I know it's old news but I've been busy and it's been bugging me and I don't know why.
The JC editorial begging Julie Burchill not to convert provided some comfort with a plausible reason for JB not to go through with it. We need more non-Jews supporting us in public, so let's try to keep those mouthy Jew loving gentiles as they are - gentiles.
My argument for not allowing her to convert is altogether less charitable, but it's a lot more simple. I loathe her and it would be an embarrassment if she became Jewish. It's already enough of an embarrassment that she used the word "we" albeit with a nod to the chutzpah employed, when asked about her interest in converting to Judaism. That sentence..."The filthy stain of antisemitism which unites Christian and Muslim is based on their pathetic envy of the perfect, enduring faith of the Jews. We/they rock!" had me reeling at her crassness. That's not how Jews view Christians and Muslims I hope, and there's no place for those attitudes in Judaism as far as I'm concerned.
I grew up as a teenage NME reader suffering Ms Burchill's spiteful twaddle as the self-styled queen of rock journalism and I couldn't bare to think she was joining the faith. How would you like to find out that the school bully was your cousin?
However, I admit this is no criterium for assessing her suitability as a Jew. So let's consider some of her other magnificent characteristics.
Married three times and dumping her sons with their fathers after walking out on the first two. OK, so there are plenty of Jews who are serial spouses. What else?
Well, perhaps no other converts to Judaism have celebrated their use of recreational drugs with quite the pride of our latest celebrity applicant. Again, I'm not saying there isn't a drug problem amongst Jews, there is, and it's serious, and Ms Burchill is now clean, I believe, but do we still want to welcome someone with such a cocky attitude to cocaine?
In the last 10 years Ms Burchill has found God. Several times. First she become a Lutheran, then a Christian Zionist (whatever that is) and now she talks of converting again. Make your mind up sweetheart, or at least why not just skip mainstream Judaism and join Madonna at the spiritual top table. I'm sure pseudo-Kabbalah will be right up your alley, and of course the social climb, sorry, religious journey will be complete, won't it?
Look, I know the Liberals will convert someone as long as they tell them they enjoy smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels now and again but please guys, think hard about letting this one in. Please.
If you're wavering think on this: the orthodox reckon you will let anyone in. Here's your chance to show you do have some standards.