David Sasha wrote an article about the 92nd Street Y catalogue for 2008-2009. The catalogue outlined the various conference groups to be held in New York with the focus on universal issues, such as beliefs and culture, that were of concern to all Jews. However, the focus was not universal. Rather, it slanted toward the Ashkenazi point of view. Sasha explained that one of the Ashkenazi's beliefs is that a "real" Jew should speak Yiddish. Also every "true" Jew must conduct their customs and rituals from the Ashkenazi view. They leave no room for Jews who perform their own rituals and customs which could be different from the Ashkenazis. Sasha went on to tell us that the conference chose themes and speakers who held the same pro-Israel or Zionist beliefs as they did, and that the Sephardim and Arab Jews and non-Jews who did not espouse the same beliefs of the Ashkenazim were not invited or were simply excluded from those who were chosen to speak at the conference and its focus groups. Thus, many important voices among the Jews and non-Jewish populations were not being heard. The conference focus was not on about the ever-changing diversity of American and world Jewry.
Many of us who converted to Judaism, or were born as Jews come from different ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds. Thus, we do not know how to speak Yiddish or Hebrew. Yet, Ashkenazi Jews expect everyone to speak Yiddish and Hebrew fluently. We are also expected to conduct our customs and rituals according to the Ashkenazi view, such as eating brisket and/or latkes on holidays, singing songs that reinforce the Yiddish culture and expecting all Jews to be Orthodox Jews. As a result, non-Ashkenazi Jews are made to feel isolated and unwelcome in Ashkenazi communities.
Another area of contention between Ashkenazi Jews and non-Ashkenazis is in the area of politics. Ashkenazi Jews expect all Jews to be pro-Zionist, which means that Jews support and defend the State of Israel no matter the situation. Non-Ashkenazi Jews, on the other hand, do not feel that Jews should support and defend the State of Israel blindly. While we believe that the nation of Israel should be supported by Jews, we stop at the belief that Jews should support all the actions of the State, regardless of the moral and social implications of those actions. For example, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel should have the right to exist and expect that her sovereignty be respected by the Palestinians. She should be able to live side by side with the Palestinians without fear of attacks, harassment or attempts to destroy. This does not mean that the State of Israel has the right to punish all Palestinians because of what right-winged Palestinian militant groups do in their name. Israel should also not mistreat Israeli Arabs simply because they are Arabs. If they live within the borders of Israel, then they should enjoy the same and equal rights as any other Israeli citizen does.
It saddens us to know that there are Ashkenazis who are totally blinded by their beliefs and prejudices. This prejudice causes them to be looked down upon by other non-Ashkenazi Jews. Ashkenazi Jews are living in a vacuum of their own creation, and this vacuum does not allow for a complete and open discussion of issues, customs and beliefs among their population. As a result, many non-Ashkenazi Jews are made to feel unwelcome, and their opinions are often not heard by Ashkenazi. Some non-Ashkenazi Jews become disillusioned with Judaism because of their encounters with rigid standards imposed on them by Ashkenazi culture and communities. Ashkenazis should open the doors of their communities to complete and open discussion about their rigid requirements regarding culture, customs, and religious practices. They should also allow for open discussion and debate of their political ideas. There are many views to an issue or idea.
Makedah bat Leah & Micaiah ben Malachi
No comments:
Post a Comment