American Judaism A Study in Culture and Family Strengths Dayna McKinnon FAML 160 Sister Watene 3 Dec 2011
What makes someone Jewish? Race? Religion? Culture?
What makes someone Jewish? To consider someone a Jew by race is offensive to many Jews. Race? First, This term bring images of the holocaust, where Jews were considered an inferior race worthy of extermination. Religion? Culture? Second, While many Jews share a genetic heritage, one can become a Jew by converting to the religion through a prescribed conversion process. They are accepted as Jews in full even by the most orthodox Jews. It would not be possible to become part of another race in this manner. Perhaps a better term would be a Nation. All Jews share a common history and destiny by being connected to Israel, genetically or spiritually. Judaism follows matrilineal descent, therefore, a person is a Jew if their mother is a Jew. (http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm, http://www.jewfaq.org/whoisjew.htm)
Who, or What, is Jewish? Nationality? Religion? Culture?
What makes someone Jewish? Judaism is definitely a religion. Nationality It is shared beliefs of the world and how one should live their lives. The basic shared beliefs are outlined in the 13 Principles of Faith as stated by Rambim (http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm) Religion? Culture? G-d exists G-d is one and unique G-d is incorporeal G-d is eternal Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other The words of the prophets are true Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses There will be no other Torah G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked The Messiah will come The dead will be resurrected Not all Jews are practicing Jews, though. These secular Jews do not share many or any of the Jewish beliefs, yet they are still considered Jews because of their mother s identification as Jewish and their lineage to Abraham.
Who, or What, is Jewish? Religion Culture?
Who, or What, is Jewish? Judaism has a rich culture of history, heritage, symbols and traditions. Nationality Like other cultures Jewish people share a unique sense of humor, customary foods, and a common language. Religion Culture? But the customs of the Sephardic Jews vary greatly from the Ashkenazic Jews. Ashkenazic Jews are the Easter European Jew. Their traditions include Yiddish (a language based on German and Hebrew), Latke, bagels and lox. Sephardic Jews are from the Iberian Peninsula, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Sephardic Jews have a language (Ladino) based on Spanish and Hebrew. Their traditional foods include phyllo dough pastries of spinach and cheese, peanuts, rice, and jelly donuts. (http://www.jewfaq.org/ashkseph.htm) There are other subcultures of Jews around the world, but whatever their practices, these shared commonalities make Jews feel more comfortable with each other.
Fitting in any one or all of these definitions brings an individual into the Jewish family. As a member of the family they feel one another s pains and rejoice in one another s joys. Jews become a massive extended family with all the ups and downs that go with the territory. (http://www.jewfaq.org/judaism.htm) Religion Culture
Meet The Whitneys Gillian, David, Brandi, Devon, & Joshua The Whitneys are a Jewish American Family living in the heart of Mormon Utah
Cultural Identification As our text says, cultural identity has a lot to do with what group the individual believes they are a member of (Olson, p36). Gillian is the mother of this family. She is a devout practicing Jew and feels a strong connection with Israel, the Jewish State. She is Canadian as that is the land of her birth. She is American. She put a lot of work into becoming an American Citizen and feels very strongly about her identity as an American.
Challenges Moving into a community where they were significantly in the minority had related challenges. It is hard to be in the minority and feel isolated at times. Jews are everywhere, yet they make up less than.02% of the population with only 14 million Jews world wide (2011 world population estimates 7 billion http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html). Being one of 2 or 3 families in a community limits participation in cultural activities. The Whitneys have to commit extra resources toward practicing their religion. The closest synagogue and Jewish community is 50 miles away. This requires a greater allocation of time and financial resources than when they lived within a Jewish Community. They can be hampered even more by weather planning their worship activities. They do not have access to cultural materials within their community. Religious materials must be ordered in. When David had his Bar Mitzvah the yarmulkes had to be ordered in. The order took longer than usual to be processed and only arrived the day before the event, much to Gillian s relief!
More Challenges When in the minority, community events and holidays are not scheduled in consideration of Jewish Holidays. Unlike American holidays, which are typically celebrations and recreations, Jewish holidays are Holy Days. It is difficult when school or scout events are planned on top of days where the Jewish child will be in synagogue praying and observing rituals. Many Americans are familiar with Passover and Hanukkah (Chanukkah), but these are not the most significant Jewish holidays. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), which is celebrated in September/October, and Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), which is also celebrated in September are more significant Jewish Holidays. (Jewish Calendars are based on astronomical phenomena rather than the Gregorian Calendar used by the Christian world) Concerns about inter-cultural marriages - Being an interfaith marriage (Devon, father, is not a Jew) they recognize the challenges. If one of the religions is to be practiced the primary responsibility for the religious teaching of the children will fall on one parent. You have to be committed. With 2 sons Gillian also has concern that her sons could marry outside of the religion. Jewish law would then require that the children be raised in the mother s religion, and nobody wants to see their children and grandchildren leave their faith. Does she send her children away for college so they have more opportunities to date within the faith? After all, they will marry from among those that they date. You can t always control who you fall in love with.
Family Strengths Acceptance of others Jews do not proselytize, the Rabbi will make 3 earnest attempts to dissuade a potential convert. While Jews believe they are the chosen people they do not feel they are superior to others but rather believe that because Abraham chose to covenant with God they have a higher obligation toward God. http://www.jewfaq.org/gentiles.htm Friends and Neighbors - Gillian said what makes it easier are the people around her. Neighbors noticed the mezuzah on the door post (a case attached to the door post containing scrolls with scripture passages) and recognized the family were practicing Jews. Out of respect they have promised not to proselytize the family, but the family has been welcome and accepted at neighborhood activities. Family Judaism is all about family. For the Whitneys it has been a great support to have family present at key milestones. When David had his Bar Mitzvah family flew in from all over the country to be there for the event.
More Family Strengths Rituals Practicing the rituals of the religion create stronger family unity. The Jewish Sabbath is called Shabbat. It begins at sundown with a traditional lighting of candles, a blessing, and a special family meal, it continues through sundown the following day. What is eaten for the Shabbat meal does not matter as much as more care is taken and it is enjoyed at a leisurely pace. The family spends time together. Traditional activities would include attending service, prayers, playing games (such as chess), a nap. All work is ceased and Shabbat is a holy day separate from the cares of the week. Flexibility Because many events in the community take place over Shabbat the Whitneys had to find a balance in order to participate and still keep their observances. Friday night is sacred family time. Occasionally an overnight scout event will be participated in, but for the most part all other community activities are refrained from.
A Final Word I really enjoyed learning more about my friend, her family, and her religion and culture. Learning about her helps me to appreciate her more and understand her better. I have a greater understanding of the world because of this experience. In addition I learned almost as much about myself as I did about Jews and the Whitneys. I want to express my gratitude to Gillian for being so generous in sharing herself and her family and in giving permission for me to use photos of her family.
Works Cited Olson, David H., DeFrain, Skogrand. Marriage & Families: Intimacy, Diversity, and Strengths. New York. McGraw Hill. 2008. print. Rich, Tracy. Judaism 101. October 2011. Web. 3 Dec 2011. http://www.jewfaq.org/index.htm US & World Population Clocks. US Census Bureau. June 29, 2011. web. 3 Dec 2011. http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html Whitney, Gillian. Personal Interview. 1 Dec 2011.