Comments on: Holocaust Memory and Jewish Identity http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/ blog of the American Jewish Committee. Articles on Jewish life, current events, and Israel. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:29:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Edith Brotman http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-275 Edith Brotman Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:27:18 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-275 Right on target! Speaking very broadly, many of us American Jewish post baby-boomers are looking to hang our hats on something richer than our victimization during the Holocaust. Are we ethically compelled to remember the Holocaust and its victims? Absolutely. But, the anger and outrage that the Holocaust engenders are intense and addicting highs that make us unable to experience the more subtle bliss of love, compassion and a connection with Adonai. Bayme is correct about dialing down Holocaust rememberence. But let's not continue to overemphasize our ethnic status at the expense of our religious experience. I would prefer to see the Jewish community get more comfortable with religion and G-d. Connecting with Judaism does not need to be a return to orthodoxy. The Pittsburgh Platform and others like it from a hundred years ago set a blueprint for religious experience that could even exist without ethnic identity. We don't need to go that far, but among the non-orthodox the current imbalance lies to the ethnic extreme. To continue to ignore Judaism (the religion) is to lose the root source of what makes being Jewish (the ethnicity) special. Right on target! Speaking very broadly, many of us American Jewish post baby-boomers are looking to hang our hats on something richer than our victimization during the Holocaust.

Are we ethically compelled to remember the Holocaust and its victims? Absolutely. But, the anger and outrage that the Holocaust engenders are intense and addicting highs that make us unable to experience the more subtle bliss of love, compassion and a connection with Adonai.

Bayme is correct about dialing down Holocaust rememberence. But let’s not continue to overemphasize our ethnic status at the expense of our religious experience. I would prefer to see the Jewish community get more comfortable with religion and G-d. Connecting with Judaism does not need to be a return to orthodoxy. The Pittsburgh Platform and others like it from a hundred years ago set a blueprint for religious experience that could even exist without ethnic identity. We don’t need to go that far, but among the non-orthodox the current imbalance lies to the ethnic extreme. To continue to ignore Judaism (the religion) is to lose the root source of what makes being Jewish (the ethnicity) special.

]]> By: Ronald Schwartz http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-274 Ronald Schwartz Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:08:05 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-274 Professor Fackenheim didn't merely warn, he legislated a commandment. Was it cultural pride which brought the American Jewish Committee into existence? What motivates Jews to support causes like AJC, WJC, ADL, the State of Israel? Would Professor Bayme still agree with Arthur Hertzberg's declaration, "there's no business like Shoah business?" As the Holocaust recedes in memory and is increasingly less compelling as a source of Jewish self identification and interest, which distinctive core values does he perceive as preserving the Jewish future? Professor Fackenheim didn’t merely warn, he legislated a commandment. Was it cultural pride which brought the American Jewish Committee into existence? What motivates Jews to support causes like AJC, WJC, ADL, the State of Israel?

Would Professor Bayme still agree with Arthur Hertzberg’s declaration, “there’s no business like Shoah business?” As the Holocaust recedes in memory and is increasingly less compelling as a source of Jewish self identification and interest, which distinctive core values does he perceive as preserving the Jewish future?

]]> By: David Cooper http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-273 David Cooper Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:42:34 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-273 Holocaust Memory is NOT for Jews to feel "less than". It's for the World of non-Jews to know what evil looks like. The inhumanity of man cannot be more profound than the Holocaust. It's a universal message, and has allowed all faiths and non-believers in any faith to comprehend the horror of hate. Holocaust Memory is NOT for Jews to feel “less than”. It’s for the World of non-Jews to know what evil looks like. The inhumanity of man cannot be more profound than the Holocaust.
It’s a universal message, and has allowed all faiths and non-believers in any faith to comprehend the horror of hate.

]]> By: Brian Michels http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-272 Brian Michels Sun, 08 Apr 2007 02:30:12 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-272 I enjoyed Steve Bayme's perspective. I'm a non-Jew; although I'm a New Yorker and many often consider that enough to be at least half Jewish. Humor aside, I admire Judaism for many tenets which Mr. Bayme touched upon, primarily the sense of compassion, community and family. I also cherish the long and rich history of Judaism which reaches thousands and thousands of years. I also appreciate the moral understanding I've achieved from reading passages from the Torah from time to time and from conversations I've had with a good freind who happens to be a Rabbi. In fact it is the Torah which Mr. Bayme left out of his list of essential elements of Judaism that has me confused. It made me wonder about Mr. Bayme' ideas. I believe the Torah is the second most important and mandatory piece of knowledge Jews should hold dear to their heart. After all, it wouldn't be hard to imagine a scenario were a Jew could be left without a synagogue or family or freinds, perhaps even the entire state of Israel could catastophically slip into the Mediteranean, and what a saving grace a Jew might have if left only with the Torah and it's ultimate message of life and spirit. I say the Torah is the second most essential aspect of Judaism. The most important aspect of Judaism which Mr. Bayme also carelessly left out of his choices for the reader to ponder is a Jew's relationship with G*d. A Jew's relationship with G*d, as with all mankind's relationship with G*d, is quinessential because even if calamity falls upon all Jews or all mankind, if entire nations slip into the sea, if immmoral governments wreak havoc and persecute innocents, if the pages of history including the holocaust and the ever enlightening Torah were burned to ash, the only thing left for a Jew would be his/her relationship with G*d. How Mr. Bayme left this out of his otherwise thoughtful piece is unsettling. If I may, I'd encourage him to rewrite it beacuse I believe the topic is very important at the moment given the state of affairs in the Middle East and the potential for the rise of anti-semitism. I believe a clearer understanding of Judaism for all peoples of the world would only bring more hope and compassion. Too often I hear individuals talk about Zionism (idolatry, worship of state) in the same breathe as Judaism (worship of G*d), and too often they're angry. There is clearly a difference. It appears the anger is directed at Zionism. Much of this anger seems justified in light of the militant and brutal governments which at times control Israel's foriegn policy. To clear the air and help avoid pain and suffering for so many, I urge Mr. Bayme to rewrite this piece with perhaps an emphasis on the differences between Judaism and Zionism. My heart tells me he is close to the right path. I enjoyed Steve Bayme’s perspective. I’m a non-Jew; although I’m a New Yorker and many often consider that enough to be at least half Jewish. Humor aside, I admire Judaism for many tenets which Mr. Bayme touched upon, primarily the sense of compassion, community and family. I also cherish the long and rich history of Judaism which reaches thousands and thousands of years. I also appreciate the moral understanding I’ve achieved from reading passages from the Torah from time to time and from conversations I’ve had with a good freind who happens to be a Rabbi. In fact it is the Torah which Mr. Bayme left out of his list of essential elements of Judaism that has me confused. It made me wonder about Mr. Bayme’ ideas. I believe the Torah is the second most important and mandatory piece of knowledge Jews should hold dear to their heart. After all, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine a scenario were a Jew could be left without a synagogue or family or freinds, perhaps even the entire state of Israel could catastophically slip into the Mediteranean, and what a saving grace a Jew might have if left only with the Torah and it’s ultimate message of life and spirit. I say the Torah is the second most essential aspect of Judaism. The most important aspect of Judaism which Mr. Bayme also carelessly left out of his choices for the reader to ponder is a Jew’s relationship with G*d. A Jew’s relationship with G*d, as with all mankind’s relationship with G*d, is quinessential because even if calamity falls upon all Jews or all mankind, if entire nations slip into the sea, if immmoral governments wreak havoc and persecute innocents, if the pages of history including the holocaust and the ever enlightening Torah were burned to ash, the only thing left for a Jew would be his/her relationship with G*d. How Mr. Bayme left this out of his otherwise thoughtful piece is unsettling. If I may, I’d encourage him to rewrite it beacuse I believe the topic is very important at the moment given the state of affairs in the Middle East and the potential for the rise of anti-semitism. I believe a clearer understanding of Judaism for all peoples of the world would only bring more hope and compassion. Too often I hear individuals talk about Zionism (idolatry, worship of state) in the same breathe as Judaism (worship of G*d), and too often they’re angry. There is clearly a difference. It appears the anger is directed at Zionism. Much of this anger seems justified in light of the militant and brutal governments which at times control Israel’s foriegn policy. To clear the air and help avoid pain and suffering for so many, I urge Mr. Bayme to rewrite this piece with perhaps an emphasis on the differences between Judaism and Zionism. My heart tells me he is close to the right path.

]]> By: curt maynard http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-271 curt maynard Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:42:49 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-271 It's good to see that Jews are really backing away from the house of cards they know the holocaust to be, Good luck in getting away with this. It’s good to see that Jews are really backing away from the house of cards they know the holocaust to be, Good luck in getting away with this.

]]> By: SARA SPRINGER http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-270 SARA SPRINGER Fri, 06 Apr 2007 05:10:00 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-270 Mr Bayme, Yes, we need desparately to educate all Jews to the beauty of Judaism, and to our incredible history, values, and contributions to the world. Where is the education, both here and in Israel, regarding what Israel stands for? However, I do not think you fathom the profound psychological effects of the Shoah, too numerous and complex to go into here. Today's rebirth of intense hatred towards Jews and Israel, accompanied with overt acts, stirs and brings forth to the surface unease due to the experience and memory of the Shoah. I do not believe that the Shoah is thought of as history. It is still too real, and in today's climate it is a possibility that it could happen again. So whn you asked your friends which chapter of history should be mandatory, I do not think they feel the Shoah is history. It is entirely something else. Mr Bayme,
Yes, we need desparately to educate all Jews to the beauty of Judaism, and to our incredible history, values, and contributions to the world. Where is the education, both here and in Israel, regarding what Israel stands for? However, I do not think you fathom the profound psychological effects of the Shoah, too numerous and complex to go into here. Today’s rebirth of intense hatred towards Jews and Israel, accompanied with overt acts, stirs and brings forth to the surface unease due to the experience and memory of the Shoah.
I do not believe that the Shoah is thought of as history. It is still too real, and in today’s climate it is a possibility that it could happen again. So whn you asked your friends which chapter of history should be mandatory, I do not think they feel the Shoah is history. It is entirely something else.

]]> By: Don Markstein http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-269 Don Markstein Fri, 06 Apr 2007 02:56:13 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-269 I thought author Steve Bayme was very "right" on the issue of Jews giving excessive focus on the Holocaust as central in Jewish history. Among other interesting things Bayme says, he questions why the founding of Jewish State of Israel wouldn't hold a more important position than the Holocaust in Jewish history. Wasn't the Holocaust precedent to the Jewish State, and would the Zionists have been able to create the State had there been no Holocaust. If the legitimacy of the State did not depend in large part on the Holocaust how would Holocaust deniers otherwise refute the right of Israel to exist? I thought author Steve Bayme was very “right” on the issue of Jews giving excessive focus on the Holocaust as central in Jewish history. Among other interesting things Bayme says, he questions why the founding of Jewish State of Israel wouldn’t hold a more important position than the Holocaust in Jewish history. Wasn’t the Holocaust precedent to the Jewish State, and would the Zionists have been able to create the State had there been no Holocaust. If the legitimacy of the State did not depend in large part on the Holocaust how would Holocaust deniers otherwise refute the right of Israel to exist?

]]> By: Dr. Rosalie Franks http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-268 Dr. Rosalie Franks Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:18:22 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-268 I agree with you Mr. Bayme. Jewish young people must take pride in their Jewish background and not identify soley as Jews because of the Holocaust. However, I think you need to place the issue in context. American adolescents, both Jewish and non-Jewish, spend a lot of time in class studying the Holocaust, and so they are conversant more with what happened to the Jews in the '30s and '40s than they are with Jewish historical achievements. It is quite possible that young Jews are learning about themselves and their mid 20th century victim status from contemporary American education and culture. As a teacher of Critical Writing and Holocaust Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, I know of many non-denominational, secterian organizations as well as Jewish institutions that promote strategies for teaching the Holocaust. The students, Jews and non-Jews, focus on the Shoah because that is what their teachers are exploring with them. Many states mandate the teaching of the Holocaust. To help Jews and non-Jews understand the Jewish experience, more emphasis needs to be placed in education on the contributions of Jewish culture over the milennia and how the great Jewish thinkers of the past have contributed to our rich legacy now. Young students must understand that the Holocaust is simply a horrible, unprecedented tragedy in Jewish history but not the defining one to identify with for all time. When teachers expose their students to this concept, perhaps Jewish young people and others will have a deeper appreciation of their faith. I agree with you Mr. Bayme. Jewish young people must take pride in their Jewish background and not identify soley as Jews because of the Holocaust. However, I think you need to place the issue in context. American adolescents, both Jewish and non-Jewish, spend a lot of time in class studying the Holocaust, and so they are conversant more with what happened to the Jews in the ’30s and ’40s than they are with Jewish historical achievements. It is quite possible that young Jews are learning about themselves and their mid 20th century victim status from contemporary American education and culture. As a teacher of Critical Writing and Holocaust Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, I know of many non-denominational, secterian organizations as well as Jewish institutions that promote strategies for teaching the Holocaust. The students, Jews and non-Jews, focus on the Shoah because that is what their teachers are exploring with them. Many states mandate the teaching of the Holocaust.

To help Jews and non-Jews understand the Jewish experience, more emphasis needs to be placed in education on the contributions of Jewish culture over the milennia and how the great Jewish thinkers of the past have contributed to our rich legacy now. Young students must understand that the Holocaust is simply a horrible, unprecedented tragedy in Jewish history but not the defining one to identify with for all time. When teachers expose their students to this concept, perhaps Jewish young people and others will have a deeper appreciation of their faith.

]]> By: lynn kroll http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-267 lynn kroll Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:15:51 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-267 Steve, I think an essential question that must be explored is why do so many American Jews who remain uninterested, or distant, or unknowledgeable about Jewish living, cite the Holocaust and secondarily anti-semetism as such an important part of their Jewish identity. Understanding the psychological reasons for it may help us to figure out how we can promote other touchstones of Jewish identification and engage Jews in the positive aspects of Judaism. Lynn Steve,
I think an essential question that must be explored is why do so many American Jews who remain uninterested, or distant, or unknowledgeable about Jewish living, cite the Holocaust and secondarily anti-semetism as such an important part of their Jewish identity.
Understanding the psychological reasons for it may help us to figure out how we can promote other touchstones of Jewish identification and engage Jews in the positive aspects of Judaism.
Lynn

]]> By: Charles Cook http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-266 Charles Cook Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:33:07 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/05/holocaust-memory-and-jewish-identity/#comment-266 I am a Christian and cannot join with you in building a "strong Jewish identity" for myself, but I respect the Jewish people and I strongly agree with Steven Bayme, that while the Holocaust should be emphasized, Jews indeed need to pride themselves on their achievements and successes. I join with many other non-Jews in recognizing that those "achievements and successes" have affected mankind in so many positive ways that it would be virtually impossible to number them. I will join with you in fighting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it rears it's ugly head. I am a Christian and cannot join with you in building a “strong Jewish identity” for myself, but I respect the Jewish people and I strongly agree with Steven Bayme, that while the Holocaust should be emphasized, Jews indeed need to pride themselves on their achievements and successes. I join with many other non-Jews in recognizing that those “achievements and successes” have affected mankind in so many positive ways that it would be virtually impossible to number them. I will join with you in fighting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it rears it’s ugly head.

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