video where a young Jewish girl tells Saint Josemaria Escriva (9 1902 –1975), the founder of Opus Dei, that her desire to become a Catholic was causing problems with her parents.

Instead of encouraging her conversion, Escriva advised the girl to honor her parents and told her not to convert - but rather to follow the teachings of Christ in her heart, respect her parents good wishes and be patient, and that eventually her parents should come around and allow her to follow her chosen path. The open-mindedness of this man is very powerful and moving. I would advise you too take his advice and apply it in your situation. He says that she already has her baptism by desire.

This will take time. Don’t rush it.

Its not easy for parents of a certain religion to see one of their children pursuing a different path. It must be especially hard for Jewish parents with children such as yourself wishing to become Catholic. Go easy on them.

youtube.com/watch?v=34vJiib7kzs

I think the advice applies directly to you as well. It is really a beautiful short video clip.

Here’s the transcript:

This is not good advice. I imagine this advice may have been appropriate to a minor because still under her parents care etc. This man has reached his majority. He does not need to be hard on his family - quite the opposite but Christ Himself said that His Name would set mother against daughter and so on. God has to come first and please do not think for a minute I am advocating any disrespect of his family. It is a question of a hierarchy of values, that is all. A soul is very precious. This man’s soul is precious to God and Our Lord wants him in the Church - as this is His express desire for all people. I understand you mean well but your advice is dangerous and the above example does not pertain in essence to Dave’s case.

Regards,
Cailindeas