Mtmynd … it’s interesting that the very word “Jew” brought up all these connotations to you. I hadn’t even thought about that — where I live, we say the word all the time and nobody feels uncomfortable about it. Well, if the world feels uncomfortable with the word “Jew”, that’ll make my job here that much more interesting!

Also, at the risk of getting off the subject of war & peace, I have to say that I admire your pride in your roots. You remind me of Spike Lee, who obviously deals with themes of race, but when asked in an interview about being a “Black director,” responded with, ‘Why do you have to say Black director? What not simply say director? (paraphrased).’ I guess the idea is to focus on the context of the subject at hand.

I have a good friend whose roots are Jewish (and orginally from NY, btw), and despite the years we’ve known each other, drank with each other, enjoying each others company, I have never mentioned the word ‘Jew’ around him… nor has he, for that matter. He’s not in any way religious and just does his thing, like all of us. But for some reason I have a sensitivity about even using the word ‘Jew’ around him.

This whole Jewish-thing is rather a puzzle for us OTJ’s, some less so and others more so, but there is a non-logical, non-rational hestitation of sorts whenever the word ‘Jew’ comes up. I plead ignorance in understanding this. The best I’ve gathered it’s from my early years after Hitler was in power and left such a horrid memory in people’s minds. I think you’ll agree that Hitler’s regime gave the word ‘Jew’ a powerfully negative vibe that even the vast majority who are not anti-Jewish still feel uncomfortable with the sound of the word alone. I am in agreement with using another word. It would a good thing for all, IMO.

Re your being Buddhist: If I may, I think of Jesus and his being called Christ. I am convinced the word ‘christ’ having its origins in Greek meaning ‘enlightened’, is parallel with the word ‘buddha’ meaning virtually the same thing, i.e., enlightened. Reading the words themselves that Jesus spoke using parables is quite indicative of one achieving enlightenment and I know within that there is no difference in what either has attained. The real shame is that the followers of Jesus, his disciples in particular, created the myth that Jesus alone was the only ’son of God’ without having any knowledge at the time that there were others in the Far East that had also attained enlightenment. And so the words of the un-awakened continue to resonate throughout the world giving false truths to mankind.

Sorry, Levi, for getting a bit off-track there. But I cain’t hep it!

When I call myself a Jew, I am referring only to my ethnic background. I can trace my background to Vienna, Potok Zloty, Riga and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. All of my ancestors, as far as I know, come from the European Jewish diaspora. Some people tell me I am mistaken when I describe this as my ethnic background. I usually take offense to this, because it’s the only ethnic background I have, and as far as I know everybody on earth is allowed to have an ethnic background.

Many people who live by the tenets of the Jewish religion will say that I have no right to call myself a Jew on ethnic grounds alone. Needless to say, I disagree with this. It’s a never-ending argument. I wish there were another word I could use (”Judaic”? “Hebraic”?) to describe my ethnic background without suggesting that I follow the religious laws set forth by Abraham and Moses. But there is no other word in common use, so the Jews are stuck with me as their blood brother, and they’re just going to have to move over and make room for one more Buddhist who eats bacon, like it or not.

On one hand I read that so much has been blamed on the Jews, while in other replies I read that we’re all just people… people living in different geological areas of the world.

The irritant I am faced with today is a very basic one - what is a Jew?

I know initially that sounds like a foolish question, but when you write that “I am a New York Jew,” I don’t equate that with anything other than an association with living in New York and having an historical lineage connected with Jews. This was especially evident when you emphasized the fact that you are more Buddhist than Jewish.

I’d trust that many OTJ’s (other than Jews), may be a bit confused when we all (from wherever…) speak of Jews. Is being a Jew the same as being French as one who was born in France? No, that is Nationalistic. Is being Jew the same as being a black person? No, that is a pigmentation differentiation. Is being a Jew like being an Evangelist? No, because all Jews don’t practice the Jewish faith. (Maybe Jews that do follow their faith should more properly be called Judeoists..?). Can being a Jew parallel being a Native American? No, since Judaism sprung from what we call today Arab-like peoples. (Historically what were those early peoples called?)

For myself, being a mixture of early America (via England) and Lithuanian (who happened to practice Catholicism), doesn’t really make me anything unless I choose to call myself American-Lithuanian Catholic, which is very clumsy and a non-truth. I gave up my Catholicism after graduating from a Catholic high school. My mother was the responsible ‘force’ in my being called a Catholic, but being young and impressionable was really what gave me reason to call myself ‘Catholic’ and nothing more. To non-whites I’m obviously a white man but that would be about it.

The bottom line to this reply is how can any of us, the ‘collective we of humanity’ ever live in real peace if we have distrust/misunderstanding/confusion of each other, if we don\’t faithfully believe in a common vision that would apply to all of ‘us’?

Please stop talking about Jews. You may find this hard to believe, but Jews are just regular people.

Love,

The Internet

PS: Dear Mel Gibson, Please shave your scary crazy beard. It doesn’t do a lot for your case right now. And while we have you here, what the hell were you thinking with Lethal Weapon 3?

PSS: Dear The Cherry Orchard, I will not get over the fact that Jews exist in the world and you can’t make me. I think Jews are totally awesome even if they are just regular people.

A completely rational person might examine an issue from all sides, and make an informed decision, but then, upon finding out their religion believes the other way, will suddenly throw all reason to the wind and champion the opposite of what their logic tells them.

For example, Walt Disney lied about his age to become an ambulance driver during WWI. This was generally seen as a noble act of patriotism after Disney became famous, even though the Bible says not to lie. On the other hand, when Disney World hosts Gay Day, conservatives turn purple with indignation and beseech God to rain fire on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘It’s a Small World’ irrespective. These same conservatives present lame arguments and loopholes to ban gay marriage and to force teaching of creationism in science class, whereas common sense gay couples aren’t hurting anybody, people don’t choose their sexual orientation, and creationism, even if it’s true, is not science!

As far as Mel Gibson goes, yeah he’s a mess and yeah he has some big time issues for having those things in his heart. BUT, haven’t we all at one time or another said things we shouldn’t have? Don’t we all have things we harbour in our imperfect hearts that we should’t?

I know I do. And I try to work on against that imperfection as best I can.

At least Mel Gibson is taking responsibility for his actions at this point. You don’t see too many people doing that anymore - especially celebrities.

My mother was born in Sweden, my father was born in Canada. His maternal grandparents came to Ellis Isle (from Czechoslovakia) with Jewish passports. His paternal ancestors were Mayflower Brits. And before that, Normans who went to England in the 11th century. So what? My ex-wife’s Panamanian. Her mother’s Chinese. Her father’s Hispanic-Indian with some Black blood. So what? Follow all that and try to figure out what ethnicity my kids are. (They were born in Panama.)

I was born on earth. And whatever allegiance I have is to France, Paraguay, New Zealand, Albania, Chechnya, Tibet, and 200 other stupid divisions of land that don’t mean jack shit. I’m Jewish Catholic Lutheran atheist. I believe in my granddaughter and making a suitable environment for her to grow up in. It’s time we all grew up a little bit; and stop being fucking baa baa dumb sheep.