[HANASHIR:14722] Re: secular music

[Ruth Levenstein <RuthEllen...>]

 > I have to disagree with your comment about "letting the exchange become
> mired in feelings of insecurity and superiority."   I don't see that as
> an issue and am not sure what your point is.  
> Meris Ruzow


I am happy to explain.

As American Jews we can feel insecure about our Jewish practices and 
feel that whatever Israeli's do is more authentic - that one cannot be 
fully Jewish except in Israel. (a traditional position)

OR American Jews can feel superior to the majority secular population in 
Israel who don't really 'think' about their beliefs and who get their 
Judaism only because they happen to live in Israel - who don't attend 
services expect to be married, buried or barmitzvahed.  We can feel 
superior by agonizing over all the political issues in Israel such as 
'who is a Jew' 'the peace process' 'jewish religious pluralism' or 
'woman's roles and rights in Judaism.'

Likewise Israeli's often feel that Judaism in the US is an odd fake kind 
of Judaism that is not much different than Christianity.  OR that 
intermarriage, patrilineal decent, and gay and lesbian 
commitment ceremonies have distorted Judaism beyond recognition in the 
US.  (There is MUCH misinformation and half truths about these things.) 
  OR that American Jews ignore Shavuot, dietary laws, Shabbat observance 
and Israel.

OR Israeli's can be angry over 'religious coercion' in their country and 
envious of American freedoms to be married and buried where and how one 
wants - Many are very cynical about the Israeli political process that 
gives power to a small religious minority and angry that these ultra 
religious Jews are exempt from army service and that some are living off 
of state funds.

My point is that we have to accept that we are two DIFFERENT Jewish 
cultures and that both have their good points and their problems and 
that healthy exchanges go both directions.  Sure, we should learn about 
Lag B'Omer but they should learn about Hava Nashira, Debbie Friedman, 
and the renaissance in American Jewish Folk music that has been going on 
for the last ten or fifteen years.


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