Note: Sorry for the long break in posting. I THOUGHT I’d published the last post on May 31, but it turns out I hadn’t. So I published it today. Sorry about that! Anyway, make sure you read that one and this one too! Also, I’ve created a new picture album to the right titled, “Israel: Snapshots in Time (Week 2 & 3).” Take a look!
Day-by-Day Link: 1-9 June 2011
Obama and Netanyahu have made speeches in the last few weeks regarding Israel and peace in the Middle East. In trying to make sense of the things they said, or were trying to say, or didn’t say, I’ve chatted with some Israelis about things. And for me, a fundamental concept I’ve got to understand before attempting to even formulate my own thoughts and position on any issues regarding Israel is this: What is a Jew?
It’s not a new question for me. Heck, it’s not a new question for Jews! Most of the Israelis I’ve met define themselves as secular or non-religious or even as disliking religion completely. And I know that when people ask me what religion I am, I reply that I’m Jewish, albeit not a terribly religious Jew.
But religion is only one definition of “Jew.” Because even atheist Jews still consider themselves Jews, which always confused me a bit. I’m beginning to understand, though: aside from religion, being a Jew is something akin to a nationality/ethnicity/race, although it’s also none of these things specifically. Of course there is lineage to consider, but in my opinion most people can’t trace their lineage back so far as the original tribes. Religiously, if your mother is Jewish, then you’re Jewish. Still, though, religion isn’t at the crux of being a Jew. I don’t think, anyway. It’s completely confusing, because of course you can change your nationality and you can change your religion. But you can’t change your race or ethnicity: you are what you are. So what is being a Jew if you subtract religion?
The problem is that religion is inherently part of it, even if it’s not the definition of being a Jew. Anyway, this is a concept I’m struggling to come to a conclusion about, because I feel like if I can, then I’ll be able to tackle the current political/ideological problems of Israel with more understanding.
Meanwhile, I’m meeting lots of different people and seeing more and more of Israel. While in Nahariya I made several day trips on my own to Rosh Hanikra (north-western point of Israel with awesome ocean/rock grottos), Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee. I also attended a couchsurfing get-together, a beach bonfire & campout, which got me face-to-face with several Israeli’s who I’ve since met a few times, either randomly or at other get-togethers. In a small world, Israel is a small country: two Couchsurfers that I met on different occasions turned out to be connected in some way to the folks I am staying with in Nahariya.
In Jerusalem, I’ve been exploring with Jutta, a Finnish doctor volunteering at a hospital in Tel Aviv for a month. We roamed the Mount of Olives and its churches and cemeteries; explored the Dome on the Rock with it’s beautiful mosaic work and ancient crusader arches; and walked around the city proper to attend a couchsurfing picnic for Shavuot.
I’ve also finally done something a bit Jewish, in the religious sense of the word: I attended a Shavuot dinner and afterwards went to a discussion group on a part of the Torah. It’s become a tradition to stay awake all night reading and studying Torah. Well, I only stayed up until 1am, but it was an interesting lecture and discussion on the ten commandments.
This weekend I’m headed to Tel Aviv in order to explore that area: beaches, pride parade, couchsurfers and friends of couchsurfers. It should be a great time!
And meanwhile, I’ll quiz everyone I meet and continue to wrestle with a core part of my identity. Like most things, it’ll probably take a long time and never quite be answerd, but I really hope to delve further into the odd question: what is a Jew?!
--Z
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