I feel homesick to a culture I am not a part of.

Just thought I’d share a story and see if anyone is going through the same or can give any advice.

My grandfather was left as a baby during the jewish exile in Dubrovnik, Croatia by his parents in front of a Croatian family home that raised him.

From the looks of him from pictures, I think they were probably from Spain, Portugal etc..

I feel an overwhelming connection to Jewish music and Spanish language. I almost tear up when listening to Jewish folk music and feel like it is such a huge part of me. My grandfather was a musician himself, but focused on Croatian music.

I wasn’t able to gather any more information from my research of him, but it has been in the back of my mind forever.

Someone once asked me out of the blue ‘are you a Sephardic jew?’ Before I even knew anything about it, and I asked for clarification, after which I realised I might even resemble my roots.

Is that usually visible when you just see someone?

Also, is it usual for Jews to greet non jews with Shalom Aleichem? I have been greeted by a stranger who I think was Jewish, in Germany, and thought does he think I’m jewish? It was odd, there are no self identifying Jews where I’m from so I don’t know where to ask. I felt like they know something I don’t! Lol