Jewish Identity

Passover

2007-04-09T20:30:00.000-04:00

So someone reminded me today about this blog....so I decided to allow the world back into my mind and discuss Passover.
Why is is that most Christians have no knowledge about Passover? Some of them do not even realize that the Last Supper was Jesus at a Passover Seder. Yes I know some people might find it shocking that Jesus, whose name was most likely Joshua, was Jewish. Although many Christians deny this, most people acknowledge this fact. The similarities between Passover and Easter aren't many other then they both are a kind of celebration for Spring.
Passover, contrary to many people's beliefs has nothing to do with Jesus, which for some may be obvious, but I cannot tell you how many times this semester I have had to explain to relatively intelligent people that Judaism has nothing to do with Jesus. Rather, Christianity comes from Judaism.
Passover, in short, is the story of Moses, in other words go watch The Prince of Egypt, and you'll have some idea what Passover is about. What is most important about Passover, at least from my perspective, is that idea that the Jews were once slaves in Egypt and because of Gd and Moses, they are a free people. This helps me to be grateful not only because I lead a pretty privileged life, but also for Israel. I consider Israel central to my Jewish identity and I believe that without the state of Israel the Jewish people would be like slaves maybe not literally but possibly metaphorically. The state of Israel allows the Jewish people to be free, to have open conversations about Jewish text, something they were unable to do freely for hundreds of years. That's my rant for the day....

Holocaust Denial

2006-12-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HolocaustDenial_83/4945_83.htm

The above is a link to the ADL's press release about the Conference being held in Tehran. The entire thing seems absurd! But the part that I found most interesting is that apparently the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thinks that, "believes that if he can prove that the Holocaust is an historical fiction, then not only will Israel's legitimacy disappear, but it will be revealed that Jews are frauds and imposters who tricked the world into giving them a state they did not 'deserve."
What kind of crazy person thinks that we can make up all those pictures, keeping in mind that the technology that we have today did not exist then. How would we magically make 6 million people disappear? It's just the craziest think I've ever heard and the whole thing makes me mad. And the fact that well educated people would chose to attend this conference makes me even more mad! Who gave these people their degrees? There are at least three Americans there, which just blows my mind, how embarrassing that some wack job from this country is at that conference.
Obviously the Holocaust is not fiction, but would the state of Israel not exist without it?
I personally believe that the creation of the Jewish state would have happened with or without the Holocaust. I think the world already knew that the Jewish people needed a state of their own because of the persecution that they faced in other countries for years.

Imus

2006-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.adl.org/media_watch/radio/20061208-Imus.htm
This is a link to a letter from the ADL to Imus, a radio host who apparently made anti-semitic remarks on the air last week. Apparently this is not Imus' first offense, if you look in the box that says "related media" there is a link to another letter written to Imus in 2004 about anti-semitic remarks he made then. If Imus seems to be a repeat offender of making anti-semitic remarks, do you think that any action should be taken? In the 2004 letter the ADL writes "We realize that your show often uses humor to debunk stereotypes by poking fun at them, and we do have a sense of humor." Do you think that if Imus had been Jewish the reaction would have been different from both the audience and the ADL? I am not sure how I feel on this because I think the tone at which Imus said what he said could really effect how it comes across. Is it okay for anyone who is not Jewish to use Jewish stereotypes as humor? I'm still not sure how I feel about it! I mean isn't it really hypocritical to tell one person not to make antisemitic remarks for humor and then allow someone else to do so because they are Jewish. Or perhaps it is okay because it is just like when someone makes fun of themselves, its an attack on something they understand or where they are coming from.

A Rabbi's opinion on the Christmas Tree

2006-12-12T00:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16158752/site/newsweek/
This is an article written by Rabbi Gellman, I think he has an interesting look at the situation. He points out that greatest threat is not that the airport displayed the tree in the first place, but that the airport would not allow the Rabbi to erect a Chanukah menorah. Gellman suggests that any group that wishes to erect a holiday object should be allowed to. I don't necessarily agree with this idea, because I am one of the people whom he talks about want no religious objects displayed in public places, especcially when the objects are paid for by government money. I just thought the article was interesting and it was kind of a follow up to my last blog.

Christmas Tree in the Airport

2006-12-11T14:43:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you heard the news story about the Christmas Tree that was taken down in the Washington Airport after a Rabbi complained, but here's the link to the story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16150563/

I always thought it was strange that the Christmas Tree was allowed to be put up in public institutions like in the state house. I know that the supreme court has ruled it a non-religious object, but that does not make sense to me. The thing is called a "Christmas Tree," it's not a holiday bush or tree, it's specific to a holiday which is specific to a religion. I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts on it were.
I just think that religion has no place in any public institutions, there's a difference between snowflakes and snowmen from Christmas wreaths and trees. It really makes me feel uncomfortable when public places decorate for what they call "the holidays," but the objects that they usually decorate with are usually pretty Christmas oriented.

Christmas

2006-12-04T16:18:00.000-05:00

I don't know about anyone else...But I cannot stand the Christmas season, which by the way seems to start earlier and earlier each year. I cannot stand how everyone wishes everybody a Merry Christmas, I just want to shout back "And Happy Chanukah and Kwanza to you!" I cannot stand Christmas music, listening to songs about Jesus or the Christmas tree does not entertain me.
When I was in High school and middle school I was in choir and every year they would make us sing a bunch of what they called "holiday songs," which most of them were about Christmas, there was even religious songs thrown in, and there would be like one Chanukah song, usually "Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle!" I never sang them, I just lipped them. First of all my HS was a little messed up to begin with, it had a gospel Choir and every year put on the Messiah musical. This by the way was at a High School that at least 10% of the school was Jewish.
I just do not think that any religious material should be sang in school to begin with, I do not care if it is "art."
And why do people always equate Chanukah with Christmas? Chanukah is not like the biggest Jewish holiday! It makes me angry!

Last names

2006-12-03T22:43:00.000-05:00

I've been watching Gentleman's Agreement several time this week because I'm viewing it for my paper. There is a character in the film that changes her last name because it was obviously Jewish and she was unable to get jobs, once she changed her last name she was able to get a job. I just don't think it's okay to change your last name because it appears to be "too Jewish," I know many people in Hollywood have done this, but I just don't think it's right, and it really bothers me. In a way it seems as if they are running away from who they really are and they feel they need to hide their heritage.

Borat...again

2006-11-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

So I saw Borat for a second time on Friday. This time I paid closer attention to detail when Borat goes to the old Jewish folk's home. Why is it that the people are portrayed as having a bunch of pictures depicting Jewish life and a bunch of Judaica items in general. Also, the old woman in the film continuously talks about how she can't let them go hungry she needs to see them eat. Is this a reference to a stereotypical Jewish grandmother always needing to feed people? I mean none of this really bothers me, I'm just curious as to whether or not I'm reading too far into the movie.

Borat

2006-11-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

So I finally saw Borat last night! It was hilarious! I could tell that I was the only Jew in the theater at the time though because there is this scene where Borat goes to this bed and breakfast, on the door is a mezzuzah, and when the man opens the door and the first thing you notice is a Kippah on his head, and I just busted out laughing! But I thought about how this related to my own paper, how Jews themselves potray Jews in films. It was clear that the couple were not observant because the kippah the man was wearing was like one of those cheap kippahs you find at synagogues and the woman did not cover her head at all. It seemed as if the only reason the man was wearing a kippah in the film was to make the point that they were Jewish, even though it was obvious from all the artwork in the film and the mezzuzahs all over the place.

My father and his Jewish Identity

2006-11-13T11:21:00.000-05:00

My father was adopted from a Jewish family. My grandparents were both ashkenazi Jews, while my father looks like a middle eastern Jew. He commonly gets stopped at the airport and asked where he is from, and he was born in NYC, not anywhere in the Middle East. But that is besides the point, the point is that he grew up going to a predominately ashkenazi synagogue with family that was ashkenazi, and all though he looked like he was definitely not ashkenazi, but I don't think that he ever felt out of place. In fact I think that he actually felt like he looked more Jewish, which was what my real point is. I never actually thought that the stereotypical Jew was one that looked like a European Jew with white skin. I think I always thought the stereotypical Jew had dark skin. But that's just me.

Ehud Barak

2006-10-30T22:03:00.000-05:00

Tonight I went and heard Ehud Barak speak at the IU Auditorium. As expected there were people at the lecture who did not agree with Barak and seemed to have an anti-Israel attitude, some of these people even got to ask questions. One man was booed because he posed a question about Israel's morals, in fact I was one of those people who booed. But what I got to thinking about later was, did I boo because people were insulting Israel, or did I boo because in some way, I felt as if he was insulting the Jewish people? I think it may be a mixture of both. Whenever attack is made on Israel, I feel that it is an attack on the Jewish people.

2006-10-28T20:24:00.000-04:00

I was reading in USA today about Borat, the movie staring Sacha Baron Cohen a British comedian, it something struck me as very interesting, they referred to Baron Cohen as "religious." I was curious as to what they meant by this, did they mean that he found himself to be deeply connected to Judaism, because it's clear that he is not an observant or orthodox person. I also found it interesting the ADL's statement on the Borat movie: "When approaching this film, one has to understand that there is absolutely no intent on the part of the filmmakers to offend, and no malevolence on the part of Sacha Baron Cohen, who is himself proudly Jewish. We hope that everyone who chooses to see the film understands Mr. Cohen's comedic technique, which is to use humor to unmask the absurd and irrational side of anti-Semitism and other phobias born of ignorance and fear."- www.Adl.org
I think this was an interesting approach that the ADL took looking at it, and I think I have to agree with the ADL, from what I have heard about the film, and from seeing Baron Cohen's work, I think his work really does show how absurd antisemitism can be.

2006-10-26T23:48:00.000-04:00

For Your Consideration is a movie coming out on November 17,2006. I saw the previews for it tonight, it's written by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, and stars the same cast from their other films, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. It's about the production of a film entitled Home for Purim, which is about a Southern Jewish family in the 1940s. The previews looked really funny! One of the producers of A Mighty Wind said in the trailer for it, "maybe you could tone the Jewishness down," which was just ridiculous considering what the movie is suppose to be about. I'm interested just to see what kind of stereotypes play out throughout the film.

2006-10-25T22:57:00.000-04:00

I really have no interest in these blog things. I do not really the whole idea of sitting down to a computer and writing on the internet my thoughts, it really bothers me. I have a hard time sitting here writing about my Jewish identity, and probably an even harder time commenting on people's blogs, especially people I do not even know. Who am I to comment on their thoughts? I do not really have anything incredibly intelligent to say, and on top of that I am not even thoughtful or creative enough to write my own blogs. But if there is one thing that I know, these blogs are not a reflection of my actual Jewish identity.

2006-10-06T15:57:00.000-04:00

Heeb magazine was really a waste of a tree. It seemed to almost make a mockery out of Jews and Judaism in general. It definitely was not a magazine that really tried to connect with the religious aspect of Jews. To me it was not a magazine that I would even consider reading unless I had to. There was nothing in the magazine that I could relate to. If I'm going to buy a Jewish magazine or newspaper, I want it to be a magazine or newspaper that I can relate to, or has articles that could help strengthen my Jewish identity or Jewish connection. With the Jewish Post and Opinion there are articles not just about Israel, but about real people trying to live Jewish lives. They also have articles that challenge people's opinions on Jewish subjects. I would like a magazine or newspaper that was more geared to how to remain a Jewish life in college and hear stories about other college students struggles.

2006-09-30T23:08:00.000-04:00

Someone posed the question this week in class as to why we identify ourselves as Jews. I myself firstly identify myself as a Jew because that's how I make decisions of my everyday life, saying that I am a Jew is saying a lot about myself. Being Jewish is not just a religion, it's a way of life, it's a culture, a history and so much more. It's something that I am always proud of and to me is more important then being an American.
Identifying other Jews is also important to me because it's a connection that I can make with people, and it's a connection unlike any other. When I find out someone is Jewish, the next thing I ask is if they went to camp or if they were in a youth group, because these Jewish organizations make the Jewish world smaller and closer for all of us. The world talks about the idea of 6 degrees of separation, but it seems like when you're a Jew, it's more like 1 degree of separation. Here at Indiana University, although it's a large campus, that Jewish connection can make the campus feel so much smaller.

2006-09-22T15:22:00.000-04:00

I myself love going to Chabad! The Chabad family, the Chincholkers, are very friendly and welcoming, and people who come to Chabad are just fabulous people. Shabbos at Chabad is just like Shabbos in Israel! I get a feel at Chabad unlike the Shabbos feeling that I get at Hillel. I think it's amazing how the Chincholkers are so welcoming to anyone, whether it be a reform Jew, convservative Jew, or a Jew who does not even really practice Judaism and just wanted to spend the holiday or Shabbos with them. I think that Chabad is such an interesting concept, in trying to get Jews to do a mitzvah in hopes that they will connect with their Jewish soul.
I do not agree though with the Rebbe being moshiach, but that does not even bother me when I go to Chabad or do anything with them. I've just had so many great experiences, and I think that my Jewish identity would be lost at IU if I did not have Chabad to go to.

2006-09-15T14:07:00.000-04:00

I was really appreciative of Rabbi Sue's talk on Recontructionist Judaism, I think I had a very misguided view of it before. I think that the movement is very similar to Reform, but possibly even better, because it challenges you to make choices about your lifestyle, and have a reason. It also challenges you to study Halacha and not just follow the law, but to really learn Halacha and really decide whether or not certain laws are for you, and if you decide it isn't, you don't simply just decide that the law isn't for you, you should justify why you think so.
But what I found most interesting this week is this idea that you can be cultural Jewish and not be a practicing Jew. Someone made a remark that she considers herself cultural Jewish and Jewish because she goes to synagogue on High Holy Days. I call people who are Jewish on High Holy Days, the "twice a year Jews." I feel that if you are going to project yourself as a Jew, you should do more then the twice a year thing, whether its that you make shabbat special in some way, or you follow certain laws, or you are active in the Jewish community. I don't believe in this idea that you can be Jewish without the religion. I believe that the culture grew from the religion, and the spirit of the culture lies within Judaism itself. If you can be cultural Jewish, yet not be religiously Jewish, then couldn't someone who was not Jewish at all, claim they are culturally Jewish, and therefore recieve membership into the Jewish community. If that were true, wouldn't we lose the connections that we have?

2006-09-04T19:46:00.000-04:00

Reform Judaism, what an uproar it can cause. I myself who grew up the Reform movement, I can appreciate what Reform Judaism has done for Judaism in general, but like I said in class today, I think that the URJ, formerly the UAHC, has been irresponsible in many places. They have failed to set any standards for the congregations that belong to the URJ. As we talked about in the class today, my mother never learned to speak Hebrew as part of her conversion process, but I spoke with a classmate who said that her mother learned to speak Hebrew as part of her conversion process. We also spoke about the differences in our congregations, her congregation has a kosher kitchen, which is good for encouraging congregates to keep kosher and also allows those congregates to eat at the synagogue and feel like they are part of the community. Also regarding conversion, the URJ was irresponsible in that they do not consider the consequences of when a woman converts according to URJ standards, those standards are not enough for her children to become citizens of Israel. Not only does this not allow the woman's children not to be able to become citizens of Israel, but some Jews will not consider her children Jewish, and her children may not be able to marry a Jew. This is a conflict for me, my mother was converted by a Reform Rabbi, granted she actually went through the mikvah ceremony, but that will not be enough for the state of Israel or for me to marry a man who is not from the Reform Movement. This causes a great dilemma for me, do I go through a conversion process, even though I was raised Jewish, and I have never been anything else, or do I reject the idea that according to Halakah I am not Jewish. I feel that I am in a sense betraying my family if I go through a conversion process, because it's like saying to them that they did not fulfill their duties as Jewish parents, and also I'm afraid they will feel as if I do not think that they are "Jewish enough."

2006-09-03T18:34:00.000-04:00

What is the group’s basis for Jewish identification? The URJ states that their “Statement of Principles,” is there to “affirm the central tenants of Judaism.” It states that those tenants are “God, Israel, and Torah.” It then goes on to describe what those three tenants really mean in the Reform movement.

What is the group’s social hierarchy? Spiritual hierarchy? Organizational hierarchy? The URJ has an institution for higher learning for those interested in become Rabbis, Cantors or Jewish educators in the Reform Jewish Movement. The institutions are called HUC-JIR, or Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, which can be located in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Jerusalem, and New York.
Synagogue leadership, such as the executive board, are on a volunteer basis, but President, all Vice-President positions, secretary and treasurer must all be elected by board members.

Who are the group’s major figures? The current President is Rabbi Eric Yoffe, the figures most associated with American Reform Judaism was Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise.

What other institutions/companies does the organization use/own? The URJ has youth programs, NFTY-The National Federation of Temple Youth, and their overnight camps which can be found all over the continent. They have Kesher which is an organization for college students. They have numerous other organizations that are for other different age groups. They also have Temple Brotherhood and Temple Sisterhoods on a local and national level.
The URJ also has publications which include the URJ Press, Transcontinental music Publications, the CCAR Press, HUC-JIR press, and the RJ magazine.

How does the organization differentiate itself from other Jewish groups? The Reform movement considers itself unique because it is open to everyone, they are willing to accept and marry couples in which one of the partners is not Jewish. They accept homosexual couples, couples of mixed races as well.

How does the group relate to the non-Jewish world? The Reform Jewish movement is dedicated to helping not only those who are Jewish but those who are not. They are commonly found to run programs that deal with non-Jews and in conjunction with non-Jewish organizations.

How does this organization group its population? The Reform Movement groups their population by age, sex, and geographic population.

What is the group’s relationship with a divine power? The Reform Movement states its beliefs in God, in the policy. They believe that God is the creator; the Jewish people are bound to God that people encounter God’s presence everyday, and that God is eternal. The reform movement believes that torah is the foundation of Jewish life.

How does this group describe Jewish history? How does it describe its own history? The Reform movement states in its policy as well that, “We are Israel, a people aspiring to holiness, singled out through our ancient covenant and our unique history among the nations to be witnesses to God's presence. We are linked by that covenant and that history to all Jews in every age and place.”

What major issues does the community talk about? The Reform Movement discusses such issues as same-sex marriage, Israel, and other hot political topics as well.

What does it take to join this group? You must join your local congregation and pay the annual dues.

What is the group’s economic structure? Its activities are funded through the synagogues that pay their dues to be affiliated with the URJ, and also they have many donors. They publish lists of donors as well as dedicate objects or places to major donors.

2006-08-28T21:33:00.000-04:00

The first day of class was very interesting, especcially when we were talking about whether or not pets are Jewish. I found it interesting that no one even mentioned that how can a pet be any religion if it is not aware or educated about the religion. I love my dog, and she's def part of the family, but I don't think Reggie knows who Gd is or what praying is or what being Jewish means, Reggis simply knows that my family is her master and she loves us and must protect us.