Jewish Scene
US Jews wondering: Will Chelsea Clinton convert?
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 15.07.10, 16:28
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
84 Talkbacks for this article
1. Chelsea CLinton
austin ,   LA, USA   (07.15.10)
As a "US Jew", no one cares is Chelsea Clinton is converting. In fact, we are wondering why Mezvinsky is marrying her. Must be because both their fathers are disgraced; one is a felon and the other impeached, disbarred womanizer.
2. Only if she becomes Orthodox
David ,   Boston   (07.15.10)
I want to see Chelsea wearing a shadel, with at least 6 children following her when she walks to shul. As we all know, this is the only acceptable form of Jewishness in Israel, and her mother approves of everything Israel does. I hope mom sits down and has a fierce heart-to-heart talk with her.
3.  If we are so wonderful,why not Bill&Hilary ,also?
Roland Seener ,   London England   (07.15.10)
4. Sure Chelsea welcome too the family.Its
Eric...... ,   Israel.....   (07.15.10)
not easy being Jewish in this world.But if you have sense of humor the whole world is JEWISH. Mazal tov
5. Who really gives a flying fig if she does or doesnt
Al   (07.15.10)
A mise shiksa..if there ever was one. The yiddle marrying her has got dung for brains.
6. Why convert?
Brod ,   USA   (07.15.10)
Chelsea already worships the GOD of Israel that Jesus teaches His disciples to do.
7. Chelsea
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.15.10)
Why is the father,Ed Mezvinsky with his past, more of a Jew than Chelsea ?,being a northern Jew,can sombody explain the difference between christian Methodists and Southern Baptists,does it have to do somthing with the civil war between the north and the south ?,and did any of the Clintons had to convert,in order to have a clergyman officiate ?.
8. To #2
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (07.15.10)
Expecting for Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump to turn into good Jews is like sprinkling holy water on pork chops and calling them kosher :-)
9. Capers Funnye could be the Rabbi
Berl ,   formely of Seattle   (07.15.10)
Thats Michelle Obama's first cousin once removed, Then he can convert Bill so he can marry Monica (if she is really Jewish) and we can find Hillary a nice Jewish boy, maybe Axelrod, or Rahm, oh sorry one shellfish fressing shiksa is enough for Rahm
10. #6, Brod
E ,   Al Khobar, KSA   (07.15.10)
No, Brod, Chelsea worships Jesus, who is NOT the G_d of Israel. Chelsea prays to Jesus, which the last time I checked, is NOT what Jacob taught.
11. No need to convert - Christians get Judism anyhow
Andrew ,   Miami,FL   (07.15.10)
12. To #7 :-)
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (07.15.10)
I can't tell you the big differences between Methodists and Southern Baptists, but here's how my late husband tried to explain it: Methodists have no problem with an occasional drink and dancing, while both of those are strictly forbidden for Southern Baptists, because, “Southern Baptists might get tipsy, start to dance and have the whole world think they're having sex standing up.” Of course, there are a few others... Three little boys were upset, because they couldn't get anyone to play with them. They decided it was because they had not been baptized and didn't go to Sunday school. So, they went to the nearest church to remedy the situation. Only the janitor was there, to whom they explained, "We need to be baptized, because no one will come out and play with us. Will you baptize us?" "Sure," said the janitor. He took them into the bathroom and dunked their heads into the toilet bowl, one at a time. Then he said, "Now go ye forth and play." When they got outside, dripping wet, one of them asked, "What religion do you think we are?" The oldest one said, "We're not Katlick, because they pour the water on your head. We're not Babtis, because they dunk you under the water. We're not Methdiss because they just sprinkle you.” At this point, the littlest one said, "Did you smell that water?" Another one mused, "I sure did! What do you think that means?" to which the oldest one answered, "I think it means that we're Pisscopalians."
13. to # 12 and # 7
Gavriela ,   usa   (07.15.10)
# 12, funny joke! :) # 7, to my knowledge neither Hillary nor Bill would've needed to convert to marry the other. Btw, neither Methodists nor Baptists have priests, so a priest won't officiate at Chelsea's and Mark's wedding, unless she wants a Catholic, Greek Orthodox, or Episcopalian clergyman to officiate. As for her conversion, I don't care, and I don't see why she'd care either. How important is Judaism to him?
14. #10 but he was a Jew
Lisa   (07.15.10)
he may not be your God- but he was a Jew, which makes him your cousin- close enough.
15. I hope so
roli ,   miami beach, USA   (07.15.10)
we should embrace them and keep them close to our hearts. Whoever spoke out against an innocent friend as if they were an opponent is like the one who accuses another of stealing something that they themselves lost. You don't need a degree in theology to understand why the USA is a Judeo-Christian land but if you believe you can say hallelujah go right ahead.
16. # 14 that doesn't matter
Gavriela ,   usa   (07.16.10)
It doesn't matter if J was a Jew. We are not supposed to worship our cousins.
17. No. 8 M. Hartley
NYC Girl   (07.16.10)
Au contraire. I think you'll find that in most cases, converts make the best Jews. I remember when a childhood friend of my husband's married an English girl who was raised on a farm in Kent and never even met anyone who was Jewish until she came to New York. My husband and his friend were Israelis and so the friend's wife was going to convert in case they moved to Israel. But while she embraced the whole conversion process enthusiastically, the husband wanted no part of it, and several times caused the rabbi to vow he would never deal with another Israeli again.
18. #5 Al
(07.16.10)
Actually, Chelsea Clinton is an extremely intelligent and gracious young woman who bore her family's public humiliation in a way that would have been virtually impossible for any other kid that age. But if the only thing you choose to focus on is a woman's physical appearance, then you might want to consider these two words: NAOMI CAMPBELL
19. It's a private decision. Leave them alone.
Avi   (07.16.10)
If Chelsea wants to convert, then mazel tov. But it's her decision. As an adult, Chelsea can also decide for herself to whom she will go for conversion, if she decides to do it. Intermarriage is a reality in today's Jewish world, and those of you who insist on an all-or-nothing approach ("Orthodox conversion, or you and your spouse should drop dead") are not helping at all. I'd far rather a Conservative conversion than none. Not that she's going to ask me. People need to have a sincere desire to convert. This is one of the reasons why the process takes so long. Public pressure or speculation does not contribute to a sincere desire to convert. Please leave the couple alone.
20. #10 & #6
Annmarie ,   USA   (07.16.10)
#10 - Brod was saying that Christians worship the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We believe Echad is a plural form of "one". We believe Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father (G-d of A, I, & J) and is Himself a part of the Godhead (composed of 3 parts total). But I don't know that Chelsea is really a Christian so I'll have to respectfully disagree with Brod as only G-d knows who, if anyone, Chelsea worships. #6 - my guess is that neither Hillary nor Bill are believing Christians. I doubt either one believes the Bible is true. Bible believing Christianity is based on a concept of Grace through Faith rather than a system of works. A main tenet is being reborn ("born again") of the Holy Spirit (the 3rd component of the Godhead). Baptism is an outward symbol of this, but the real baptism by the Holy Spirit occurs when one accepts Jesus as G-d's Messiah, admits they are a sinner, repents for their sins, & tries to then live a life that is pleasing to G-d (according to Biblical principles). It isn't a free ticket to sin, so after Bill's adultery he should have admitted his sin & repented (apologized to G-d). Some people are Christians in name only & go through perhaps some rituals of worship but don't really have a relationship with G-d. Christianity is like Judaism in that there are different groups with some variations, especially among the denominations (& some groups are non-denominational). There is no conversion between these groups. However, if one is a Christian by birth but never committed to a relationship with G-d via a baptism of the Holy Spirit then, per the Bible, they need to be "born again". But the way the baptism is done isn't important - it's the inner baptism in one's heart with the commitment that counts. Southern Baptists have a reputation for being very "strictly conservative" as opposed to Methodists who are more "liberal". And this might vary by who leads the church and the location. I don't know who officiated over Bill & Hillary's wedding, and what the "religious politics" may have been. But in G-d's eyes any Christian marriage is supposed to adhere to Biblical principles.
21. MARK TO CONVERT?
Frank-el ,   Detroit USA   (07.16.10)
Much easier and better if Mark converts to Christianity. We'll welcome him at Easter and Christmas. I "heard" that Christain newpapers have been discussing the topic, so it must be real.
22. #8 An expert on pork and bull
Yrushalayim   (07.16.10)
23. roll up your sleeves & get busy...
Y.net web reader ,   Niles, IL, USA   (07.16.10)
...Conversion would go beyond July 31...unless you're Ruth...perusing Rabbinic Teachings, Kabbalah and Chabad, Tanakh leads you to the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov = decision made! it took me about 2 years of research to reach this Truth. Have no fear nor doubt Chelsea!!
24. Marc's mother is a gentile. She never converted.
Who cares? ,   America   (07.16.10)
This discussion is mute since Marc's not even Jewish.
25. M. Hartley; Truer words have never been spoken
Ani-intermarriage ,   United States   (07.16.10)
Ivanka Trump has already shown that her "conversion" was a total fraud. She violates the Sabbath, isn't kosher, and dresses in very revealing clothes. She has done this very publicly which shows her total disregard for Judiasm. The so-called Rabbi who did Ivanka's "conversion" doesn't care because he got a large sum of money for it. According to reports Chelsea is not planning to convert which I admire. At least she respects Judaism enough not to have a fraudulent for conversion liker Ivanka did.
26. Chelsea
Brod ,   USA   (07.16.10)
needs to keep the true Sabbath Day of Rest-Saturday as a remembrance of the Creator, instead of the Pagan Papist- engineered Sunday.
27. wonderfull, her and Sammy Davis Jr.
Larry ,   Los Angeles   (07.16.10)
We need sincere converts, to whom Jewish values and traditions are important, not people whose sole motivation is for acceptance.
28. Money talks, religion walks.
Nick Sporek ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.16.10)
People should marry each other because they love each other and share the same values and goals and not to please an imaginary dictator of riddles and contradictory rules. Chelsea should also know that no matter how sincere her conversion is she'll never be fully accepted as a Jew and her children's Jewish status will always be an issue in the community. Especially now that the rabbinate of Israel can retroactively annul anyones conversion that they feel like. But I guess it's nothing a few bucks wouldn't fix.
29. Who gives a crap, she is a shiksa & will always be one.
Wise Saba ,   Eretz Yisrael   (07.16.10)
30. Neither needs to convert if they believe Rabbi Yeshua...
Rivkah   (07.16.10)
who said he is Yahweh. That unites the religions if one believes Yeshua is the Messiah. They can be Jewish in their hearts with the Torah written on their hearts and believe Rabbi Yeshua was and is the Messiah for the Jews. All Baptists and Methodists and other Christians need to convert to the Jewish Sabbath and become Jews in their hearts to enter the Kingdom of God which has a Jewish Messiah. They can be Messianic Jewish, in other words.
Next talkbacks
Back to article