From: "Lev Lafayette" <lev@levlafayette.com>

On Sat, November 8, 2014 8:06 am, Michael Scott wrote:

...

Jews are of Israeli heritage, whether of the Jewish faith or not.

What? Can you explain to me the ethnic Israeli heritage of the Ugandan Jews?

You know, I think DNA studies might disagree with your assertion.

You are opening a can of worms here, I think. AFAIK religious texts refer to the twelve tribes of Israel and the current state of Israel, according to its own constitution a Jewish state, is claiming his current location and right to exist based on these texts. The Nazis did not invent the theory of a "Jewish race" but they used it to persecute million of German citizens (and later in occupied countries) of perceived "Jewish heritage" (the "Aryan pass" to show your heritage and "value" as a German citizen is a joke - unfortunately a deadly serious one for many) Without this your friend may feel "Jewish" as I feel "Lutheran": That's the religion of my ancestors but I am not a practising Christian. I do not say I am "Lutheran". AFAIK there are no "Christian tribes". This seems to be quite undisputed, I think. But that all goes far beyond the original topic.. and I am not the suppository of all wisdom, to quote my Dear Leader. BTW: for years I was living here in Australia with a partner who is the mother of our daughter. We were not married but it mattered much less than in Germany. The "de facto relationship" has a quite solid legal standing here. Trent's word exists, it is civil union. I do not know whether it is necessary to have a "marriage" or a "civil union" will do. Just make sure that the law does not discriminate against them. Overall, Australians appear quite pragmatic, and that may do, I guess. Interestingly, the hardest resistance seems to come from churches with strong American influences. E.g. the Life Church which is founded by an American. The "traditional churches" seem to be quite relaxed, it seems. A friends' marriage which was slightly hampered by rules of the Anglican heritage was finally married in a Uniting Church, with the blessings of an Anglican priest as part of the ceremony. Regards Peter