American Jews and Israel

As an North American Jew I am able to understand and see the discomfort that North American Jews face in Israel. With being blamed for the decline in Judaism and not living culturally Jewish. I think that that is not fully true. Yes North American Jews are more assimilated and aren't as culturally Jewish, however North American Jews seem to me to be more religious than Israelis that aren't any type of orthodoxy. I think that I am a decently religious Reform Jew in America. I don't take part in shabbat at home but I uphold the moral and ethical values of Judaism. Judaism has and will always be a huge part of my life. Israel already thinks that I am not a respectable Jew because I am a Modern Reform Jew. Israel does try and make it a safe place for us North American Jews but also says that we Jews aren't Jews because of intermarriage, interfaith relationships, and other things that North American Jews tend to do.

'Jewish' Food in Poland

In Lviv, Ukraine, there is a Jewish themed restaurant connected to the 16th-century Golden Rose Synagogue. In this restaurant, the staff dress up as Haredim. They were the hat with fake peyot attached to it. The author, Cnaan Liphshiz, goes a long with the restaurant's racist and stereotypical actions and finds out that they aren't on purpose necessarily. Yes the owners opened a Jewish themed restaurant but is mainly for the tourists and the customers. All people have some type of stereotyping in there brain and sometimes enjoy it when its makes them laugh or enjoy what they are talking about. In the restaurant, there aren't any prices because Jews love to bargain. That is not exactly true for all Jews, however when the owner was told of this issue of racism, using this example, they said that Ukrainians too like to bargain. The Golden Rose restaurant may seem racist and rude, which to me sorta is, but is a way of providing for their families and jobs. I am not a supporter but I believe that everything is done for a reason, and this one's reason is to just make money even though it is a horrible and disgusting way to do so.

Poland Experience

During our trip to Poland, our class put a big emphasis on the resistance. During the Holocaust, the Jews would try their hardest to resist from being captured and killed by the Germans. This theme really stuck out to me not only because of the perseverance of the Jews but my personal connection. My great grandmother was an extraordinary woman. She lived in Germany with my grandfather (Papa) and his sister. My great grandma had to send away my Papa and his sister to Sweden in a Kinder Transport. My great grandmother was an important person in my life because she was such an inspiring person. She left her children for 10 years in order to keep her children and herself safe and free from the Nazi's.

My great grandmother went to China, England, and other places to keep the resisting against the Germans. My great grandmothers wasn't the only person who did this, many other families were separated to keep themselves safe, and especially the children. Her, and like many others, are such an inspiration to me and other Jews. Those who were able to not have Hitler and the Nazi's win, are the definition of resistance. They were able to still be Jewish and still be alive, and to me that is a blessing to know. To be able to live on and become a loving and inclusive community. In one of Martin Niemoller's famous quotes, "First they came for the Socialists..." we are able to see that if we don't stand up for those who are different, then who will be there for us. I believe that through the resistance and the progression of Judaism, the culture has put more of a emphasis on community because if there is no one left who will be there to help you out.