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"Borg"-ing the Jews; Culture and assimilation
Topic Started: Jun 21 2005, 11:23 AM (299 Views)
Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=x...4a0r7mksu8hi01f
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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The 89th Key
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I thought this thread was going to be about Victor Borge. :P
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Fliszt? :D
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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bachophile
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HOLY CARP!!!
i dont think that jewish identity and contribution to culture is mutually exclusive.

in fact im sure not.

but it reminds me of a joke told once by Moshe Dayan,in a typically israeli jewish self depracating manner.

he said...

Jews have been like the fertilizer of the world, u sprinkle a little in each society and the result is a blossiming harvest of culture whervever they are.

but bring them all to israel, and all that u have is a pile of shit.
"I don't know much about classical music. For years I thought the Goldberg Variations were something Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg did on their wedding night." Woody Allen
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big al
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Bull-Carp
One of the keys to the American ascendance, IMHO, has been the melting pot effect. I don't know if this metaphor is more prevalent in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania due to the long association of this region with the steel industry or whether it is in general circulation.

The contributions of many diverse groups of immigrants produced an alloy that was stronger than any of them individually. The article highlighted some areas where American Jews were particular contributors.

There is no doubt a serious risk to ethnic and/or religious identity in the process of assimilation. What is to be hoped for, and to my mind, often achieved in this country is the continuing ability to take the best ideas, foods, music, and other aspects of particular cultures and incorporate them into a grander, more diverse society. Those who wish to preserve a distinct and isolated society (the Amish come to mind here) should be free to do so, but all of us are richer for a diverse, inclusive society that can accept additions from whatever source.

When I lived in Australia, there was still concern about how the post-WWII immigants from southern and eastern Europe would be assimilated into the primarily British and Irish fabric of that nation. In addition, the white-Australia policy was still a recent memory. Based on my experiences and knowing what had happened to the immigrants of earlier generations in this country, all I could say to my friends there was get to know everybody and you'll find that many perceived difficulties become non-issues, especially as a couple of generations grow up together. It doesn't solve all problems, but most of it works out.

Big Al
Location: Western PA

"jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen."
-bachophile
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pianojerome
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HOLY CARP!!!
The faulty assumption is that Jews cannot fit into American society unless they become secular or Christian.

THIS IS WHAT IS CAUSING JEWISH ASSIMILATION. It's this desire to fit in, and the faulty notion that we can't fit in as observant Jews. I'm not saying we should all become orthodox Jews, following the laws to the letter; but we certainly don't need to give ourselves up to fit into society.
Sam
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
pianojerome
Jun 21 2005, 05:50 PM
The faulty assumption is that Jews cannot fit into American society unless they become secular or Christian.

THIS IS WHAT IS CAUSING JEWISH ASSIMILATION. It's this desire to fit in, and the faulty notion that we can't fit in as observant Jews. I'm not saying we should all become orthodox Jews, following the laws to the letter; but we certainly don't need to give ourselves up to fit into society.

Here's what I find interesting....

There has long been a Jewish presence in the South...smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt. They have done quite well, while preserving a pretty distinct Jewish culture.

In fact, a lot of folks down here respect Lieberman much more for his devotion to his religion, than for his political stances.

The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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