James McBride's Mother: A Journey of Faith
Have you ever wondered how a person's faith can shape their entire life? What happens when someone leaves behind everything they've known to embrace a new religion and culture?
In his memoir The Color of Water, James McBride tells the extraordinary story of his mother's journey. James McBride's mother, Ruth McBride Jordan, transformed from an Orthodox Jewish girl to a Christian woman raising a large, biracial family. Her tale is one of courage, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Read on to discover how Ruth's remarkable life unfolded and the lasting impact it had on her family and community.
From Orthodox Judaism to Christianity: Ruth Mcbride Jordan's Journey
Ruth McBride Jordan's life story is a testament to the power of love, faith, and resilience in the face of adversity. As James McBride's mother, her journey from an Orthodox Jewish upbringing to embracing Christianity and raising a biracial family is both inspiring and thought-provoking. This remarkable woman's experiences, as recounted in her son's memoir "The Color of Water," offer a unique perspective on identity, religion, and family.
A Difficult Start in an Orthodox Jewish Family
Ruth's early life was marked by poverty and instability. Born as Rachel Deborah Shilsky, she grew up in Suffolk, where her family faced anti-Semitism and financial struggles. Her father, Fishel Shilsky, worked as a traveling rabbi and attempted to open his own grocery store, but the family's frequent moves led to financial uncertainty.
Growing up, Ruth faced mockery and offensive name-calling at school, which intensified her feelings of isolation. The family's commitment to Orthodox Jewish customs came with strict gender roles and numerous responsibilities. Ruth was not only burdened with spiritual duties but also had to help in the family store and care for her disabled mother.
Breaking Free From Tradition
As Ruth grew older, she began to yearn for independence and a life beyond the confines of her Orthodox Jewish upbringing. She rejected the idea of arranged marriages and longed to express her own opinions. This desire for autonomy eventually led her to make the bold decision to move to New York, leaving behind her family and the religious practices she was raised with.
Ruth's transformation from Rachel to Ruth symbolized a significant shift in her identity. By declaring her independence, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery that would ultimately lead her to a new faith and a new life.
Embracing Christianity and Interracial Love
Ruth's life took a dramatic turn when she met and fell in love with Andrew McBride, an African American minister. Despite facing societal prejudices against interracial relationships and her family's disapproval, Ruth married Andrew in a humble ceremony officiated by a clergyman.
After her marriage, Ruth converted to Christianity and found a warm welcome in the Black church community. Together with Andrew, she established the New Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Red Hook, which became a testament to their shared faith and community engagement.
Ruth found deep spiritual fulfillment in the traditions of African American Christian worship. The support she received from her new faith community helped her endure the challenges of her interracial marriage and the pain of being mourned as dead by her Jewish family.
Raising a Biracial Family
Ruth and Andrew's union resulted in a large, biracial family. Their children faced unique challenges related to their sense of identity and experienced prejudice due to their mixed racial background. As parents, Ruth and Andrew worked to instill pride and resilience in their children, helping them navigate the complexities of their dual heritage.
Ruth's approach to parenting involved emphasizing the importance of education and encouraging her children to make a positive impact on society. She also made efforts to bridge the gap between her children's diverse cultural backgrounds, though she often remained reluctant to discuss racial matters directly.
James Mcbride's Quest for Identity
As one of Ruth's children, James McBride grew up grappling with questions about his ethnic and cultural identity. His mother's reluctance to discuss her past only intensified his desire to understand his biracial background.
James embarked on a journey to uncover his mother's hidden Jewish roots, facing significant challenges along the way. Ruth's detachment from her previous life made it difficult for her to share details about her original name and family history. However, James persevered, piecing together the fragmented story of her life through conversations with relatives and visits to Suffolk.
Through his exploration, James gradually uncovered the closely guarded history of his mother. He came to embrace his dual heritage, encompassing both his African American and Jewish identities. This journey of discovery allowed him to achieve a sense of wholeness and belonging, reshaping his life with the knowledge of his complex ancestry.
The Power of Family, Faith, and Love
Ruth McBride's family demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Their belief in the combination of spiritual faith and education as a means to overcome poverty was repeatedly validated over time.
The McBride family remained tightly knit, providing mutual emotional support and celebrating their achievements together. Ruth's unwavering commitment to her faith community, despite occasional conflicts, demonstrated the unifying power of shared spirituality.
Ruth's journey from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, and her interracial marriages, illustrate the transformative impact of love that transcends racial and cultural boundaries. Her story shows how personal bonds can profoundly influence an individual's life and extend throughout family connections.
The McBride family's diverse makeup, encompassing a range of skin tones and hair types, showcases the development of a multifaceted family dynamic that defies traditional social norms. Ruth McBride Jordan's legacy underscores the enduring power of love, honor, courage, and perseverance in the face of societal challenges.