Growing up Jewish in the South, being told ‘you’re going to hell’ is the norm

I can still remember the first time someone told me I was going to hell because I was Jewish.

It stung. I felt confused.

I couldn’t sleep that night because I believed them, until my mom carefully explained Jewish people don’t believe in hell.

I realized I was told I was going to hell with the best intentions. They were genuinely concerned and were trying to warn me before it was too late. And after being told I’m going to hell on numerous occasions, I eventually learned to shrug my shoulders and get over it.

Growing up Jewish in the South made me a minority. In fact, according to an article in the Economist, “less than 1% of the South’s population is Jewish.”

Before I delve in, let me say this: I’m not against Christians and the beliefs they hold. I’m not against any religion. To be honest, my experience growing up Jewish in the South has been overall positive. However, sometimes not so much.

As a Jewish Southerner, I believe that at times people are ignorant towards the Jewish faith.

The South isn’t called the “Bible Belt” for nothing. Religion is such a big part of the Southern lifestyle. So much so that whenever there is a large gathering of people before an event, there tends to be a group prayer. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a large event and the person leading the prayer will conclude with “In Jesus’s name we pray.”

Saying that among other believers of Jesus is one thing, but I feel it is disrespectful to say that in a setting where it isn’t entirely clear what the religious makeup of the audience is.

One experience that really caught me off guard was when I went to a long-time friend’s house for dinner with her family. Knowing I was Jewish, her father said a prayer out loud before the meal and then remarked: “We thank You that most of us here have a place in Your heaven.”

Now, I respect everyone’s beliefs, but I found that comment as a direct hit implying I wasn’t fit for heaven because of the faith I hold. They essentially told me I was going to hell, just in a more polite fashion.

By this point, I was used to being told I’m going to hell by strangers, but being told by family friends especially hurt.

If that is their belief, I respect that. After all, who am I to say I’m going to heaven? Who am I to say if a heaven out there even exists? But, to say the least, his prayer made for an awkward dinner.

Another experience that really troubled me was when I offered to pray before one of my club volleyball games. One of my teammates replied by saying: “You can’t pray. Jews don’t even believe in God.”

I responded politely by saying that Jewish people do, indeed, believe in God. The fact that she didn’t know that was shocking to me. It shows how oblivious some Southerners can be towards the Jewish faith because it is such a minority.

Sometimes Christian friends will find out about my beliefs and will take the time to try and show me Christ or get me to agree to attend their church with them. I like to think of myself as an open-minded person, I took the plunge and attended church on various occasions. But I found the experience just wasn’t for me.

I realize some of you out there may believe I am going to hell for being Jewish. I don’t hold that belief against you. I am not asking for you to become experts on Judaism.

I am just asking for a greater awareness of the Jewish faith and for the same respect for my beliefs as I give you for yours.