• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What is it with Jews?

As a New Yorker I've been surrounded by Jews all of my life. I have to say that I've never seen a group of people who consistently fight for the rights of others (the civil rights movement), keep their cultural values in tact while actively trying to include other races and fringe groups into theirs. I hate stereotypes, one way or the other, but growing up in a rough working class neighborhood I've seen the best and worst of many ethnic groups, and always felt othered growing up, until I went to a High School with a strong jewish population - they embraced me regardless of my browness... My first girlfriend was a jewish girl who was strong, brilliant, and mature enough to look past my fat ass and took the time to look within... Unlike my protestant upbringing, the rabbis I've met all encouraged questions and doubt - they all were also scholars who appreciated my curiosity, unlike some religious people locked in dogma.

I don't mean to other at all - I know none of this enlightened outlook is due to race, but a culture I respect so very much.

I have no idea what the point of this is - HAPPY PASS OVER!
 
Last edited:
Glad to hear it.

Its always good to find out a little more about another race/religion. I've found Muslims to generally be pretty decent people, I'm sure that deep down, most cultures are that way.
 
As a New Yorker I've been surrounded by Jews all of my life. I have to say that I've never seen a group of people who consistently fight for the rights of others (the civil rights movement), keep their cultural values in tact while actively trying to include other races and fringe groups into theirs. I hate stereotypes, one way or the other, but growing up in a rough working class neighborhood I've seen the best and worst of many ethnic groups, and always felt othered growing up, until I went to a High School with a strong jewish population - they embraced me regardless of my browness... My first girlfriend was a jewish girl who was strong, brilliant, and mature enough to look past my fat ass and took the time to look within... Unlike my protestant upbringing, the rabbis I've met all encouraged questions and doubt - they all were also scholars who appreciated my curiosity, unlike some religious people locked in dogma.

I don't mean to other at all - I know none of this enlightened outlook is due to race, but a culture I respect so very much.

I have no idea what the point of this is - HAPPY PASS OVER!

cool story, it's interesting that they encourage critical thinking -- even of their own religion. do you think that's pretty normal across the jewish population? or just something that's unique to you? others chime in?
 
Glad to hear it.

Its always good to find out a little more about another race/religion. I've found Muslims to generally be pretty decent people, I'm sure that deep down, most cultures are that way.

I completely agree and did not to mean to tag any ideals of superiority to my post- peace loving people of the world deserve props, regardless.. Guess I'm thinking of jews today because of Pass Over.. Being indian I've known (through my parents) quite a few muslim people and, of course, none of them built bombs in their basement or hated America... I'm completely blessed to live in this melting pot, though my posts here show I still have a lot to learn about race/culture/ethnic values.
 
cool story, it's interesting that they encourage critical thinking -- even of their own religion. do you think that's pretty normal across the jewish population? or just something that's unique to you? others chime in?

Yes, they encourage critical thinking for both personal growth and spiritual enlightenment - the rabbis I've encountered (not hundreds, mind you, but six or 7 ranging from Hasidic to hippy liberal) all encourage free thought- they're dogma is "the questions are important, and the journey for answers more valuable than simple answers." I was scared away from religion because I was a curious kid who's religious questions were either shot down with "you must have blind faith" or canned answers by Christian clergy. Jewish leaders tend to prefer that you do your own homework, though they're happy to guide citing text.

Of course, there are some bad ass, wonderful ministers out there. My grand dad was one of them, and others throughout the country encourage free thought. But the quest for personal answers seems to be an integral part of the Jewish Faith.

Check out the Cohen Brother's awesome new movie "A Serious Man," it did a great job showing that side of the religion.

P.S. I'm no expert in Judaism, just basically all of my high school friends were deep in religious training and invited me along to temple many times, while never trying to convert me or shove their values down my throat.
 
They don't say. But the odds of her being Jewish with the name María José de Pablo Fernández and being from Santiago, Chile are pretty slim.

She's Jewish on the show. That's all that matters ya know. Like Kiefer Sutherland.
 
As a New Yorker I've been surrounded by Jews all of my life. I have to say that I've never seen a group of people who consistently fight for the rights of others (the civil rights movement), keep their cultural values in tact while actively trying to include other races and fringe groups into theirs. I hate stereotypes, one way or the other, but growing up in a rough working class neighborhood I've seen the best and worst of many ethnic groups, and always felt othered growing up, until I went to a High School with a strong jewish population - they embraced me regardless of my browness... My first girlfriend was a jewish girl who was strong, brilliant, and mature enough to look past my fat ass and took the time to look within... Unlike my protestant upbringing, the rabbis I've met all encouraged questions and doubt - they all were also scholars who appreciated my curiosity, unlike some religious people locked in dogma.

I don't mean to other at all - I know none of this enlightened outlook is due to race, but a culture I respect so very much.

I have no idea what the point of this is - HAPPY PASS OVER!

Shens
 
All of it... With the exception of Happy passover

I won't resort to attention whoring (old freedomsbeat mastered that) by posting pictures of my jewish friends and exes, especially since that's othering them. I'll allow you to believe I concocted everything that I posted, as long as you'll accept my wished for a Happy Passover 🙂
 
New York Jews are all bleeding heart liberals. Israelis are fucking hardcore conservative after dealing with all the shit they've gone through; they are awesome. If you ever meet a red haired Israeli chick straight out of her mandatory military gig -- look out!
 
New York Jews are all bleeding heart liberals. Israelis are fucking hardcore conservative after dealing with all the shit they've gone through; they are awesome. If you ever meet a red haired Israeli chick straight out of her mandatory military gig -- look out!

Uh, no.
I have met many NY City Jews and they are certainly not all bleeding heart liberals.
I have also met many Israeli Jews here in the US. And they are a pretty divided bunch. Many of the Israeli Jews would certainly be called Socialists here in the US. Heck, what they call "conservative" in Israel is still Socialist in the US.
 
Uh, no.
I have met many NY City Jews and they are certainly not all bleeding heart liberals.
I have also met many Israeli Jews here in the US. And they are a pretty divided bunch. Many of the Israeli Jews would certainly be called Socialists here in the US. Heck, what they call "conservative" in Israel is still Socialist in the US.

The first part is actually true, I've met some pretty conservative NYC Jews. Not sure about the second part. Not Jewish myself.
 
Back
Top