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The thing is, being Dutch, German, French, and/or Irish is COOL. I should know, I'm part Dutch myself, and part German. I'm often mistaken for Irish, too, because I have red hair (not that people see it anymore because it's covered, but I used to always get asked whether I was Irish or Scottish, since most people can't imagine another source of red hair). These nations are proud nations who have contributed much to the world. Just because a given heritage is common doesn't make it less cool.

In fact, it can be reasonably argued that the fact that they're plentiful is a pretty fair indication of genetic and social success as a nation. After all, those who live long enough to reproduce are clearly viable, and those who live long enough to reproduce multiple times must clearly have some advantages. A huge majority of people in North America count German, Irish, French, Dutch, Scottish, English, Welsh, Spanish, and Italian in their heritage. Clearly these lineages are doing something right, in order to have spread their genes and their cultural influence so far and so well.

There's a great deal to admire about these cultures. Why not be proud of those first? Converting to Judaism is about a great deal more than culture. It's joining a family and a nation; it's often seen as political even if that's not the convert's intention; it's religious; it's about changing one's entire lifestyle. There are 613 commandments in the Torah, and then the entire Talmud -- as well as the body of rabbinic responsa since the writing of the Talmud -- is all about how to observe those commandments. Countless scholars have spent nearly four thousand years trying to get closer and closer to what we hope and believe is what Hashem actually wants us to do in each given situation, and they're not done yet. It is a HUGE burden, a huge weight to carry, and you've got to be darned sure you want to carry it, because if you convert, you are obligated to it for the rest of your life, and so are your descendants.

Be proud of having been born German, French, Irish, and Dutch. If you want to believe in Hashem, do it; it doesn't require you to become a Jew. Why not be an observant Noachide? (Google it.)

I'm one of the stubornest people around. You won't talk me out of it.

No, not really.

It's a long journey and the first step can even take YEARS (as in my case), finding a rabbi.

I still don;t have one but I identify 100% with being Jewish and yet I have no right to call myself a Jew.

Are you prepared to give up certain foods you love? (I found Kosher potato chips at my corner store!).

Being modest?

Giving up social events with family and friends?

Feeling like an outsider in your own family?

There are many considerations. I identify as being Jewish because I was meant to be, not because I am merely interested in Judaism. Every mitzvah I can fulfil I feel closer to Hashem. It's not a burden, it's beautiful.

Tonight I had a kid ask me about my potato chips. I brought chips to work and the kid asked me why I dont eat certain things.. when I told him I was harassed ALL night and told I am "stupid" and "retarded". It doesn't hurt my feelings, I can deal with it but I feel pain, pain for ALL Jews when one is criticised.

We are a nation. You have to feel a certain sense of not being home before you realise that you are a lost soul. I feel homesick for Israel and a longing for Am Y'Israel.

You have a looong way to go, i think what you're feeing is curiosity.

Try to live as an observant Jew, try to think like one, try to act like one. If you can do that and it's not a burden then maybe you can consider conversion.

I think it's because chips are such a simple thing and you would expect people just to leave us alone. Chips are so simple, it doesn't affect anyone else, they are just sitting there. Out of our kindness we explain to people (when asked) why they have to be a certain type of food with a certain label on them, and instead of getting "Oh, that's interesting", we get "Oh, that's retarded" and then harassed for the rest of the night when you see the person. Then instead of thinking about how it should bother us individually, we see it as an attack on all of the Jews, not over potato chips but over misconceptions, ignorance, and downright stupidity.

Then we think about how we are choosing to be living a certain way and how wonderful it makes us feel and suddenly all those who have hurtful words to us are absolutely insignificant.

Nothing makes us happier than our nation of people, Hashem, and being able to make ourselves happy by fulfilling mitzvot.

You can be in love with the Jewish culture (even though there are many different ones) but at the end of the day if your soul is not yearning for Israel and if you do not feel lonely being an outsider to the point where you are distraught, then you know that Judaism is not right for you.

Can't think of any.

It's meant as a lighthearted joke.

I'm not that well educated yet.