Kesher Talk

Being Jewish in a Christian Society: One time, an Asian friend who was born in the U.S. recounted a story about the first time he went to Japan, his ancestral country. He said it was weird to walk around a country and feel "part of the majority" ... he was so used to living in the U.S. as a minority that it actually made him uncomfortable "blending in" with the Japanese.

Sometimes I feel the same thing would happen to me if I went to Israel ... I've never been there, so I wonder what those who have think about this sensation. I am used to the Christmas trees, friends and relatives cleaning up by working on Christmas, kosher food stores seen and thought of as "ethnic" (though this is changing with places like Trader Joes). Then there's the U.S. misconception about Jews in general -- are we what Bart Simpson confuses for the ZZ Top-looking fellas in New York or are we banking professionals plotting to take over the world? I guess bottom-line ... it would be weird to live in a place where my religion and even part of my culture is the majority.

Thoughts?

posted by Jonathan @ 1/08/2003 10:35:09 AM