In Conclusion

Overall, I thought that this course was very interesting. I liked how we examined the different movements within Judaism and looked at history while focusing also on the contemporary and cultural aspects of Judaism and Israel. I found that this class was very appropriate for me and where I am in my life and how I am still figuring out what identity really means. What I took the most away from this course is that it really just isn't that simple. There are ways to argue for or against a side at almost any given side and over the course I think we pushed the boundaries to find deeper meaning for identity. I also learned a lot about Judaism that I did not know, and this class opened my eyes to a lot of things that happen amongst Jewish communities here, and in Israel. I also learned a lot about critically reading a website and what that can say about an organization.
The class did a very good job at looking at Judaism unbiasedly so that we could come out with valuable points that pertained to identity. It also made me want to investigate my Jewish identity further on my own and get more involved with Judaism around campus. Now I feel like I have the tools to find things that interest me and can relate too. This was also my first time writing on a blog which I enjoyed and would consider doing again even for a different subject! It is a good way just to express yourself and look at things that you want too, not because someone is forcing you too but because you can genuinely interact with it and take out whatever hits home the most for you! Thats why the topics that were more modern and exciting like music and theater and other ones about young Jewish adults like Birthright and Zionism were my favorite course topics.
Thanks for a wonderful semester, have a great summer!

Jewish Identity strengthened on Birthright

I recently came across an article on http://njjewishnews.com that was about Jewish identity in relation to Birthright. Although the actual article is from February of this year, I recently took a trip to Israel and just wrote my final paper about Zionism. Naturally, I was intrigued to read about the experience with Birthright and the way it affected another young Jewish adult. The author, Jill Garbi retells the story of Austin Dam, 22 who went on Taglit-Birhtiright through the Monmouth County regional trip with 40 other people. He came up with the idea for everyone on the trip to climb Masada one morning before sunrise. They ended up doing this, and all shouted "Ani chai" or "I'm Alive" from the top. She recounts his experience of hearing the words travel through the enormous valley. For him, he describes this as a profound experience saying, "I’ve never felt so connected and so in-the-moment like I did in Israel. I’ve never been in a place where there was that much history that had to do with me and my people."
This connection is exactly what the founders of Birthright were hoping for when investing thousands of dollars into the organization. Helping Israel and physically being there is eye opening for Jews as they understand the history and hardships that their ancestors have experienced.
The article finishes talking more specifically about the actual Monmouth County region and what makes it stand out over other communities that where young Jewish adults are prevalent. Monmouth County applicants were previously waitlisted on other regions' trips until now. The Jewish Federation of Monmouth County funded the regions first trip and those funds were matched by a Taglit-Birthright grant, allowing 20 young adults from Monmouth County to participate in the free trip.
Just last month, Taglit-Birthright received some good news. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel approved $100 million in funding for Taglit-Birthright Israel for the next three years. In doing this, they have expressed the goal of bringing 51,000 young Jewish adults on the 10 day free educational trip by 2013.
Going on Birthright makes young adults realize that Judaism isn't just religion but also a special culture that we need to make last. Registration for this upcoming summer was open again to 20 participants from Monmouth so more and more people are able to share this once in a lifetime experience with Israel and other young Jewish adults.

Breaking News: bin Laden found dead

On jpost.com there is an article in response to the big news released last night that Osama bin Laden has been found dead. Now, Israel Right fears that they might have to pay the price. According to this article, the state has already been warned that they could be a target for Islamic fundamentalist groups who are seeking revenge after his death. They are suggesting, that the US president Barack Obama fake an assassination as an excuse to pressure Israel. The National Union MK Aryeh Eldad is concerned that Obama is going to try and satisfy the Muslims at Israels expense. Because of this, people are claiming that Obama is a bigger threat to Israel then Osama was since Osama bin Laden was never a direct threat or an inspiration for their other enemies. Elad believes that if Obama staged an assassination, his political support and popularity would increase temporarily. People that are on the Israeli Right who do not usually support Obama are praising him with the high hopes that he will help them in the anticipated event of attack. Although not all of Israel is pro-Obama or anti-Obama, there seems to be the common agreement that Obama can be tolerated by even his hardest critics if he is pro active and targets people like bin Laden. Lastly, the article covers things that are happening in the US that could effect Israel. Israel has learned that fighting terror is something that is a daily struggle, not one bad day of war. Israel is suggesting that the president look more at the terrorists who are threats to both the US and Israel. Instead, in their opinion he is trying to implement a plan of peace with the Middle East which is unrealistic and a waste of useful time.

Palestinian Passports, a way to promote peace?

In a recent article, there was a quotation from, Ofer Bronchtein an Israeli peace activist saying,
 “I am proud to announce you that I got yesterday from Abu Mazen a Palestinian passport. I’ll be happy to see it published in Israel. Please help me on it… Shabat Shalom.”
 
http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/Article.aspx?id=218838
 
Bronchtein who is living in Paris received a passport from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris. Ironically enough, he gave off the impression that he was proud of become a Palestinian though some would argue that this is him going to an extreme extent to prostrate himself over the Palestinians.
 
Upon this happening,  the “Proclamation of Independence" was read outside of Tel Aviv's independence hall. The existing Declaration when Ben Gurion made the State of Israel in 1948 was altered to suit the Palestinian cause so they would have their own founding state based on the pre six day war lines. Although the public in general did not condone what was going on, Israelis from the extreme Right party. They were cursing and causing upheavel against the "peaceniks" but the Left and Center Israelis should have been there as the anti-protesters, displaying disgust by this activists latest "gimmick."
In addition, Mordechai Vanunu who leaked Israel's nuclear secrets in the 80s and converted to Christianity watched the declaration get signed from afar.
Israel is concerned with peace and this process is not one that will effect the relationship Israel has with Palestine, but it might damage it.

Many Israeli "celebrities" took part in planning this ceremony. For example, actress Hannah Maron read the declaration,  author Amos Oz and Professors Ze’ev Sternhell and Yehuda Bauer organized the event. The article took an interesting turn, criticizing the people that were involved with this type of political event. Although they are famous and talented in their own field, their political view is just as valid as anyone else.
 
The hopefully activists that hope to resolve the problems between the two nations are causing quite the scene. A large issue the people of Israel are having with this is the disrespect of Independence Hall. a symbol that is sacred to Zionism and to Israel as a free nation.

Palestinians are refusing to negotiating because they won’t give up the right of return or recognize Israel as a Jewish State. It is for this reason, that Jews have to resort to independence ceremonies in an open society like Tel Aviv. This way, people will see what is going on and it will be publicized; taking a small step closer to the peace that these Israeli activists wish to achieve. Otherwise, they would get no where and Palestine would shut down the idea completely.

Eating disorders and Orthodox Jews

After hearing about this article and talking about genetics and how it relates to being Jewish, I wanted to read what it was all about. Some people believe that anorexia or bulimia is something genetic that is passed down from parent to child. Seeing a rise of eating disorders amongst Jews makes me wonder why people don't see this and think of it as a "Jewish" mental illness like the view other diseases like Tay Sachs disease.
I found the New York Times article to be very interesting. Confronting mental illness is hard enough in our liberal society as a whole, I can not imagine how frightening it must be for Orthodox women to admit they have a problem. This fear of voicing your problems is heightened for Orthodox women because it can negatively impact things that are important to them and their families. For example, the article talks about matchmaking and how having a mental illness can stand in the way of finding a perfect match. In order to avoid this, they keep it to themselves and stay away from treatment. It is sad that there has to be an element of fear and shame surrounding mental illness, because it causes people to hide it and allows it to grow and get worse.
I also thought it was fascinating to read about the Rabbis reaction with Naomi Feigenbaum. He made exceptions to religious rules and tradition in order to get her help, like driving in the car on Saturday or eating non Kosher food. I was a little surprised to see that her own health was placed before Orthodox Judaism by a very religious Rabbi. However, that just goes to show how extreme these situations can become. She discusses this later in the article quoting the Rabbi saying, "The Jewish laws are things God wanted us to live by, not die by, and that saving a life takes precedence over all of them." I found this to be an important quotation in the article and it was informative to see the standpoint of an Orthodox Rabbi on an issue such as this.
The article continues to talk about the reasons explaining this kind of phenomenon. The pressure to do things like marry early, start families and be a homemaker who prepares huge Friday night meals, is difficult to manage with other things we participate in that are demanding like a professional career. They also talk about the eating disorder emerging during a time when young women are supposed to be caring for siblings and have less time to take care of their own health. 
Lastly, it finishes talking about issues with days Orthodox Jews are supposed to fast. These days can be detrimental to someone with an eating disorder, and regardless of doctors orders, many women will still try and withstand from food or water for 24 hours. The Rabbis response to this was that in cases like this,  the woman must eat, not that she can eat but she must. This again goes back to the quote from above and gives a rational reason to breaking Jewish tradition.

IFCJ

I think that the topic of Jews in the Christian imagination is very interesting, although I wonder if it is naive to think that the tension between countries and people that have been happening for years can just disappear. Personally, I think the idea is great and I agree that religions, or established groups in general can work together and form friendships when they recognize the common concerns they share.


My mother is Christian and my father is Jewish, but that has never influenced what people I interact with. They never pressured me either way or discouraged me to learn about other cultures and religions. However, most of my friends and the families that lived in my neighborhood because being Jewish, was an important factor for people when choosing to live in Scarsdale, NY. There were non-Jews who lived and went to my high school also that were welcomed into the community, but the bond between the synagogues in our small town made it easy for Jews to associate more with Jews. Growing up in a neighborhood with people that were not all Jewish proved to me on a first hand level, that regardless of the identity that religion places on us, we can all live harmoniously if we look for our similarities,  not focus on our differences. 
I also enjoyed looking at the website. They made their mission very clear under "About IFCJ" and it did not seem to be biased towards one religion or another, but truly just an organization trying to promote peace. I also thought that it was interesting that they were based in Chicago, but also in Jerusalem because that shows how important Israel is to multiple people, religions and cultures. I also liked the trips they offer and would consider looking further into participating in one. However, this is the first time I have ever hear of a movement like this, and I think it would be beneficial to move it along if they advertised and promoted it more. They are involved with the popular social networks to try and spread the word, but I think if they could team up with another well known organization they would be able to reach out to more people. 


I could see where Jews would be turned off by something like this because of the past and I don't know how close two religions can really become. I do think that if they continue to try and do this and they focus on the more general idea of all people living with respect and cooperation more people would be able to understand the concept. 

Race, Religion or both?

Today in class we discussed what race is and what Judaism as a whole is considered by our society. We specifically looked at African American Judaism and looked more closely at Beth Shalom B'Nai Zaken: Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation. First off, I found it to be interesting that their website says an Ethiopian hebrew congregation. While I was in Israel, I worked on a community service project at an Ethiopian absorption center,  so this is a targeted group of people Israel hopes to connect with all over the world. We watched a video about this group of people an a few things that people said stood out to me. One woman tried to explain the differences between this congregation and others. She used the word "Amen" as an example to say that the other African Americans understand what she means when she says, Amen! It is more explosive and they connect on a closer level. They also believe that the Ethiopians are the "true" Jews, and they do not say they are Jewish or call their religion Judaism. They call themselves Hebrew Israelites and consider that they are African American descents from Egypt.

Beth Shalom tries very hard to connect with other Jews of color. They think there needs to be more room for all these ethnic people who have found their way back to Judaism. The support Israel just as much as countries like Nigeria and South Africa and consider it to be just like home. The video that we saw made it seem like the congregation incorporates cultural things like song and dance associated with African Americans with Jewish traditions to revert to Judaism. Things like this and even food doesn’t belong to one “identity” ex: soul food can be  black and Jewish. Many African Americans are unsure where and how to practice Judaism so Funnye's goal is to encourage reverting back to Judaism.

As we discussed further the history of African American Jews, I thought it was interesting that it originated during the Civil Rights Movement. Both minorities came into alliance because they were being oppressed and this this created an entire generation of black jews. In general, they tell the story about the jewish people being very inclusive and inviting to these new Jews so a community arouse. I also find it compelling to see how minorities can come together or compete. One of the representatives from the African American Jewish congregation perceived their identity as being the "true" Jews. This creates a hierarchy and creates more division amongst the Jews.

Overall identity, race and ethnicity are very problematic topics. Who we are is not comprised of one identity. We aren't just Jewish or just Asian, it is much more complicated. To see the assimilation of identities like in the congregation Beth Shalom is both inspiring and a positive shift for Judaism as a whole.