From now on, Jewish groups will likely think twice before using any variation on the word “assimilation.” That’s one lesson learned from the recent brouhaha over a 34-second commercial on Israeli television promoting the Jewish Agency’s Masa program, which brings young Jews to Israel for sustained periods of work, study and volunteering. The advertisement, which paired photos of young Jews on missing-person posters with the statement that “over 50% of Jews abroad are assimilating,” drew a firestorm of criticism on blogs and in news reports. Facing mounting international controversy, the Jewish Agency quickly killed the ad.
The issues raised by the ad, though, will not go away so easily. While the ad may have been clumsy in its execution, its central point is essentially correct: Large numbers of Jews around the world are disconnected from any Jewish communal activities.
Is there any reason to doubt that the Jewish people is suffering an erosion of its engaged membership? In the case of American Jews, we now lack an up-to-date national survey with precise numbers (or a national leadership sufficiently interested in basing its policies on hard data to produce one), but there is ample evidence of large declines in the numbers of Jews who participate in organized Jewish life in recent decades. Most established organizations have seen their membership numbers and donor base implode. And the many new initiatives that are rightly generating much excitement tend to attract only relatively small proportions of the Jewish population. When we add up all the activities of synagogues, federations, service programs, national organizations, cultural providers, educational institutions and the myriad start-ups, it is clear that vast populations of American Jews are steering clear of organized Jewish life.
Describing the world in which he works daily, a rabbi of my acquaintance talks about how, of necessity, he must focus only on the present. Why? Because the Jews he encounters have no connection to a Jewish past, and judging from the absence of any Jewish education among their grandchildren, they have no Jewish future.
So why, then, if there is a large kernel of truth to its claims, did the Masa ad elicit such a sharp reaction? In large part, it is because it was inferred that the 50% assimilation figure the ad cited refers to intermarriage rates, which in the United States reached that level in the late 1990s. Critics contend that the ad — though it does not actually mention the word “intermarriage” — gives offense to the children of Jews who intermarry, by implying that they are somehow “lost.” Many children of intermarriage, these critics note, are raised as Jews and go on to identify strongly with the Jewish people. This is, of course, true — but only up to a point. Unfortunately, this optimistic reading describes only a minority of intermarried families. The majority of intermarried families raise their children in a faith other than Judaism or in two faiths or no faith at all; not surprisingly, when they reach adulthood, most of those offspring do not identify as Jews.
Few would dispute that the Jewish community has a far better chance of retaining the allegiance of individuals raised in homes in which both parents are Jewish than in those where one parent identifies with a different religion. Indeed, wherever Jews are a minority community, intermarriage is a major factor in the contraction of the Jewish population. How, then, does it serve Jewish group interests to silence all discussion about the relationship between intermarriage and assimilation?
This hesitance to grapple seriously with the issue of intermarriage is part of a broader phenomenon: Speaking of threats to Jewish survival has become passé. Many argue that such discussions no longer serve to rally Jews; if anything, they turn people off. Moreover, advocates of this point of view tend to argue that if Jews are disengaged, it is because of failings in our institutions. If only we had more compelling programs and wiser leaders, if only we would cater more to the desires and preferences of younger generations, we would retain larger numbers of Jews, they say.
These are serious arguments, but the reality is that while creative leaders and innovative programs aimed at young Jews have brought in some people from the periphery, large numbers of American Jews — in some age groups, the majority — still do not participate in any form of Jewish public life. Those who reject the language of crisis when describing this state of affairs in favor of an appeal to individual preferences must explain how they propose to re-create a culture of Jewish responsibility on that basis. If we want to strengthen our community amidst the prevailing individualistic culture, we had better start with straight-talk about our current condition.
The reactions to the Masa ad have exposed a series of complex issues worthy of extended conversation within our community. Rather than view the ad solely as a dragon successfully slain, we would do well to see it as an opportunity to ask ourselves some tough questions about the best ways to build Jewish social capital and draw in disengaged Jews — as a chance to converse about what we expect ourselves and our fellow Jews to contribute to Jewish life. In this season of introspection, what could be more timely for us as a community?
Jack Wertheimer is a professor of American Jewish history at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
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" ...the prevailing individualistic culture ..."
Yes!! I only have to observe common-sense rules of getting along in society, other than that I am free to completely ignore religion in any of its skins, from televangelists to Jewish "communities." Freedom from religion, and even from the religious! A dream that took 500 years of blood, sweat, and tears to become fulfilled but is finally here. Farewell, "god" ...
Still missing the mark. Genetics is a ridiculous thing on which to base a religion. We need to make Judaism a compelling religion that attracts practitioners, no matter their genetic origins. The idea that in-marriage will save us is self-deceiving and will ultimately result in our demise. The outrage at the MASA campaign is evidence of a shift in Jewish thinking, and should not be tossed off as an attempt to silence serious debate about assimilation. It's a sign that we've recognized the error of being a "because my parents are" religion. what a stupid reason to adhere to any religion or faith tradition. We have co--opted the meaning of assimilate. True assimilation means absorbing good things from outside that provide nutrition, and thus life. It does not mean the end of the absorbing entity-in fact, just the opposite. It is usually the external nutrient that gets broken down by the assimilating cell! Assimilation may morph Judaism into something unrecognizable to its current state, built this could be a bad thing. I expect ancient Jews would view rabbinic Judaism as something completely unrecognizable. It's time for a new kind of Judaism, one that rejects parentage as the defining reason to be and live Jewishly.
"Assimilation may morph Judaism into something unrecognizable to its current state, built this could be a bad thing." should read
Assimilation may morph Judaism into something unrecognizable to its current state, BUT this could be a GOOD thing.
In infinity of time islam, christianity, and talmudism/mosheism, being ideologies [or thinking only]built solely on guesswork, appear ephemeral. These are passing fancies. Eventually, if sane voices prevail, a human even today cld deem self first of all a human; then, a husband, father, brother, friend, fellow, etc.,and only thereafter a pole, nepalese, chinese; and still much later a believer. And to keep one's sanity, evaluating that believing is not knowing, but a priori thinking.
If a member of the multiethnicity, commonly but erroneously called "jew", deems self first of all a cultist or connected in some way to other adherents of mosheic/talmudic cult, not much good can come to that person or her/his descendants.
hebraic cultist have bitten the dust twice already; first in n. kingdom and then southern. The fate of euro-asian cultists is well known. Mns of them were slaughterd by another cult. It is known: no cult tolerates let alone gladhands another. And whichever cult wld emerge, the strongest in infinity of time wld surely destroy the weakest; that is, if the cults wld be still around! tnx
History keeps repeating itself. Jews have always been small in number and then we had the Holocaust which reduced are numbers greatly.. With God's help we will survive. I encourage Jews to keep the mitzvoth and to bring Jews to our fold with love and to refrain from passing judgement on those who may not be observant. We need to reach out to those who are intermarried and offer them a Judaism based upon love of Torah but also love of man.
Modern Jews along with most of the rest of humanity can well run from God, but history proves none of us can hide from him. Nothing will stop the assimulation until the calamity arrives. Which I suspect will not be too long in coming.
When it does,God help us all. The fall of the modern world as we know it will not be pretty. Just as the fall of Rome was rather unpleasnt.(My guess is on the Roman time continuum it is either 70BC or 370AD, either way it'll be a rough ride for all). Can we say dictator or new "dark ages"? It'll be back to the Ghettos possibly, but at least the Jews will know who they are.
Assimilation and apathy are certainly on display in the Jerusalem of Lithuania. It is not a phenomenon relegated only to American shores. One thing which certainly seems to be shared by much of the community worldwide is a wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding a loss of Jewish values. There are calls for someone to do something which will help strengthen Jewish culture and identity. However, look what happens in all too many cases when someone actually steps forward and attempts to make a difference.
A perfect (and perfectly sad) example is my own effort to create a new center of Jewish culture and learning in the Jerusalem of Lithuania. Imagine a library with a Jewish focus that would bring in more than just scholars and a few students. Every Jewish library I have ever set foot in is almost exclusively filled with books on the Shoah, Jewish history, and Jewish religion. Such topics are all very important and belong in any library. Yet almost every time you walk in the places are virtually empty. Why is that?
Everyone knows what is good for them. All of us know we should take vitamins and have a balanced diet and cut back on fast food and sodas. The problem is that those fast food places often look far more tempting and interesting than a walk down the supermarket aisles picking out healthy alternatives. People want something which gets them excited and motivated.
That is what I want to offer with the Vilnius Jewish Library. Imagine walking into a library, any library, and getting excited about being there. Think of a cultural center in which people of all ages and religions actually want to visit. Jews write about much more than Jewish religion and the Shoah. Look at the wonderful books being written by the Kellermans which includes Faye, Jonathan, and their son Jesse. Should they be excluded because they write mysteries? Lots of people including myself enjoy a good mystery. What about the books of Michael Chabon and Aaron Hamburger?
I could go on and on with a list of incredible novelists, poets, playwrights, humorists, and observers of the human condition. Should they be excluded because the subject matter is not enough "Jewish"? We can include Herman Wouk's "Marjorie Morningstar" because it was a big bestseller featuring a Jewish main character. However, should we exclude his "A Hole in Texas" because there is no Jewish theme? Do we want the world to think that Jews only think about and write about Jews?
Think of walking into a space filled with every type of book from children's to sports to music, math, medicine, science, even cookbooks. All of the greatest and latest works of fiction along with thousands upon thousands of volumes on Jewish religion, history, and yes the Shoah. As if that is not enough, think of walking in and being able to find thousands of CDs and DVDs. Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List" will be available for all. Since Spielberg is Jewish, there will also be all the other films he has done including the Indiana Jones series as well as Jurassic Park. Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Barbara Streisand, Gwyneth Paltrow, will all be available on DVD. As for music CDs, everything from klezmer to the Beastie Boys to KISS will be there for all to hear.
But wait! There is more! Yes, I feel like a pitchman for a product. We have books of every kind so that anyone can walk in and find something they like. We have thousands of CDs and DVDs for your pleasure. Then to top it all off, each night would see cultural events taking place done by anyone and everyone on anything of interest to them. There would be art exhibitions, music concerts, poetry readings, and lectures. These would be done by Jews and Gentiles on whatever they felt like. This would get people through the door who might not otherwise visit the library. This will get many of them coming back later to discover the beauty contained within.
All of this what I have offered to the Jewish community. The Jews in Vilna encouraged me to start the library. They wrote letters of support. Then after I spent every last dime I have in buying the books and shipping them to Lithuania, the Jews here then turned their backs on me. Now I am sitting with thousands of books and no money in financial ruin. When a gentile gives his heart and soul and his last dime to promote tolerance, perhaps he should not be rejected and tossed aside. There are understandable complaints from the Jewish community regarding anti-Semitism. Yet what does it say when someone reaches out in love and respect and is turned away? The truly sad part is that what is needed does not require money. So perhaps there needs to be a little less of the wailing and a little more work which will truly strengthen Jewish culture.
Dear Wyman. I encourage you to have faith and continue with your efforts.I would like to know more about your efforts.Over the years I have created my own Holocaust book and video library. I have taught Holocaust studies on the graduate blevel and published numerous books.You should be congratulated and lauded for your efforts. Look me up opn the web and write to me at Congregation Beth El , Edison Nj o8817 If nothing else, I hope to continue to encourage you. We need more people like you.Maybe someone reading this will come forward to help you with funds.
P.S Maybe some university in America that wishes to purchase his library might reach out to Wyman or if I can help, communicate with me.I also encourage our readers to help this gentleman. Unfortunately I have a small congregation with limited funds, but some of my colleagues have excess to substantial funds for such a worthy purpose.
The problem is as Jack Wertheimer knows as well anyone researching this problem has been a real one for a long time. One of the few effective answers has been the 'Birthright Program' which in bringing young Jews to Israel provided them an opportunity to deepen in Jewish knowledge and identity. As for the wish for a 'non- genetic Judaism' I can only say that the generation to generation transmission of a Tradition is a central ideal and idea of Judaism. And the historical memory of what other Jews have lived and done to remain Jews is too a part of what creates the Jewish people as a community. The teaching of Jewish history and the connecting of the individual with collective experience and memory is a central means of preserving and creating Jewish identity.
It's time for all people, especially Jews, to understand that Jews are a TRIBE, i.e., a nation. Abraham followed God to get a land and start a nation! Why else would he leave his comfortable home to wander around aimlessly? Which is exactly what the assimilationist seem to want. Jewish tribal law is explicit. Tribal membership is either through being born to a Jewish mother, or acceptance by the tribe for those few who are willing to undergo a very difficult, purposely unwelcoming "conversion" process where they leave their old tribe and become grafted into the people of Judah.
It is also time for Jewish father and mothers to explain to their sons in particular, that taking a non-Jewish spouse means not having Jewish children. If that is their choice, then fine, but at least they have been warned. Those who want to leave the tribe in their desire to be accepted by others, that is their choice, and good luck to them. As for those who want to remain part of the Jewish nation have to accept a certain minimal request - not to take foreign women. This has been the law at least since the time of Ezra, and even from earlier on. We trace our Hebrew ancestry back to Sarah the first wife of Abraham. Arabs trace theirs to Hagar, the Egyptian servant girl that Sarah asked Abraham to take when her faith was weak in the promise that she would bear a child.
The Jewish nation has been a small one, with a small homeland, and does not depend soley on physical numbers. It requires those who are determined and dedicated to remain part of it and not on those whose allegiance and adherence is shaky at best. Unlike Islam, we do not put a death sentence on those who choose to depart. It's a loss, but in some ways a gain, as it reduces the number of internal dissidents and malcontents. Everyone has been given free will. They should use it wisely and hopefully make the right decision. Let their conscience be their guide.
So long as the Orthodox, especially the Ultra-Orthodox keep breeding like rabbits we'll be fine. Most of the offspring of the Reform and the Conservatives (and others) will disappear.
I have several observations. First, it is very expensive to be Jewish. Our married daughter, who has placed great importance on being a stay at home mother until children are school age, faces many expenses to be part of the Jewish community. There are ever increasing synagogue dues, JCC membership dues, Hebrew Academy pre-school tuition (and future day school tuitions), contributions to the annual Federation campaign, plus many minor expenses. For many young families, including hers, these expenses are daunting, especially in a recession.
Second, many of our synagogues are not welcoming to interfaith marriages. Instead of leaving the door open to a non Jewish spouse to learn more about Judaism and possible future conversion, these couples and their families can be rudely treated by synagogue representatives. This drives families away rather than bringing them closer to Jewish life.
Third, many of our services are so mired in tradition that they are stultifyingly boring. Young people today need to feel a spiritual connection to Judaism. They need to see it relevant to their lives. And, yes, they need to have a sense of enthusiasm for it. We need to somehow make services something they want to attend not something they have to attend to fulfill certain requirements.
I know many Jews who are searching for a meaningful spiritual experience. Unfortunately, they are finding it elsewhere, as evidenced by how many are involved in meditation groups, Buddhist groups, and other spiritual traditions. Maybe the Jewish community could do a study as to what about these alternatives are attracting so many of our people and incorporate aspects (that would not conflict with our belief system) into our services and communal life. Many will probably disagree with this but there is a reason our numbers are dwindling and it is not just a low birthrate.
The decline in number of adherents is not unique to Judaism - the churches of Europe are empty. The difference is that Christianity has a wellspring of dedicated immigrants and converts to replenish the fold. What we need is a new Khazaria - and the place to find it is in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopian Jews would be the ideal missionaries. No, we can't? Yes we can.
Throw open the doors,show the many positive sides of our Judaism. For those who chose to live in a 16th century Judaism,fine,please do. Just don't expect that every Jew today to join you.And stop putting modern Jews down as being anti-Jewish. As for converts,we should be accepting them with open arms.They bring with them a strong love for the core values Of Judaism.We should be shouting those core values from the roof-tops.Just by being a leader in the Green Movement,Tikkun HaOlam,Judaism is a part of the here and now world.Not a backward,closed-minded sect. The State of Israel must recognize all streams of Judaism and stop seeing us non-traditional Jews as just political-cash cows.
The Jewish nation does NOT need more converts! The one time that Jews actually when on a drive to convert, we got Herod who was the child of a converted Arab princess. While he was a great builder, he was also a great murderer and usurping puppet of the Romans. Nor do the Jews need religious fanatics. It needs more reasonable, moderate Jews who are not fanatical one way or the other. The tendency of Jews to be either fanatically "pious" or become fanatical atheists is most distressing. We no longer have to live in the ghettos. We have a liberated homeland. While I am not religious anymore, and while the Orthodox shul is the synagogue I don't regularly attend, yet I don't repudiate the traditions and standards it has imparted to us. We will not remain a nation if we seek refuge in foreign ideologies or theologies.
We should become a normal people, proud of our traditions and culture which is second to none. But not xenophobic that has to disparage the cultures or traditions of other people. WE can choose to live alongside others secure in ourselves, or go back to the homeland as we choose. That is, no different than any other ethnic or national group.
As for the role of the Rabbinate in Israel, while I agree there are some problems that could be worked out if there was a spirit of compromise, which unfortunately is in short supply on all sides of the issue, but overall I support the Rabbinate's desire to keep the integrity of our people so that they don't forget the source of its traditions and culture. I lived in Israel for a decade and know there is no shortage of problems and complications, but nothing that can't be ironed out if there was a spirit of understanding and compromise encouraged by all of us who are sincere in desiring to see the Jewish nation to remain a viable and unique culture.
Many secular Jews have embraced political life as a replacement for Jewish cultural life. This is also true for secular Christians. The difference is that secular political values in this country are informed by religious Christian values.
As Jews we don't need to insist on religious dogmas though we should insist that our children be taught Jewish history and culture. This means learning the Hebrew language above all.
Jack Garbuz take a break.
@Toby:
"Being Jewish isn't merely a religious matter ..." I'll say. I believe myself to be thoroughly "Jewish," whatever that means. This characteristic has been thrust on me by my parents, who were lucky enough to survive the Holocaust, unlike the rest of their large families. My father was a Communist Jew, and despised the tszitzes-beissers and the daveners - his attitude was similar to Ben-Gurion who famously said "The religious? What are they good for?" (paraphrase.) In any case, in a world where Jewishness is not merely a religious matter, I am thus unabashedly and undoubtedly "Jewish".
This condition that was essentially foisted on me, stimulated enough interest for me to move to Israel where I, in due time, was drafted into the IDF and served in a combat unit.
Such are my Jewish bona fides. I apologize if insufficient space has been given to "god's" will and other atavistic ideas brained out by pre-technological desert dwellers. As a son of the Enlightenment, I discard such notions as the products of less advanced civilizations attempting to explain the natural world. For me to participate in rituals that address supernatural beings and their "requirements" for humans is unthinkable.
@Toby:
I wonder what conclusions you would have arrived at had I posted my first comment under a different pseudonym, say, "Yisroel Judelevich?" Would you have assumed he's non-Jewish too? "Hode," friend, means "head" in Norwegian. I'm sure you can take it from there ...
in infinity of time nationalism, imperialism, and cults {muslim, christian, mosheic} appear ephemeral in existence. Imperialism is already dead; replaced by terrestrial conquest.
Either-Or structure of thinking appears pertinent to a conclusion that we wld have either a much egalitarian society or a much/complete master-serf/slave one. Is there a third societal structure available? I can't at this time envision the third way!
One ought to note, that since ca. 10k-15k yrs ago, we've had but master-serf/slave relationship! For the last few decades, master-serf relationship had been better than throughout recorded history but now appears to be worsening. tnx
"...his attitude was similar to Ben-Gurion who famously said "The religious? What are they good for?"
In Ben Gurion's case and succecesive Labour Prime Ministers afterwards, "they" were good for coalition building. It's unfortunate that they had to sell their souls and that of the republic in the process.
"...As a son of the Enlightenment, I discard such notions as the products of less advanced civilizations attempting to explain the natural world. For me to participate in rituals that address supernatural beings and their "requirements" for humans is unthinkable."
I enjoyed your posts, Richard. I was especially fascinated with the above comment. It reminded me of an excellent book I read while in college; "...Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture" by Marvin Harris.
http://www.amazon.com/Cows-Pigs-Wars-Witches-Riddles/dp/0679724680
The premise of the supposition is that most religous superstitions are based in scientific and physiological realities. For example The judaic (and muslim) prohibition against eating pork may be explained thusly. The original hebrew tribes were desert nomads (not unlike the Bedouin). As such they had to be able to extract whatever sustenance they could from their surroundings. One of the few sources of protein (not to mention edible meat) that was plentiful, was wild boar. Well as you know, the problem with pork is the cooking. Long story short, everybody started to get triganosis and began to die. The smartest guy in the tribe was the local witch doctor or shaman. You know, like whatshisface; "Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg", only honest. Not having an understanding of human phsyiology himself, he could only conclude that the illness was a punishment by and of the local diety. Luckily, the tribe had all the brains of a doorknob(somethings never change), so all that was necessary was a stern warning in the form of; "The Sun God commands you not to eat the beast with the snouts and the horns"
So as you can see, from this lack of understanding an entire industry was created from which emanated snake oil salesman such as bernie, rabbinical child molesters such as mondrowitz and kolko and degenerate catholic priests.
Hode,
"My father was a Communist Jew, and despised the tszitzes-beissers and the daveners - his attitude was similar to Ben-Gurion who famously said "The religious? What are they good for?" (paraphrase.) In any case, in a world where Jewishness is not merely a religious matter, I am thus unabashedly and undoubtedly "Jewish"."
if that is the case, why not help preserve Jewish secular culture instead of just attacking the religious Jews?
I am not religious but I do admire their determination to preserve the Jewish people. We should be emulating them.
"In Ben Gurion's case and succecesive Labour Prime Ministers afterwards, "they" were good for coalition building. It's unfortunate that they had to sell their souls and that of the republic in the process."
It's called democracy.
Of course in Communist Russia they would have been sent to Siberia. This is what enlightenment means to people like Sea Pirate.
I think its time for the reform and conservative movement to admit that their way is leading the Jewish people to extinction, and just like a company when it performs very badly it goes bankrupt its time for these movements void of anything Jewish to declare bankruptcy and not try to save itself by converting every guy in the world. a concerned hasidic jew in new jersey. muti
"My father was a Communist Jew, and despised the tszitzes-beissers and the daveners - "
Communism is also a relgion. It's worse since it had murdered many more people than did the religious fanatics.
@Toby:
"... why not help preserve Jewish secular culture instead of just attacking the religious Jews?"
But I do preserve Jewish values, and that even shows in my posts. I respect my parents, got an education, lived in Israel, and buy gefilte fish at the local supermarket. Was there any other important feature of Jewish secular tradition that I missed? While in Israel I participated in many aspects of "Jewish secular culture," including going to the store to buy bread, in a normal life of normal people. I assure you, "Jewish secular culture" can be very mundane. It seems concepts like these have a near-mystic importance for Jews in the Diaspora as something to be "preserved." (There is possibly a tinge of paranoia here.)
The truth is that I feel no greater affinity for Jewish persons than for any others because I treat everyone equally. Whether the person's name is Yisroel Judelevitch or Shiu-Lan Chang, it makes not the slightest bit of difference. It's not as if I have a secret handshake to exchange with Mr. Judelevitch to signal that I AM A JEW TOO! The concept of "Jewish secular culture" is bizarre, in my view.
There are a number of reasons why assimilation is not a topic for serious discussion in the American Jewish community. First and foremost, it must be stated that "assimilation" is a term that, in the past, was used in a positive sense. The Yiddish-speaking Jews were called upon to assimilate - to abandon their distinctiveness and become Americans. The Forward would editorialize on such a topic. Obviously, no one imagined 100 years ago such a total collapse of Jewish identity. So, the process of Americanization was perceived as positive, as the key to success. It's almost impossible now to present such a success as a failure. The Jewish public cannot understand that its successful integration into the American scene is now to be regarded as a mistake.
It should be added that even those concerned with assimilation are themselves assimilated Jews! One's primary identity in America is American. The abandonment of Yiddish was not a trivial matter. One's language carries a primary identity, one's sense of group belonging and cultural affinity. Swedish-speaking children do not sit around the campfire, listening to a lesson that is supposed to explain to them what it means to be Swedish. Armenian communities all over the Middle East continue to speak their own language, even as a very small minority. They understand in their instincts the abc's of communal identity. Jewish children, on the other hand, must be sent to summer camp in order to explain to them that which is no longer self-evident - that they are part of an ancient people. And, indeed, it is no longer self-evident. Typically, an American Jew will tell you that "Jewish" is his religion, even though he is not particularly religious. In other words, "Jewish" is not particularly important.
It seems that the situation is grim. It hard to believe that a secondary identity will maintain itself throughout the generations. There will always be very committed Jews; but, for most, "Jewishness" will become trivial.
"There are a number of reasons why assimilation is not a topic for serious discussion in the American Jewish community. First and foremost, it must be stated that "assimilation" is a term that, in the past, was used in a positive sense. The Yiddish-speaking Jews were called upon to assimilate - to abandon their distinctiveness and become Americans. The Forward would editorialize on such a topic. Obviously, no one imagined 100 years ago such a total collapse of Jewish identity. So, the process of Americanization was perceived as positive, as the key to success. It's almost impossible now to present such a success as a failure. The Jewish public cannot understand that its successful integration into the American scene is now to be regarded as a mistake."
Ben Levy makes an excellent point.
However, in the past assimilation had a specific meaning: giving up the Yiddish patois, learning English, becoming American citizens, and above all American culture.
Today, though, in the era of multi culturalism, there is no single American culture and assimilation means giving up Jewishness it has no other and positive meaning. Even the national language is being challenged by other immigrnats (Spanish, etc.) We are becoming a multi lingual society.
So, Ben Levy what do you assimilate to? Do you embrace of the many sub cultures, Black American, Hispanic, Chinese? To assimiliate to wasp culture is fast becoming assimilation into another minority culture.
Better to retain your own culture than substitute one minority culture for another.
"But I do preserve Jewish values..."
Richard Hode's notions of "Jewish culture" are a joke.
You first have to learn what Jewish culture is before you say you preserve it.
But then as it was pointed out above with a father for a Communist I am not surprised that you don't know much about Jewish culture any more than you know about Jewish religious culture as is evicenced by you parodic treatment of it in your post above.
I am not religious but I am not paranoid about religious Jews as you and some other posters seem to be.
Your own culture and relgion is "universal communism" it certainly isn't Judaism and your paranoid animus toward Jews is evident in every post.
"Jewish secular culture" can be very mundane. It seems concepts like these have a near-mystic importance for Jews in the Diaspora as something to be "preserved." (There is possibly a tinge of paranoia here.)
Richard Hode obviously meant “obsessive” but like a good little communist used the word “paranoia” which is something that’s on communists mind all the time.
Communist accusing others of being paranoid is a sick joke. Given that they spent most of their time in power killing people. This too is your culture. So much for your enlightenment values.
"For me to participate in rituals that address supernatural beings and their "requirements" for humans is unthinkable." Richard Hode
No, but he is willing to participate in rituals of mass murder in order to create a fantastic and supernatural ideal communist community.
Dottie Goldman -Only truly useful post here.
Jack Wertheimer:
"Those who reject the language of crisis when describing this state of affairs in favor of an appeal to individual preferences must explain how they propose to re-create a culture of Jewish responsibility on that basis. If we want to strengthen our community amidst the prevailing individualistic culture, we had better start with straight-talk about our current condition."
There's your problem right there. You want to "re-create a culture of Jewish responsibility" among people who feel no connection to the Jewish community and may never have had meaningful contact with it. You have to start with A before you get to B,D etc.
There is also nothing wrong with working within peoples needs. The BEST Jewish outreach in the US right now is carried out by Chabad and other Harediim, love them or loathe them open your eyes and learn from them. They don't do it by asking for large amounts of money, haranging people for not being "pure" enough, guilt trips or lectures on "what we're all about". They do it by meeting needs and interests: Need mommy-and-me? Chabad offers a cheap one. Want to go to a Purim party? Chabad organizes one. Cheap summer camp? Yup. Want somewhere to go for Shabbat dinner? Chabad. Bar Mitzvah for your son? $500 bucks a year, but if you can't afford that, just show up. No membership necessary. Child of intermarriage? No problem. Is there a price to pay? Yes, once in the circle, they will keep reaching out - they are messianic Jews after all. We would do well to notice that what they offer initially -unconditional acceptance, low cost alternatives and response to family needs appears to work well. Other Jewish groups should take notice.
Rabbi Rosenberg -
You want to reach out with name calling? Let's retire "self hating Jew". It's a pathetic slur that does nothing to bring Jews together, or to accept that Jews can have differing opinions.
Perhaps we can start to call those who use the term "Jew baiting Jews"?
Who cares if many or most American jews are lost to assimilation. Those who remain true to the culture and faith will keep it going as they always have. And genetics is most definitely a common ground for all Jews whose families have married-in for generations upon generations. Of course, in todays Politically Correct circles, 'diversity' and 'multi-culturalism' are the required mantras but the value in preserving the DNA which contain the unique talents and qualities of the Jewish race, yes race, are obvious to any keen observer of the world and its inhabitants.
Yam. Thanks for the continued publicity. I have actually written 8 books The one mentioned is used by theological scholars, that leaves an ignoramous like you out. Coward, what is your real name. Do you even have a job? Keep attacking , your stupidity becomes more evident. By the way, what have you published lately besides insults, four letter words and ignorant thoughts.
Me dost think you prostest too much. Peer review, bernie, peer review. Where is it?
Look bernie, I don't know what the problem is. If you're a scholar with several published works to his credit, there would be some peer review, no? Direct me to where I can find it so I can post a link or refrence a publication. By doing this you'll be able to dicredit all of us who think you're an empty suit.
"..Shoded's worst offense is that he has not said anything relevant to the topic being discussed here."
Mea Culpa. Guilty as charged. Allow me to rectify that oversight.
The problem of assimilation can be summed up thusly this; The Reform, Conservative and Orthodox sects of Judaism do not speak to the spirtual or temporal needs of the majority of younger jewish couples. The high fees and the resultant economic stratification of the synagogues are a sop to a generation of Jews who value monetary success above all else. Now this may go over a treat with Irving and Estelle as they pull into the temple parking lot in their Bayerlische Moter Werks automobile for Shabbat services, but its a turn off to the rest of us who are part of families with two struggling working parents, who are just looking to maintain a connection to G-d, our heritage and the community without having to go frum and buy into religous fanaticisms. When you go to temple for High Holy Days, its supposed to be about making your peace with G-d and the world around you. It's not supposed to be a high school reunion, where the primary concern is keeping up with the Shapiro's.
While the individual synagogues and temples are culpable at a local level, they are but a fractile of a much larger paradigm and therefore philosophically speaking, cannot be blamed. When the Jewish Federation has enough money to lose $16,000,000 dollars in fraudulent stock speculations with Mr. Madoff on one hand, while closing the JCC's with the other, when theres enough Jews willing to donate money to expand the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in order to accomadate catered weddings and bar mitzvahs for well-heeled Beverly Hills Jews but not a dime to maintain a Jewish Pre-School for those Jews of less means, the message becomes clear. We're not wanted. Now you can stop wondering why there's so much intermarraige and assimilation.
Now, now, gentlemen, gentlemen. Instead of this internecine warfare I direct your attention to a current thread in The Independent (UK): "Don't Israel's nuclear weapons count?" There are many anti-Israel posters there who could do with some debate. (However, vituperation is not allowed.)
I suggest we train the artillery on the common enemy:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/yasmin-alibhai-brown/yasmin-alibhaibrown-dont-israels-nuclear-weapons-count-1794275.html
Of course, you're correct. But enough sturm und drang for one evening. It'll keep till tommorow
B.J. and Levy Stein (you Jewish?) are upholding the ancient Jewish tradition of cutting each others' throats while the common enemy is at the gate. These two gentlemen would have felt perfectly at home during the siege of Jerusalem in 69 C.E. The different factions fought each other tooth and nail inside the city, by assassinations and burning each others' food stores, while all Titus had to do was wait, and the prize fell into his hands like a .. a .. (insert your own simile, according to your disposition.)
Even if I dismiss religion as nonsense, the enemy doesn't, and that's what ultimately counts. If a Moslem religious fanatic comes to try to kill me, it will be of little comfort to know that he clings to a Medieval frame of mind. During such events, abstruse questions regarding the existence of "gods" become of practical, immediate, and critical concern. I suggest we look to our common defense.
David L Nilsson Israel has nothing to do with the assimilation of American Jewry. It's a process that started long before the State of Israel was established.
The problem today is that Jews in the US are assimilating into mainly into the wasp subculture which used to be the American mainstream but is no longer so. In other words they have become European Americans and not "Americans" since that is a contested term nowadays.
In a time of multiculturalism assimilation makes no sense.
You yourself sound like an adherent of Naturei Kartei with your talk of “godless Israel.” That Israel is a secular country is a positive thing and not something to criticize.
The Rabbis took power after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, and they played a critical and essential role in keeping our tribe essentially intact. But their usefulness was greatly reduced, and rightfully so, when they insisted on telling their congregants to remain and not emigrate to Palestine after the League of Nations miraculously opened it to free Jewish immigration. The Zionists pleaded with European Jewry to leave in the late 1920s and into the '30s, but antizionist rabbis feared for their loss of power over the masses. And, of course, at the other end of the spectrum, the dystopian communists and socialists continued to seek their salvation in a fools paradise as directed by Moscow. Or gold on the streets of America.
The simple fact is, that between 1920 and 1938, had 6 million Jews taken advantage of God's miraculous opening of the gates of Land of Israel by the League of Nations, there would have been no Holocaust, and they would have been alive and living in a Jewish state by 1938. It would have been hard, but not as hard as surviving WWII under the Nazi regime.
So the Rabbis, on the whole, played a very deleterious role in that era, and don't deserve the kind of respect they pompously demand for themselves. I'm not saying we shouldn't have rabbis, but they should know their place, which should be as learned spiritual advisers and not pompous chiefs.
To Jack Garbuz,
Your comment is loaded with information, but far too simplistic for anyone to believe that you mean it seriously. Who are the "Rabbis" and who are the "Zionists" of which you speak. The idea that the Zionists would have saved us all if only the stubborn Rabbis had allowed everyone to go to Israel, presupposes that all those who went were people who did not listen to Rabbis, and all those who stayed were those who did. The facts do not bear this out at all. Life would be alot simpler if one could rework the truth to suit his argument, but it would not be real life.
Well, I need not go any further than my own mother, obviously a survivor or I wouldn't be here writing this. Her own beloved mother (my grandmother) stopped her from going to Palestine from her shtetl in Poland, not necessarly because the rabbis said so, but because my mother was the apple of her eye. And Palestine was in turmoil due to the Arab riots and all. Needless to say, my mother's whole family was wiped out, and she was the sole survivor.
But the simple fact is, needing no deep thinking, is that when Palestine was officially and legally opened to free Jewish immigration after 1920, the physical response was underwhelming to say the least. Instead of blessing this miraculous opportunity, and encouraging their congregants to pack their bags and go, and even leading them there, most of the ultraorthodox and even orthodox rabbis scorned it and called it "idolatry" and pooh pooh it to this very day. What is even more shameful was the fact that many of those who assured their congregants that Hitler would "blow over" were not only proved wrong, but some even managed bribe their way out leaving behind their sheep to the slaughter.
Oh, and if you ask me which particular Zionist was really blowing the clarion call, I could point you to Zev Jabotinsky in particular.
So Jews can absolve themselves completely. God had opened the gates of Eretz Yisrael and only a few sheep (though I would call them rams) heeded the call and put their faith in Zion, and not in rabbis.
Dottie: It’s not expensive to be Jewish, but it is to belong to Jewish organizations and to conform to their folkways. These organizations and folkways are boring, irrelevant, and folks either don’t have funds or have other uses for funds. Congregations are sometimes welcoming – those will foster conversion and happy Jewish homes – but where are they? Those that are not turn off both intermarried families and fully Jewish families. Who cares about them? Benai Jeshurun (NYC)’s shabbat eve service is traditional and spiritual – superb but not replicated. (It’s held in a Church as an alternate location) Buddism, new age stuff, politics – all confidence games. Chabad has been successful, and competitors rightly feel threatened – not for everyone though – and there is that picture of the Rebbe… . However, who serves those Chabad is not for? (I mean actually serves, not pretends to … yes, I mean you) Converts to Judaism (as elsewhere) love it, so intermarriage properly managed is an excellent answer – one not articulated effectively (yeah, there are ineffective organizations in this space, writing ineffective stuff -- if they were any good, we’d know about it.) Jack: Lots of false prophets and recently, false profits. How to make it real? And who? Toby: Isn’t the Shema our creed? (with various interpretations) nix on Hebrew Multiple posters: get a room Shoded: Pretty good, congrats. You didn’t ask Bernie if any of his 8 books made any difference with respect to the issue at hand -- who cares if yeshiva bookers read it? We’re losing hundreds of thousands. Dershowitz has some great books – but not really a movement to support his solutions – Bronfman and Steinhardt are also pretty good – we need to target the intermarried, gentile spouses in a Chabad-like way (doing so in an un-Chabad like way: excepting the three required refusals to discuss Judaism in a welcoming way with gentiles) Hode; The enemy are the absolutely lousy leadership across the board – if they cared about Judaism, they’d find real work elsewhere – look at their results!! Maybe write 8 books? Jack: Pretty good also re Jewish leadership, seemingly unchanged since the Sanhedrin -- Israel in the 1900’s almost in its entirety was not very pleasant, nor was Europe. So the USA was a destination. Now, are we about to see a shift? It is useful to influence the USA as a force for good, across the board – indirectly as well. Michael: Taking my last point and moving it in your direction – it’s a good thing we Jews helped America. comments and more accepted at ajcwerfel@yahoo.com
Agree 100% with Adrian.
I have a fair number of Jewish friends that went on MASA-type sponsored trips to Israel as youths only because their grandparents threatened to withhold their inheritence or trust funds if they didn't go! To this day, not one of them talks of Aliyah or feels any real connection to Israel.
Michael,
re.
"...The idea that the Zionists would have saved us all if only the stubborn Rabbis had allowed everyone to go to Israel, presupposes that all those who went were people who did not listen to Rabbis, and all those who stayed were those who did. The facts do not bear this out at all."
Anybody whose ever gone to the track or served in the miltary, know's there's no sure thing. Nonetheless, Herzl never envisioned Israel as a "light unto the nations", and never envisioned the Israeli as a "Shtetl Jew". The idealization of the ghetto tzaddik, with his streimel and peyes, reveling in his piety and rigid absolutism is purely an American Jewish obsession. Herzl understood that this cultural and physical paradigm would eventually get us killed. He was prophetic. In short the Holocaust was not about glorious victims, it was about collective cowardice and physical weakness on a scale heretofore not seen in the modern era. If Zionism had had a wider appeal, had it not been soley the provence of middle-class Jewish intellectuals, could it have prevented or ameliorated the Holocaust? Don't know. What we do know is that the 600,000 Jews of the Yishuv survived the Holocaust, while 6,000,000 european Jews did not.
As an addendum to the above statement, I should like to add that, in the final analysis, the 6 million could not be held reponsible for allowing themselves to be murdered. They could not be held reponsible for what they had become. I suggest that the responsibility and cause of the murder of 6 million people was rooted in the culture of the shtetl, the yeshiva, the ghetto. The shoah did not occur in the blink of an eye. It took centuries to incubate in the petri-dish of mittel-europa. This development did not go unoticed by certain individuals, of which Herzl was only one.
The majority of Jews who came to Israel didn't do so because they were avid Zionists or anything like that. Between 1920 and 1931, just before Hitler came to power, the Jewish population in Palestine had only grown from 50,000 to about 175,000 even though the gates were wide open. That is to say, only about 125,000 had come and stayed. The other 16 million or so Jew chose to remain right where they were. It is not natural or normal for people to leave their homes and livelihoods to go to a desert to live in poverty and struggle, and even be the target of brigands.
When Hitler came to power some German Jews were allowed to Palestine, but most had absolutely no desire whatsoever to do so, and many probably still pine after their lost good life in Germany to this day. Most came only because there was a "ha'avara" agreement with the Nazis that allowed them to transfer some money to Palestine with them. This came to an end in the mid-1930s under Arab pressure especially when the Grand Mufti and the Nazis began to collaborate. Most German Jews tried to get to nearby free countries, or to America, which was closed to all but the most influential German Jews. Of course by 1939 the British violated the terms of the League of Nations Mandate and closed immigration to only 15,000 a year to placate the Arabs who supplied them with oil, but even so few Jews chose to come even then. Even that small quota was not filled.
But once the Holocaust was over, roughly half the remaining refugees who had survived finally realized that Palestine (Eretz Yisrael)was where they must go. But overall, the history of Aliya for most has been one of being "pushed" into it rather than being "pulled" there by Zionist or even religious sentiment. So to expect Americanized Jews to be overtaken by messianic or nationalist zeal to get up and risk their lives or careers or money in such an adventure is not very realistic. The way I see it, American Jews, for the most part, will only reluctantly come if their material situation in the US so deteriorates that even Israel might offer them more opportunities. Or if Muslims take over America. Otherwise, it will take a miracle.
"...The majority of Jews who came to Israel didn't do so because they were avid Zionists or anything like that. Between 1920 and 1931, just before Hitler came to power, the Jewish population in Palestine had only grown from 50,000 to about 175,000 even though the gates were wide open."
Granted. However the appeal of living in Palestine was only attractive to those who were either ideologically motivated or could afford to do so as individuals for economic reasons. The 1st and 2nd Aliyot representing the former, the 3rd and 4th Aliyot, largely representing the latter. Those jews of lesser means, minds clouded by halachic gibberish, courtesy of the village shaman, were either cut out of the loop economically, or insulated from such corruption by melameds jealous of their perogatives. The question of whether or not it would've been "natural" for 16,000,000 Jews to leave there homes is academic, since most of them were never given the choice, and the rest weren't equipped to make the choice even if they could've.
The majority of Jews who came to Israel didn't do so because they were avid Zionists or anything like that. Between 1920 and 1931, just before Hitler came to power, the Jewish population in Palestine had only grown from 50,000 to about 175,000 even though the gates were wide open. That is to say, only about 125,000 had come and stayed. The other 16 million or so Jew chose to remain right where they were. It is not natural or normal for people to leave their homes and livelihoods to go to a desert to live in poverty and struggle, and even be the target of brigands.
When Hitler came to power some German Jews were allowed to Palestine, but most had absolutely no desire whatsoever to do so, and many probably still pine after their lost good life in Germany to this day. Most came only because there was a "ha'avara" agreement with the Nazis that allowed them to transfer some money to Palestine with them. This came to an end in the mid-1930s under Arab pressure especially when the Grand Mufti and the Nazis began to collaborate. Most German Jews tried to get to nearby free countries, or to America, which was closed to all but the most influential German Jews. Of course by 1939 the British violated the terms of the League of Nations Mandate and closed immigration to only 15,000 a year to placate the Arabs who supplied them with oil, but even so few Jews chose to come even then. Even that small quota was not filled.
But once the Holocaust was over, roughly half the remaining refugees who had survived finally realized that Palestine (Eretz Yisrael)was where they must go. But overall, the history of Aliya for most has been one of being "pushed" into it rather than being "pulled" there by Zionist or even religious sentiment. So to expect Americanized Jews to be overtaken by messianic or nationalist zeal to get up and risk their lives or careers or money in such an adventure is not very realistic. The way I see it, American Jews, for the most part, will only reluctantly come if their material situation in the US so deteriorates that even Israel might offer them more opportunities. Or if Muslims take over America. Otherwise, it will take a miracle.
Shoded Yam, I'm on your side. I'm a failed Zionist. Lived in Israel for ten years, but eventually, and to my deep regret, had to retreat back to America. Had a son who was born there, but now is in the US Navy. I'm still a dedicated Zionist at heart, and hope that someday my son might go back and build a life there. Either that, or otherwise he'll probably marry a shiksa in America and be lost. Zionists are idealists in a world where idealists get their brains knocked out. But I refuse to give up the hope that someday millions of American Jews will come and stay. Herzl had a dream which was highly unlikely, and yet it partially came true. Without HaTikvah, there is no future.
"I'm a failed Zionist"
Heres the the thing, Jack. Once you've lived, loved, fought, eaten (where the hell else can you get 9% cottage cheese, I ask you?), danced, goofed off, gotten drunk, gone down to Sharm el Sheikh and looked at naked women on the beach in this place, it never gets out of your bones. I also lived their for 10 years, served in Zahal(met my wife whilst serving) for three, and was a kibbutznik in the Arava for the rest. Everyday experiences take on a texture in Israel, that they don't take on anywhere else. I'm sure you've had them. Here, I'll give you one of mine.
This happened while I was in the Army. I got an eshur yitziyah for the weekend. Before I left this friend of mine told me this story about this waitress with the biggest tits in Israel. No, really. He said; "You've got to see this. You won't believe it, their like honeydews". "Where does she waitress?"; I asked. Down at a truck stop at a place called "Tsomet Castina"; he replied.
As it turned out I had a friend who was in Chativat 7, based out of macheneh julius down by ashkelon. Tsomet Castina was right there. I gave my friend a call. As it turns out he had fallen mispar movet that weekend, so I decided I could kill 2 birds with one stone. I could keep my friend company AND see the biggest tits in Israel.
I immeaditley pack my things an rush out and catch the next bus south. I made it to Tsomet Castina at about 1:30 in the afternoon. In addition to the storied truck stop, the junction had the added importance of being the place that I had to catch the bus to the base(in any event, I tramped). I went inside the truckstop, sat down at a table. Ordered some hummus and pitot. Have not seen the rack yet. Food comes to the table. I begin eating. Still, no rack. I'm just about to finish the hummus when sky darkens above my head. It was like a solar eclipse, except with flourescent lights. I look up and there she is, the chick with the biggest tits in Israel, holding on to a plate of olives. Involuntarily, (and in english), I yelped out; "Holy Shit!" I swear to god, the whole place bust out laughing.
Later, when I got to Julius and I hooked up with my buddy, I told him about my experience. He laughed and said; "She's nothing. Wait till you see her sister".
Lets face it. This could've happened anywhere. But it didn't happen anywhere. It happened at a dusty truck stop outside of Ashkelon. These sorts of memories preclude being anything but a zionist. So Jack, you haven't failed at anything. And with that, I wish you a good night.
SY
One last thing. Has your son been deployed overseas? If so? How is he doing?
Shoded: You cracked me up. I had all forgotten about the waitress with the biggest tits in the world. I have been to that place and seen them too (dressed, of course.) That woman was famous all over Israel. I seem to remember she was from Britain.
"The traditional narrative is that the Nazis committed the Holocaust"
The fact that the shtetl helped them (with comparitivley few exceptions) by meekly submitting is conveniently forgotten. I wonder why?
"Silly Me"
You got that right.
Richard,
You and I are truly fortunate to have witnessed what can truly be described as an Eighth Wonder of the World. For some reason, I didn't recall her nationality. Ahahahahahaha :-)
To Shoded Yam
One thing about Israel, there's never a dull day. Something - for better or worse - is always happening. However the old Chinese curse comes to mind, "May you live in interesting times." Israel is an interesting place, which unfortunately is both a blessing and a curse.
For what it's worth, this morning I had my usual bagel and coffee at a local McDonalds. I am obviously not an Orthodox Jew, even though I attended an Orthodox shul in my youth. I consider myself Conservative. I read Etz Hayim and the commentaries often for guide and inspiration.
I have Orthodox friends and acquaintences. I say, bless them all. I never criticize their beliefs or practices, even though to them, I am not much of a Jew.
And that brings me back to McDonalds. I generally hear Spanish spoken between a parent and child. Listen to me, Spanish is spoken, no shame here.
In my state of California, there are over 11m Hispanics...most speak Spanish, and have retained their Mexican or other South American country traditions, customs, and religion.
Why is it that we Jews are so self-conscious? Is it that we are ashamed to be Jewish? Are we looking over our shoulders at possible anti-Semitism to rear it's ugly head?
One poster writes that it took hundreds of years of sweat and blood to extradate ourselves from religion. I maintain that the sweat and blood was spent to guarantee freedom of religion, free to be Jewish, Hindu, Christian or Muslim, or agnostic.
What is so wrong in being "Jewish" I ask? I know that there are several branches of Judaism..One can choose to be Reform or ultra-Orthodox (or Haredi). Chabad, reaches out to hundreds of thousands of Jews, who, getting inspiration, attend their services. Not all Jews however, believe in Chabad. That's okay.
The real problem, as I see it is, what is a Jew? To answer that, I refer everyone to "What is a Jew" by Morris Kertzner. It is a guide to the beliefs, practices, and traditions of Judaism, by thd former WW2 chaplain.
One does not have to be Orthdox to be Jewish. There is much more involved. Genetics is immaterial, few can trace their DNA back to ancient Israel. One can be Jewish by conversion, or having a Jewish mother. (The Reform allow a Jewish father). Using Herod as an example is begging the question. So what!
We still don't seem to understand something obvious to all but the Jews. Being Jewish is a lifelong identity. Scratch an anti-Semite, and you will learn quickly how they define Jews. Listen to Al Qaeda, and the Iranian mullahs, Hebollah and Hamas for a definition of what is a Jew.
I can tell you what being Jewish is NOT, easier than being a Jew. It is not believing in a theology which says G-d allowed his son to be killed, so that he could save the world 2,000 years later from their sins., committed by the same people that were involved in the original killing. Or in believing that on Good Friday, one should be happy, though on Easter Sunday, one should be upset, not knowing whether one's G-d is alive or dead.
I can tell you that being Jewish is not believing in a religion that has re-incarnation as it's core, or a religion that has an intermediary between it's G-d and it's adherents.
I don't believe in a religion that has the devil around every corner..competing with G-d, or puts undue faith in an afterlife, where the faith is more important than the deeds.
People who intermarry are not lost, but simply deceived by the good sales job of the non-Jewish spouse.
I am reminded of an incident, when I was surrounded by a group of Evangelical Christians, on a mission in the area to convert Christian and non believers. When asked about my Jewishness, vs the "word", I answered "I like being Jewish, it's that simple. I believe in one G-d".
I recall when my supervisor, a Catholic, told me that Jews should be allowed to learn other religion and compare and contrast.
He should have looked into the mirror about Catholic practices and their methods of indoctrination. As several co-workers told me, "You are typically a Jew". Whatever that meant is still not clear to me. So much for Christian love.
I also recall when a non-Catholic asked me whether we are forced to listen to the same sermons over and over and over again, talk about boring services.
The comment about services was simply outrageous. One can always walk out of a service..at any time. One can go to a Reform or Conservative service if one chooses..for a watered down service.
Personally I enjoy a good service, the singing, the prayers, the feeling of sharing with others.
Sure, it's hard to be Jewish, even in this supposedly tolerant society.
For your information, the society is not as tolerant as we might think or like.
Jews who assimilate and intermarry, ARE to some extent lost.
By the time they often times wake-up, it's too late. Or as an acquaintence who is a gentle told me, "My husband is so darn Jewish. I cannot stand it anymor".
Frankly, knowing her religious beliefs, I cannot pity him.
As far as conversions..I believe quantity is about as important as quanlity. We need more (not less) Jews. We have something to offer or to sell. Why should be down on ourselves.
I like not having a G-dhead figure. I like the one G-d concept, w/o praying to icons and statures. I like being responsible for my own actions, and claiming it was G-ds will or G-d works in strange ways.
Dav Lev wrote: "One poster writes that it took hundreds of years of sweat and blood to extradate (sic) ourselves from religion. I maintain that the sweat and blood was spent to guarantee freedom of religion, free to be Jewish, Hindu, Christian or Muslim, or agnostic."
That poster was I. Regardless of my personal opinion about the existence of "god," I find it important that all religion be curbed. When the rabbis were rulers in their own domain they reigned with the same profligacy and abandon as their Christian counterparts in Europe a thousand years later. The problem is not the beliefs, but their drive for power. It is in the nature of the religious fanatic to impose his values on others if he can, because only he and his like-minded know the "truth" and anything else corrupts the moral fiber. Historically intimidation, imprisonment, and torture have accompanied theocracy, as we are able to observe in the in vitro case of the Moslem world. The West was subject to similar oppression by the Catholic Church and that was the burden that was eventually lifted. The religious stranglehold on free thought and speech was finally broken, and the arts and sciences flourished.
As a thought experiment, I find it interesting to speculate on what would happen if by magic the entire population of the United States suddenly became Jewish overnight, with a strong Orthodox majority. I wonder how long it would take to pass laws against the Conservative, Reform, and other flavors of Judaism. State power is irresistible to the religious, who need it to supplement inadequate heavenly assistance.
"...As a thought experiment, I find it interesting to speculate on what would happen if by magic the entire population of the United States suddenly became Jewish overnight,"
There goes the neighborhood.
>> “The majority of intermarried families raise their children in a faith other than Judaism or in two faiths or no faith at all; not surprisingly, when they reach adulthood, most of those offspring do not identify as Jews.”
I’m not sure that I agree with the observation, but even if it’s correct, why do we find this surprising or remarkable? The reception that those entering into an inter-faith relationship receive from most of the organised Jewish community can best be described as cold or hostile. The reception that the offspring off such unions can expect to receive is even worse, especially if the “wrong” partner (i.e. the mother) is not Jewish. Is it any wonder that most Jews prefer not to put themselves, their partners or their (potential) offspring through such humiliation?
The welcome that a prospective convert can expect to receive (in this or other scenarios) is no better. Whereas other faiths, cultures and clubs tend to welcome prospective new member with open arms, only Judaism – apparently still locked in medieval suspicion of Gentiles – fails to do so.
(Progressive Judaism in the broader sense does a much better of job of welcoming and inclusion, but even these streams are Not There Yet. Those to the religious right of progressive Judaism are quite simply unspeakable.)
Lastly, most if not all of the programs and initiatives referred to fail to address the basic, fundamental question asked by Rabbi Meir Kahane decades ago: Why Be Jewish? While I largely disagree with the answers he gave, the question remains. Remaining Jewish because we’re a shrinking group is not an answer, nor is the Holocaust or Israel or history or culture or cuisine. In the long run, probably only a religious or spiritual answer will prevail, one that avoids the extreme poles of Haredi Judaism and just being an ethical monotheist, or a good person of no particular persuasion.
To use some metaphors from the marketing world, our well-funded Jewish organisations and their well-groomed officials need to stop blaming the customer – the ex or non-affiliated Jew – for the crisis within Judaism and the Jewish world, and instead look at the product and the way it’s marketed more closely. In commerce and industry, blaming the customer for your loss of market share or mind share is a quick path to unemployment or irrelevance. It’s not very different in the world of continuity and faith.
(Cross-posted on eJewish Philanthropy)
From these talkbacks I have learned 2 things 1) Jews were responsible for the Holocaust because of rabbis (This does not of course account for the large number of assimilated Jews with military service who had been awarded the Iron Cross for true bravery, not beating up American tourists) 2) large tits will prevent assimilation
The true lesson is 3) Every shtetl (including the shtetl of Israel) has its own village idiots
"...Iron Cross for true bravery, not beating up American tourists."
They didn't give me an Iron Cross. Just a free falafel and a coke. Not that they needed to. I would've done it gratis. The lesson here is that Kahanists shouldn't write checks their bodies can't cash..
"...Jews were responsible for the Holocaust because of rabbis"
Jews were (and are) responsible for their own condition. As a function of that responsibility they should have been sufficiently aware of developments around them inorder to forestal or amrliorate subsequent events. Unfortunatley, Tevya the Milkman and the rest of the hand-wringing melameds prevented that from occurring.
Maskil Thu. Oct 1, 2009:
"I’m not sure that I agree with the observation, but even if it’s correct, why do we find this surprising or remarkable? The reception that those entering into an inter-faith relationship receive from most of the organised Jewish community can best be described as cold or hostile. The reception that the offspring off such unions can expect to receive is even worse, especially if the “wrong” partner (i.e. the mother) is not Jewish. Is it any wonder that most Jews prefer not to put themselves, their partners or their (potential) offspring through such humiliation?
The welcome that a prospective convert can expect to receive (in this or other scenarios) is no better. Whereas other faiths, cultures and clubs tend to welcome prospective new member with open arms, only Judaism – apparently still locked in medieval suspicion of Gentiles – fails to do so.
(Progressive Judaism in the broader sense does a much better of job of welcoming and inclusion, but even these streams are Not There Yet. Those to the religious right of progressive Judaism are quite simply unspeakable.)"
My own experience differs greatly from what you describe. My mom got a Reform conversion after meeting my dad who was born and raised a Reform Jew. They brought me up in a Reform temple. In college, I went regularly to the Hillel minyan. It was Orthodox with some Conservative members. After a few months my mom's conversion came up. I went to the local Orthodox rabbi and learned that I was not Jewish according to Orthodox law. I started studying the Noachide laws and the minyan stopped counting me, but other than that, nothing changed. I was still a welcomed part of the community. I still got invited to all the gatherings. My senior year, I even roomed with another minyan member and kept a kosher kitchen with him. My friendships with some of the guys in the minyan lasted years after graduation. Then, in grad school I got an Orthodox conversion to Judaism.
Compare this to how I was treated when I rejoined my childhood Reform Temple last year. At first I went regularly to the weekly Bible study, but I got tired of fellow congregants going on political rants against conservatives. I was there to connect with Judaism, not the platform of the Democrat Party. Within half I year, I gave up on reconciliation and neglected to renew my membership. I put those funds towards a subscription as a Meetup organizer. Next week, I’m starting a minyan. I may be unaffiliated with any of the traditional Jewish institutions, but I’m still an active Jew. Independent Judaism might be the future for American Jews. After all, American Jews managed for 180 years here before the first rabbis arrived.
I want someone here to explain to me how they can find the idea credible and reasonable, that in the Universe that we know there is a supreme being that takes a particular interest in the comings and goings of the human species on Earth. And not only the species in general, but a small subgroup in particular that proclaims to have been "chosen" by the "ruler of the Universe."
As we learn from science, our universe (possibly one among many) is an incredibly big place and humans are disappearingly small, traveling through space on an undistinguished planet in an undistinguished solar system in one of the outer spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy, which is one among *billions* of galaxies that we can observe, not counting those beyond our powers of observation.
I don't mean to be disrespectful to anyone, but with the best of intentions I can't see how anything can be said about any "ruler of the universe," much less such a ruler's intentions. I can't comprehend the belief that a "ruler" over such a vast domain as the known universe would pick a particular tribe of a relatively microscopic subspecies of primate on a remote planet and declare it "chosen" and special. Surely one doesn't need to be a wild-eyed radical or iconoclast to find such a notion beyond belief? How can the people I know, who kick the tires before they buy a car and are shrewd in business and keen in the perception of reality, believe that a "ruler of the universe" takes a special interest in them? Or perhaps they really don't believe it but go through the religious motions in order to stay with their group? How can a sane mind explain such a thing to itself?
And even so, in spite of the unreasonableness of it all, religions have billions and billions of adherents. It is an interesting window into the human mind and a ceaseless source of fascination for me.
Richard,
"...And even so, in spite of the unreasonableness of it all, religions have billions and billions of adherents. It is an interesting window into the human mind and a ceaseless source of fascination for me."
Someone once said, "You can go months without having sex. Try going a day without a rationalization"
What is religion, if not one enormous rationalization? It is the device by which people relieve themselves of responsability for their own actions, hence its popularity.
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