Peter Huntington was brought up against any form of religion or beliefs.
At the age of 54, the ex-miner is in the process of becoming a Jew even though he laughed off religion his whole life.
At the age of 54, the ex-miner is in the process of becoming a Jew even though he laughed off religion his whole life.
"In fact they hated religion”
"I have always been fascinated by Judaism. The stories from the Old Testament such as Moses and Noah has always got me intrigued."
Peter never grew up in a religious household. He said his parents let him and his brothers do as they please but were strictly against any religion. "In fact they hated religion and always discouraged us to never turn to it."
After attending a course in drawing up a family tree, Peter found that his ancestors had lived in Gateshead in Newcastle where it's believed to be the third biggest Jewish community in Europe.
"It was then when I believed my family had always been Jewish. Someone probably gave up on it at some point and we became non-believers."
Peter never grew up in a religious household. He said his parents let him and his brothers do as they please but were strictly against any religion. "In fact they hated religion and always discouraged us to never turn to it."
After attending a course in drawing up a family tree, Peter found that his ancestors had lived in Gateshead in Newcastle where it's believed to be the third biggest Jewish community in Europe.
"It was then when I believed my family had always been Jewish. Someone probably gave up on it at some point and we became non-believers."
Orthdox Jews vs Reformed Jews
Peter said he has been attending a synagogue in Hull where reformed Jews attend.
He explained reformed Jews do not take the religion as literal as Orthodox Jews.
Orthodox Jews are very strict when it comes to following Jewish customs.
On Sabbath, their day of rest, they literally do not do anything such as cook, drive or even walk up the stairs. They have to rest and not do anything at all.
"Reformed Jews tend to interpret the Torah (Jewish Holy book) and adapt it to modern day living which is why I have chosen this path."
Peter has now been to Israel three times to visit key Jewish sites such as the Wailing Wall, King David's tomb and paid respects in the Holocaust museum.
He is now currently Hebrew and is slowly developing a Kosher diet.
He explained reformed Jews do not take the religion as literal as Orthodox Jews.
Orthodox Jews are very strict when it comes to following Jewish customs.
On Sabbath, their day of rest, they literally do not do anything such as cook, drive or even walk up the stairs. They have to rest and not do anything at all.
"Reformed Jews tend to interpret the Torah (Jewish Holy book) and adapt it to modern day living which is why I have chosen this path."
Peter has now been to Israel three times to visit key Jewish sites such as the Wailing Wall, King David's tomb and paid respects in the Holocaust museum.
He is now currently Hebrew and is slowly developing a Kosher diet.
"They've not let it affect their livelihood."
In recent months, Peter noticed how there had been police patrolling certain Jewish areas due to the January Kosher supermarket hostage in France. In a visit to a synagogue in York, he noticed a few policemen surrounding the area.
"My synagogue are wary of any more possibilities of this happening but they've not let it affect their livelihood."
Despite his new belief, Peter insists he does believe in a God but still does not think it is the God that children in school are taught about.
"I think it is just a higher intelligence up there but it's not the typical Godly figure we think of."
Peter said another reason he was a Jewish was simply because of their history and culture. "Jewish people have had a long history of suffering as we all know but many have picked themselves up and have done very well for themselves. I find their self-sufficient and hardworking manner very admirable."
"My synagogue are wary of any more possibilities of this happening but they've not let it affect their livelihood."
Despite his new belief, Peter insists he does believe in a God but still does not think it is the God that children in school are taught about.
"I think it is just a higher intelligence up there but it's not the typical Godly figure we think of."
Peter said another reason he was a Jewish was simply because of their history and culture. "Jewish people have had a long history of suffering as we all know but many have picked themselves up and have done very well for themselves. I find their self-sufficient and hardworking manner very admirable."
Peter shows us the tradition of lighting up Hanukkah candles.