Page 1 of 2

Is Geddy Jewish?

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 5:19 pm
by TheChef
I couldn't quite make out what he was saying in the documentary on the new DVD, but he mentioned something about his own hair and called it jewish hair.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:32 am
by Aerosmitten
Yeah, he is Jewish. Others here can give you more info about it than I.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:02 am
by awip2062
And I STILL want to know what tribe he is from.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:12 pm
by Amarok
And his family? Are they all jewish?

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 1:22 pm
by awip2062
It is said that his parents are both Polish Jews.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:25 pm
by Aerosmitten
Amarok wrote:And his family? Are they all jewish?
Nawwww....his Mum is Irish, his Dad is German, and his lil sis is a Sweed!

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:40 pm
by Amarok
I primarly asked for wife and kids

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:49 pm
by Aerosmitten
And I was picking on ya. :wink:

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:29 am
by KaelMwithascrubbrush
I think I remember reading somewhere that either his mother or father (or both) is a Holocaust survivor. Eee gad, that'll give your life a particuluar spin won't it?

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:49 am
by Aerosmitten
KaelMwithascrubbrush wrote:I think I remember reading somewhere that either his mother or father (or both) is a Holocaust survivor. Eee gad, that'll give your life a particuluar spin won't it?
I teenk I remember seeing summat about that too.

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:54 am
by awip2062
His parents both were in a concentration camp in Poland during WWII. I don't know if his wife is Jewish. Young is not a common Jewish name. But they did have a Jewish wedding.

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:50 pm
by Panacea
I believe I read in an interview somewhere that they celebrate both Christmas and Chanukah in their home, though on a secular level. Geddy has referred to Judaism as "dogma," so I would imagine he's not a believer. Since Christmas is thrown into the mix, I would imagine that came from Nancy's side of the family.

Posted: Sat May 15, 2004 5:04 pm
by Slaine mac Roth
KaelMwithascrubbrush wrote:I think I remember reading somewhere that either his mother or father (or both) is a Holocaust survivor. Eee gad, that'll give your life a particuluar spin won't it?
It may also explain why his vocals on Red Sector A always have such intensity

Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 12:47 pm
by Ken
Back in the 70's when Rush were on their Drive Til' You Die tour, some critics were branding them for having fascist ideals which was painful to Geddy because his father actually died as a result of the camp.

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 8:57 am
by elaine
just happened to have liked this and saved it..

was posted by the man himself on gl.net ages ago.

what follows is billiams question, then geddys answer. then, some silly replies. (wonder if this will all fit..?)

===============

Author Topic: Are we only members of the human race ? Your philosophy
Billiam
Member
Member # 733
posted January 04, 2001 05:34 PM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the greatest aspects of Rush music over the years has been the deeply philosophical content of the lyrics, which is also present on My Favorite Headache. What is not always obvious is how a lyric is intended to be taken. For example in "The Angels' Share" it's not clear (to me at least, maybe I'm just slow) whether you would say that there is, or is not, some higher power watching over the world, or whether having an answer for that is not neccessarily as important as asking the question. From the lyrics to "Working at Perfekt" I would think that you are a very spiritual man, and I would like to hear about some of your spirituality/philosophy.
Thank You
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 15 | From: Van Buren AR USA | Registered: Dec 2000 ?|? IP: Logged
Geddy Lee
Member
Member # 602
posted January 24, 2001 10:03 PM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think these 2 questions are connected so I will respond simultaneously if you don't mind.

Well, I was brought up in quite a religious Jewish home and had a lot of that particular religions' dogma spoon fed to me. My parents were also survivors of the Holocaust, so along with religion I grew up with these terrible, and incredible stories of their difficulties and survival against all odds. So, it was very tough for me torebel (without a ridiculous amount of guilt!) and discover my own view of things, as we all must in order to develop a way of life and a belief system that is true to our personalities. I found it very hard to believe in the existence of God, in the traditional sense, especially after what my family had been through during the war. If there was a God how could he have allowed this to happen!! I was constantly amazed that my parents still had faith! Such is the power of religion and more importantly the need to believe.

So I go out in the world looking for myself, as we all do, and begin my life's journey with the hope of making something out of myself and acquiring a body of knowledge and experiencing enough of life to acquire some wisdom and form some opinions that will help me reach...a happy place?... and to attempt to answer what are essentially... unanswerable questions. Does it matter if I believe in a God as long as I believe in knowing the difference between right and wrong? Do I take Woody Allen's belief that God is an underachiever? Is there any need in my life for some sort of spirituality? Are we all connected to the great energy pool of the universe? The great mysteries of the heavens above... So many questions...and the answers are like moving targets, depending on the state of life I'm in.

So I guess what I'm saying is it's hard for me to tell you what my "philosophy" is. It is constantly evolving as I move along my way. I can tell you that, for me, life is an inner battle between the dark and the light, and the older I get the more I believe in creating and seeking positive energy. I believe in family and loyalty to friends and nine men take the field... so those same nine men should come to bat!!!

Plaaay Ball!!

Geddy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 50 | Registered: Dec 2000 ?|? IP: Logged
Billiam
Member
Member # 733
posted January 25, 2001 12:06 AM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
May I say "AMEN !!!"

May I also say that my wife didn't appreciate my doing the watusie in my skivvies at midnight while she was trying to sleep, but that's the price you pay for being married to someone who Geddy Lee has actually spoken to. lol

Peace y'all
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 15 | From: Van Buren AR USA | Registered: Dec 2000 ?|? IP: Logged
Peter
Member
Member # 1079
posted January 25, 2001 07:12 AM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geddy, Dude,
Isn't it past your bedtime??????
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 10 | Registered: Jan 2001 ?|? IP: Logged
giddyforgeddy
Member
Member # 267
posted January 25, 2001 09:02 AM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geddy,Wasn't it you who in another topic said "You gotta have faith!"? I pray someday you find God and the inner peace that resides within from just knowing in your heart that he is our salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 27 | From: Chicago | Registered: Nov 2000 ?|? IP: Logged
SirDraco
Member
Member # 5403
posted January 25, 2001 04:22 PM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations Billiam!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 0 | From: Anywhere but Here | Registered: Dec 2002 ?|? IP: Logged
Billiam
Member
Member # 733
posted February 07, 2001 03:14 PM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought I would leave a note here to let Geddy and the site management know that I've posted the text of this question and answer on my personal website. Perhaps that's a bit self-congratulatory, but what the heck. Anyhow along with it I've posted a link to this site as well. If Geddy and/or site management would like me to remove these from my site, please let me know, and I shall do so forthwith.
Meanwhile, thanks for the wonderful site, and I shall see you later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 15 | From: Van Buren AR USA | Registered: Dec 2000 ?|? IP: Logged
Anthony Page
Member
Member # 308
posted February 08, 2001 11:54 AM ??? ?? ? ? ? ?? ??
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're asking permission?

Oh. Oh dear.

I have printed the Master's reply to my question in a handy, and tastefully illustrated, presentation booklet which I intend to drop from the skies all over Eastern Canada next time I fly back to England.

I've also had it printed on 200 pillowcases, 300 sheets, 600 bath-towels, 5,000 t-shirts, 250 pairs of boxers, and 100 condoms (ribbed).

In addition I am producing cups, plates, toilet-rolls, commemorative plaques, bumper-stickers, wallpaper, and calendars.

And if Mr Geddy Lee doesn't like it then I'm sure we can negotiate a (small)* percentage for him.

Actually, make that *very* small.