Is there such a thing as a Jewish American Culture?

[migee]

Originally Posted by Stranded and Lonely

A friend of mine is Jewish and she is always talking about being brought up in the Jewish Culture. Because people on this board are generally against any type of racial or religious stereotype maybe by using the word culture we can start an interesting debate. (I have lots of respect for Jewish people but am not one myself)

I asked my Jewish friend exactly what she meant by growing up in a Jewish culture, here is what she said:

Expectation of being more aggressive and assertive with others

Expectation of academic and career excellence

Stronger interest in the arts, music, cultural events than the general population

A belief that Jewish people are God's chosen race and as a result a little bit of arrogance and extreme confidence

Certain social and interpersonal behaviors that are very assertive
---------------
What do you think, is there a Jewish culture and are Jewish kids brought up with certain expectations and behaviors.

This post seems to show an aggressive side of the Jewish people. There is something missing, and I am suprised that it was not focused on to a greater extent.

And, I am sure that many that have worked for Jewish people, or have Jewish friends, will agree.

When you become part of their life - they treat you like family.

Throughout my life I've worked for some companies owned by Jewish people (mostly family owned - the larger companies run by extended families). And, if you are a concientous and honest worker - they treat you very well. They are probably one of the fairest groups of people to work for.

It is fair to say that they treat their employees like family. Not only in (employment) fairness, but also in time of need. When a crisis occurs in the life of one of their employees, they address it as if they were caring for one of their own family members.

It is the same with those that I have had as friends. When a crisis occurs - they are there, and they do something.

This has to be in the Jewish culture itself. Fairness and caring for others, no matter what their background.

I guess that a good example of this is the many Jewish names that you see on hospital special needs centers - Such as those dedicated for cancer or other diseases. Many Jewish people will leave much of their money for these centers that benefit everyone - no matter what their background.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by edsg25

What's the matter with you people: you've never heard the prayer, "Next year in Boca"

LOL!
I spent many a spring break Passover in Boca. With relatives.

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

It is extremely tough to maintain a certain culture when the 'dominant' one (WASP) accepts it---------think of dumping a glass of water into a lake, they mix immediately.

Indeed. Our former synagogue in Denver has a reach-out program for interfaith couples, but it is a tough gig.

Originally Posted by migee

This has to be in the Jewish culture itself. Fairness and caring for others, no matter what their background.

Yes.
There are different branches to the Jewish religion, and I do not consider myself well-schooled in them.
However, in my experience, it is true that many/most observant, active Reform Jews work for social justice.
Yes, their familial embrace, secular or not, can be warm.
One thing that comes to my mind is Tikkun Olam.
For some Jews, the phrase tikkun olam means that Jews are not only responsible for creating a model society among themselves but also are responsible for the welfare of the society at large.

[itshim]

Yup. Move to NY. Better yet, enroll in Brooklyn College.

[ABQConvict]

In a nutshell, I would describe Judaism as 'Tribal' which indicates that it is a cultural phenomenon with a strong but not always exclusive genetic component.

Due to various circumstances, Jews have, in different historic periods, been more or less open to conversion hence the phenotypic diversity of Jewish populations which is why there are Jews with strong central and western European characteristics, but even these populations are often identifiably genetically related to Semitic, middle-eastern peoples.

I would even go as far as to suggest that early christianity, a splinter sect of Judaism, only expanded its scope into universalism in order to gain enough followers to survive indicating that, at that time, Jews were not interested in converts. It was the conversion of gentiles (at least in large amounts) that sealed the schism between mainstream Jewish groups and the followers of Jesus.


ABQConvict