Jewish Music

For the purposes of this assignment, I looked at the compilation album, Bojac, The Best of Jewish A Cappella.

The first thing I notice about the CD is the album cover which has uses a Hebrew-like typography for the phrase "Bojac" and microphones that make up a star of David. You don't even have to listen to the CD and you are already faced with Jewish imagery. I'd like to quote the CD's booklet, if I may.

"Historically, a cappelle means 'in the style of the chapel.' How appropriate, since the roots of Jewish vocal music might be traced from our tradition of singing informally in the synagogue and around the Shabbat table, all the way back to the first gig on record, Miriam's Red Sea Crossing celebration (a.k.a. the original 'Matzoh Ball)"

This quote is very interesting because of its explanation as to why a cappella can be considered "Jewish", at least for the purposes of this album. The pamphlet goes on to describe Jewish a cappella as its own culture.

The songs in the CD range from English, Hebrew to Yiddish; so we have Jewish identity wrapped around the languages Hebrew and Yiddish. Next, some songs are religious prayers so we come to the notion that Jewish identity is about one's religion. Naturally, as one would expect, we have songs about Israel. Do I even need to explain this one?

Additionally, the CD takes a moment to thank its sponsers, all of which are Jewish organizations ranging from Hillel Foundation, the Sameach Music Staff (Company specializing in Jewish music), independant Jewish bookstores.

Chabad

Ugh, I'm sorry. I'm having a hell of a month. I promise to get back on keeping up with these blog entries from now on.

Anyway, Chabad. I researched www.chabad.org, to find that there is a huge emphasis which describes society and living, as described by the chabad tradition. Under the society and living link, the website describes intimacy. I'd like the quote the website if I may, "To be intimate means to go into a place that is private, that is sacred, that is set aside".

The thing that confuses me about the website is that the section on the Rebbe is actually further down the website. You'd assume a movement where its leader still plays a HUGE role despite being dead would be on the top of their list of things to showcase on their website. It seems the movement wants their website to function as a social connection towards its members, focusing on living a jewish life before they start going into the religion. From the website, we arrive at well laid out explanation on the rebbe, including his insights, teachings and a biography.

From the insights link, we come to a very lengthy list of separate topics which the Rebbe discussed. These range from death, Holocaust, Israel, charity, etc. This website provides an excellent resource for anyone curious on the movement.

Cultural Judaism

Apologizes for the late entry again, I was busy with several projects for different classes. Today we have cultural judaism on the menu like reconstructionist jews who base their identity on being a jew without letting religion step in the way. For them, being jewish means to embrace the social and cultural part of judaism. To understand more about what Jewish Reconstructionism is, I explored www.jrf.org. here, I found the Kaplan Blog, including the writings from their religious leader, Aryeh Kaplan which shows their devotion to the man despite his death over 20 years ago.

Meanwhile, at the website www.culturaljudaism.org, which includes the large grant (i.e. bribary) to encourage students to study cultural Judaism which raises the question of how they define "cultural" Judaism. Does it include art, music, history or folklore but do they simply ignore religious studies or philosophy?

I understand why they choose to exclude religious rites because of the trend in non practicing Jews while some Jews don't believe in God that these movements could proivde an identity to Jews who feel disconnected from their religious because of their personal disbelief in religion.

Orthodox Judaism, TRADITION!!

Sorry, I couldn't hold that in anymore. My apologizes for writing this blog entry a little late but I found myself buried in work which included two tests, a paper and an art project that I simply forgot to write on here. Again, my apologizes.

Which leads me gracefully into my next topic, Orthodox Judaism. Now, admittingly, when I think of Orthodox Judaism I picture a bunch of snobby white men with beards and top hats who refuse to socialize with girls. Thankfully my perspective has changed and I find myself compelled by this movement. They have continued their way of thinking for years while adding bits on the side. Women can be educated and can study Judaism but with the comfort of other women (though we can't be rabbis).

I find it interesting that Orthodox Judaism, rather than crumbling under outside culture, they simply incorporate their own culture into wider society. Now, we have Jewish bakeries, Jewish music stores, Jewish book stores... all from the east coast I noticed. This movement, while keeping its own traditions in check is still able to coexist with the main culture around them whereas Reform and Conservative are determined to open its door to the rest of society.

Orthodox Judaism, while their right beliefs may annoy me, I do have to admire their devotion to their religion.

Conservative Judaism, The Shy Middle Child of Judaism

Ah, conservative Judaism. Now this is a movement I'm very familiar with. As I mentioned in my blog entry, "Reform Judaism or Jewish-Lite?", I was raised in a conservative synagogue. Conservative Judaism, as far as I can tell from past experiences, is the shy, awkward middle child of the three main movements (or the three most people are familiar with). We have Orthodox Judaism, the oldest of the three brothers. He is an honors student, a star athlete and very popular at school though a little frightened of girls. The boy is a little too by the book for some but otherwise a good guy to know. Then, we have Reform Judaism, the youngest brother. He is in elementary school wanting to imitate his mature big brother Orthodox Judaism but wants to define himself. Some say he is a little immature at times, but still a generally a likable little boy. Finally, we have Conservative Judaism. The middle child that is currently enrolled in middle school and is having a hard time figuring out who he is. On one hand, he wants to be more liberal like his little brother Reform but traditional like his big brother Orthodox. This creates the awkward situation of dizzily stumbling between the two movements, leaving Conservative Judaism destined to fade away. I really don't think the movement has much hope for survival. I mean, they can't decide what to do with themselves. They don't like to make a clear decision about anything. They have yet to really establish their opinion on homosexuals in the jewish community and the jury is still out on intermarriage. It's because of this indecisive nature that I feel Conservative Judaism is destined to collapse in on itself. Wow, I sound like such a pessimist, don't I?

-Rachel Wyman

Reform Judaism or Jewish-Lite?

Upon studying the Reform Judaism websites and reading the article, "What Does Reform Judaism Stand For?", I find myself torn between two theories on the movement. (I would like to point out that I was raised in a conservative synagogue, the sect which can't seem to decide what to do with itself but I'll address this in my next post on conservative judaism). On one hand, I really like the platforms reform judaism takes. As a bleeding heart liberal, custom to bitching about republicans while sporting anti-bush bumper stickers with a starbucks latte in hand (hell of a run-on sentence but who cares) I can safely enjoy its political agenda. Gender equality? Awesome! Homosexual rights? Hell yes! Intermarriage, fair enough. No one can complain about these (unless you're a republican who can't function without fox news telling you what to do).

However, I feel that with these all of these liberties we may be losing our Jewish hertiage. I mean, once you accept serving roast beef, crab, ice cream and shrimp at your synagogue for your youth organization, where does it end? Granted, my family doesn't keep kosher but we expect that a synagogue, a symbol of our jewish faith should. It's like they're trying to please a wide audience rather than focusing on a single demographic.

Perhaps I'm just talking out of my ass but I feel that some people are abusing "choice through knowledge" to the point when there isno significant difference between these jews and gentiles. Now, don't take my cynical rant as hate speech, I'm perfectly fine with the platform of reform judaism, I just think we should place more of an emphasis on the "judaism" rather than the "reform".

-Rachel Wyman

PS: I found it interesting that we have fewer men are becoming involved in the reform jewish community. Does that mean we are starting to lose the gender equality platform of the movement?

Am I Really Jewish?

Am I really Jewish? I remember spending every Chanukah lighting candles with my family and unwrapping my presents. Meanwhile, I had a secret desire to be able to celebrate Christmas. I never got to sit on a strange man's lap at the mall, with the cries and screams of children deafening my ears. I never got to watch my father curse violently as he tried to place the Christmas lights around my house while my mother kept warning him to be careful. I never got to set up a lovely Christmas tree in our living room while yelling at our pets to stop messing with the bottom bristles. Christmas was always a hard time of year for a Jewish child (I believe other Jews will agree with me) because it reminded us that we were different and as we all know, the last thing a child wants to be is different. Every year, I asked my mother why we celebrated Chanukah instead of Christmas and she always said the same thing. "We are Jewish, Rachel. We don't celebrate Christmas. You may not understand now but one day, you'll understand."

At 13, I had my Bat Mitzvah. I was glad to be rid of the tedious studying, having to mesmorize every verse of every song. I remember hating to go to temple every few days to study but once again, my parents sat with me and told me that it was my right as a young Jew and that one day I would understand the importance of my hertiage.

Now, at 20, almost 21 (hooray!) I thought I had a good idea of what it meant for me to be Jewish. It meant I was part of a certain religion with a rich cultural hertiage and a love for Mel Brooks films. Then, after reading Cheng's article, The Inauthentic Jew, I find myself questioning my own Jewish identity. Am I really Jewish? Am I Jewish because I view Judaism as my own religious belief or is it just because my mother is Jewish and thus I am. Is it that simple? Am I Jewish because I feel a connection with Israel or is this connection with Israel an illusion? Am I Jewish because of my ethnicity? Do I even look Jewish? What makes me Jewish?

Now, in a religious context, I am not Jewish. Yes, it is the religion I was brought up in but I don't view myself as a religious person. I certainly see how religion is important for any society but I just don't participate in a temple very often (something I'm hoping to change). So am I still Jewish despite my indifference to religion? What makes me Jewish? Is it my hertiage?

My Jewish ancestry can be traced to early 1900 in Russia. My family was forced out of Russia (because every country has to. it's kind of like a big sale, all jews must go!) and they landed in America then eventually to Miami, Florida to elect President Bush (ugh). Just kidding. Meanwhile, most of my family went to Ohio because Ohio just screams Jew, doesn't it? Here my family dwelled for years (and still remain for a few members of the family.) Am I Jewish because of this ancestry? My family embraces its Jewish hertiage but ignores the Russian hertiage. Why not claim to everyone that I am Russian? Why is it the first thing I say is Jewish?

I look forward to discovering whether I really am a Jew or not in this class. If I really am not a Jew, I'm going to have to come up with a good excuse for my love of bagels. Hooray for ending a serious note with a stereotype. Goodnight

-Rachel Wyman