[spaypets]

I've really enjoyed reading this discussion...

Brat, you wondered about "othering" and I think in order to understand this you have to look at the history of the Jewish people.

First, I'm by no means an expert and am drawing examples off the top of my head, so if someone notices an inaccuracy, then please let me know.

When Judaism was founded, it was the first monotheistic religion and it was surrounded by people who worshipped many gods and idols. Because the foundation of Judaism was so different, I imagine that its followers deliberately separated from the rest of the culture. The tradition of circumcision was to symbolize Abraham's covenant with G-d, but it also was to distinguish the Jews from the Gentiles. The whole point of being chosen is to differentiate yourself from everyone else.

Ok, fast forward to the Diaspora -- after the destruction of the Temple, Jews were thrown to the four winds and scattered throughout the world -- in an attempt to avoid losing their traditions and faith, they "stuck together" seperating themsleves from others. Remember, there are all kinds of dietary laws that kept Jews from eating in others homes, planting and farming rules that kept them from farming with others, work rules that may have been unpopular with neighbors etc.

Now, skip over to Medieval times, when basically political life was run by the Catholic Church. Jews became easy scapegoats (not that they weren't before -- they were often seen as threats to the polical establishment). In some areas because of rules about land ownership etc. Jews became money lenders and merchants because those were the only jobs open to them -- this made them unpopular with peasants. And, since hand washing was part of the liturgy, Jews didn't get the plague as much as others, and so were blamed for it. Jews were segregated in ghettos at that time too.

This hostility remains today. Some of the most virulent anti-semitism and blood libel is rooted in Medieval thought.


Anyway to get to your other question about teaching an adopted child about his Jewish heritage, I have to say there's only so much you can do if you're not Jewish. In the same way that those of us who have adopted internationally struggle with teach our children about a culture we don't share with them, you will have the same struggle.

Sure, you can light Chanukah candles or go to a Passover seder (lots of synaguogues host interfaith ones), but it isn't the same as living a Jewish life. Any more than me serving Indian food or having sparklers on Diwali is living an Indian life for my daughter.

In some ways, it may be simpler not to bother. My daughter clearly is Indian -- you can tell by looking. So there will be circumstances when that's how she will be treated. But chances are, no one would be able to identify your child as from a Jewish background (despite all jokes about "looking Jewish"), so no one will treat him as anything but how you're raising him (since Judiaism is a religion not a race).


I hope this all make sense -- I'm speeding through this at work.