Because I’m writing for some encyclopedia, something I haven’t done for years, I am surprised to learn that so many people are listed as “of Jewish Descent.”  A friend of mine told me a few months ago that this was a new trend, to integrate Jews into the Anglo-Saxon world, or to eradicate the idea of Jewishness.  So I want to use this opportunity to say I am Jewish and I demand to be listed as a Jewish woman.  I don’t want my gender to be erased and I don’t want my religion to be ignored.  Tell me your thoughts on this.