You said the Jewish people need self-determination, just like Native Americans, and I agree.
But since you can convert to Judaism, does that mean anyone who converts gets to have a spot in Israel? And if a Native American converts to Judaism, do they get a house in Manhattan and Israel?
I have no idea what you’re trying to get at. I am talking about the jewish as a people, not as a religion. So you don’t just ‘convert’. Jewish is an identity that goes beyond religion.
How many generations of observing Jewish religious practices does it take before one can claim that identity? Do the children of a Jewish person and a non-Jew only get to have a spare bedroom? What about someone with Jewish grandparents? Is a convert who follows religious doctrine strictly less worthy of a free house than my Jewish friend in high school who loved bacon cheeseburgers?
What I’m getting at is this sort of thing is exactly the problem: Thinking of Jewish people as “other” and “separate” is a precondition to discrimination. Acknowledging that they live everywhere and are part of the religious tapestry of a multi-ethnic nation is better and safer.
tl;dr - Adam Sandler’s Hannukah Song has a powerful antisemitic message.
Thinking of Jewish people as “other” and “separate” is a precondition to discrimination.
Jewish identity has been formed because of the discimitation and segregation they have been subjected to. Their aspirations to have their own safe environment is a reaction to that. Antisemitism predates Zionism.
So if I’m a Native American and convert to Judaism, do I get two houses? And what about hall of famer Rod Carew? (He converted.)
Also, wouldn’t it be better if people could live wherever they want and still get self-determination?
Well, obviously. And neither Europeans nor Arabs granted this to the jewish. Which made Zionism necessary.
excuse me, what are you referring to?
You said the Jewish people need self-determination, just like Native Americans, and I agree.
But since you can convert to Judaism, does that mean anyone who converts gets to have a spot in Israel? And if a Native American converts to Judaism, do they get a house in Manhattan and Israel?
I have no idea what you’re trying to get at. I am talking about the jewish as a people, not as a religion. So you don’t just ‘convert’. Jewish is an identity that goes beyond religion.
How many generations of observing Jewish religious practices does it take before one can claim that identity? Do the children of a Jewish person and a non-Jew only get to have a spare bedroom? What about someone with Jewish grandparents? Is a convert who follows religious doctrine strictly less worthy of a free house than my Jewish friend in high school who loved bacon cheeseburgers?
What I’m getting at is this sort of thing is exactly the problem: Thinking of Jewish people as “other” and “separate” is a precondition to discrimination. Acknowledging that they live everywhere and are part of the religious tapestry of a multi-ethnic nation is better and safer.
tl;dr - Adam Sandler’s Hannukah Song has a powerful antisemitic message.
Jewish identity has been formed because of the discimitation and segregation they have been subjected to. Their aspirations to have their own safe environment is a reaction to that. Antisemitism predates Zionism.
Yes, clearly, antisemitism predated Zionism. But the “othering” of Jews is a precondition for antisemitism.