It's sort of ironic that I read this now, since this week's פרשה is שופטים, which is Jake's bar mitzvah portion in this fic...

I just read this story, and I want to thank you. It really meant a lot to me, as an observant Jew. When I was 7, I proudly announced to my best friend that I was going to Hogwarts. She spent the next ten minutes laughing at me, not because I belived in Hogwarts, (what 7 year old dosn't belive in magic) but because, as she pointed out, it would be almost impossble to survive in wizarding society as a Jew. How would I keep shabbat? Keep kosher? Now, at 15, I have long gotten over never reciving my letter, but reading this story reminded me of a little girl, enthralled in a world that she could never truly be a part of. I had always wondered about religous muggleborns at a secular Hogwarts, and Anthony Goldstein especially, so thank you. Once again this story really meant a lot to me.

This has always been my favorite fanfic characterizing Terry and Anthony, and raising the matter of religion. It was always obvious to me that Anthony was Jewish from his last name, and being Jewish myself, I could somewhat relate to Anthony. 'Somewhat' as I'm obviously not magical, and his family seems to be an extremely conservative type, close to orthodox, and while I'm conservative I'm much closer to reform because my dad was raised as reform as one could be.
You characterized the Ravenclaws so well in this, as well as that one chapter with Snape, as well as the families of Terry and Anthony. Your original characters were extremely well thought out and flawless.
I think the only qualms I had with how you wrote the Jewish religion was the usage of 'cantillation marks.' While they may have been referred to as that in the nineties in the UK, I have never called them anything other than trope in my life.

I just found this story, as I was perusing the site for any combination of Terry B., Anthony G., and Michael C. This is so unique, and a lovely way to introduce/discuss religion) into HP. The dialogue flows naturally between the two characters, and I like the set up and background that you've created for both Terry and Tony.

Your writing's just lovely as well. I'm very glad I've stumbled on this.

holy moley. this was really impressive at the end- and a surprising twist, since i was rather expecting Jake to become a rabbi (which i'm sure was intentionally staged), not stay in the wizarding world; while Terry seems to be the one who's stepping away, and his rationale for it- Healing losing the human part w/o the ethics- is really interesting. LOVE the HBP fight scene from the Ravenclaw perspective, perfectly done, and Padma holding her wand like a candle really created an image in my mind. very impressive work, overall, great writing!!

fascinating- and wonderful contrast w/ Eliza's school to build into why they're still thinking about the same girls. brilliant Luna, and again, poor Terry :( (though Anthony seems to possibly have reason to hope)- and Michael's reaction to alcohol, dead-on. really, it's pretty remarkable how well you've brought out personalities for the Ravenclaws in this story

the Ministry not monitoring potion-making and Terry's activities in Africa, the very in-character-ness of Dumbledore, and the controversy over the DA (w/ Luna not being the 'best advertisement for their house' ;)) and Anthony 'drunk on prefect status- fabulous details, great writing!

wow- Jake not trying out for Quidditch is an interesting point to bring up; and though this piece was primarily conversation, that's what i loved about it- through their conversation, you showed so much about them all, and the discussion of charity in the wizarding world- really, you're making me think and entertaining me at the same time. very nice job :)

poor Terry- i love the way you work in the Ravenclaws' reactions to 4th year events, the Yule Ball and SPEW- it makes them so individual and human, for once; and the depiction of relationships are also so dead-on for the age- Michael looking for someone 'forthcoming', Anthony's note to Padma and her feelings about the matter; Terry's thoughts and the excellent descriptions of Claire- esp. the simile for the 'light in her eyes' at the end. really excellent.

Eliza was brilliantly characterized- especially calling him the 'little magician', and thinking gallbladders are pretty- such details!- Terry's conversation with his father and his initial thoughts on magic are just so well-written- you make everyone so stunningly human- and Jake's choice of reading just, well, bodes sort of ill considering where he goes to school. very, very compelling

oh wow- SUCH an in-character Snape, the episode with the butterscotch is just so excellent and brings magic and religion into such a subtle contrast, and little details fleshing out the Ravenclaws here- Mandy's cat, Lisa's aunt- make this overall fabulous. the contrast between Anthony and Jake is also perfectly believable and just dead-on- i think you came up w/ Kevin Entwhistle? too, and if you did, the name is *perfect*. outstanding.

fabulous thorough characterization of the Boots and Goldsteins- other parents so rarely get touched on, it's a shame, and you go all the way to Anthony's grandfather!- but the dismissal of the bar mitzvah as a "muggle ritual" and the worry of postponement, and a younger brother for Anthony- wow, just such an original and well-thought-out plot and characterization. awesome :)

love the idea of this story, to begin with- religion and Harry Potter are so rarely confronted- but this is really excellent- Anthony's defense of Padma bodes interestingly; and the clashing customs of the wizarding world and of Jewish culture are fascinating. but the natural, friendly dialog between Anthony and Terry makes them both so human and likable. great writing. :)

Although I consider myself agnostic with some spirtual tendencies, I thoroughly enjoyed the intriguing characters and concepts you presented here. I've recently become interested in Judaism (after reading a few Micheal Chabon novels) and this was the perfect fanfiction vehicle for a religious perspective on Hogwarts. I really enjoyed the story, and I'd love to a spin-off story about Jake and Claire. :)

Nora x

This is great. I love it a lot. Really original.