These readings have also made me think more about something that has been on my mind for quite some time. As a child I thought that all Jews were more or less the same as I was, had the same values, liked the same movies, hated marzipan (just kidding, but marzipan is still super gross), etc. This might sound silly and naive, but it was only about 6 years ago that I realized that this was not at all the case. When I was in Israel to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah, I was walking around a religious area of Jerusalem and got harshly scolded for the shorts that I was wearing (it was 99 degrees out, *give me a break*). This was the first time, followed by instances of sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia that I witnessed coming from Ultra-Ultra-Orthodox people that I would have at one point considered members of my own extended family--the family of the Jewish people. Realizing this separation in values allowed me to think more critically about the fundamentalism that is present in all religions, including my own, and to say with truth and conviction that it's wrong and stupid (this is my very-very-proper and professional opinion).
I have to think, now, about how I will include anti-fundamentalist information in my curriculum. It's hard to change mindsets, but how else will peace be achieved if we don't try?
In talking about it in class and reading your response, I thank you for sharing how you have come to see the separation between your beliefs and those who really only nominally share your religion. I have always found fundamentalism in any religious group to be unsettling and somewhat ignorant of modernization. It's as if they're stuck in time and have no desire to progress and move forward, which is just sad to me more than anything, especially since those raised in that mindset are stuck in it, at least until they are old enough to physically move away from it.
ReplyDeleteI did a little internal chuckle when I read the title of this post. Thanks for that--it was sorely needed as I try to do work in the wee hours of the morning (ok, it's not THAT late). Anyway, thank youuuu for calling my attention to the feminization of places/citiies/spaces. As I mentioned to you I had read and seen that kind of language before but never consciously registered the fact that it represented a very male-centric discourse. Anyway, I loved that piece by Dr. Hasan-Rokem, and yes, it was a mini lovefest over the articles.
ReplyDeleteI only started studying more intently about Israel and Israeli culture, so I would say I had a similar revelation to you, although obviously I'm coming from a different place. I think before learning more about Israel and Judaism, I had always thought of Jews as one single, monolithic, homogeneous group. But like you, I soon discovered that there is a broad spectrum of Jewish identities: from secular to traditional to national religious to ultra-Orthodox, and everything in between. I've been pleasantly surprised to get to know Jews like you who have challenged my preconceived notions of the Jewish people, which I am all about. I really want to get to know more Jews and Israelis, and hopefully I'll be able to go to Israel in the near future.
And I agree with Rachel--fundamentalism is a bit unsettling/frightening, and I do tend to associate people who hold fundamentalist beliefs to be more resistant to change and modernization.
Brian: *studying in solidarity with you during this crazy end-of-year time*
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we all share similar views of fundamentalism. Gross. I'm going to Israel this summer--COME WITH ME IT WILL BE A BLAST.
Rachel: Exactly. Fundamentalism really sucks. I appreciate all of the conversations that we've had over the past few weeks about, in particular, your experience with that from where you grew up.
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