Fellow Jews: Are we in danger of losing our faith to assimilation?

Question

The reason to why I am asking this question is b/c I was working the other day with my friend helping him with his roof work. When another Jew approached us, I know him well. He came up to me and ask me if he could talk to me. I said sure. He then told me that I need to take of my kippa. He said that I was showing of and in today’s society I don’t have to wear a kippa. Furthermore, he mentioned that by wearing a kippa I was making the rest of the Jews in the area fill uncomfortable. He said that Orthodox traditions are of the past and that I need to return to my secular roots or my parents. In addition, he told me that I was wrong for wear my kippa in public, because I was calling attention to all Jews in the area, and was making our Christian neighbors feel uncomfortable.
Having taught his child during Sunday school, he also told me that because of my lesson his child now demands of his mother to light the Shabbas candles and to go to temple on Saturday. He said, that I should not teach his child traditional Orthodox doctrine.
Experiencing this are we our own worse enemies now?

Answer 1

I can only speak for myself as a Jew-by-choice -- I would have been pleased to see the kippa and would have felt a sense of kinship.

You may not know that many gentiles are showing an interest in Judaism now that the Reform groups are having public classes introducing Judaism to both gentiles and non-observant Jews. Our rabbi who visits the sick in hospitals is amazed to find that many gentiles ask to see a rabbi instead of a pastor.

I hope to see many more Jews become observant -- otherwise, we converts could very well outnumber the born Jews.
.

Answer 2

I am Christian and was just curious what your question was going to be..... The part about Christians being uncomfortable if you wore your kippa around. .I would not feel uncomfortable at all. If you have faith in your religion than that's beautiful. All this babble about offending people because of religion really gets to me can't a Jew and a Christian live side by side and wish the other person a merry Christmas or a happy Hanuka. I hope you are strong and continue to be the person that you are ,,, Do not listen to your friend . P.S. The Christians that I hang out with view everyone regardless of there religion ... as there brother and sisters. Take Care . I hope you find the answer your looking for. Also I really find the danger out there is people losing them selves because of what someone else thinks...

Answer 3

my family and i converted reform, mostly cause it's the only "game" (synagogue) in our town. we have run into this as well. my son chooses to wear a kippah to public school, refuses to perform in the xmas play, etc. and we have had similar comments about that, as well as any other more orthodox (i prefer the meaning behind reconstructionist personally) practices. i was asked to teach religious school, then got complaints because i tried to explain what it was to eat kosher - and i didn't even get into kosher kitchens - just the foods and stuff.
we have actually, on the advice of the rabbi who converted us, started doing more at home practices and traveling nearly 2 hours to another synagogue about once a month. i don't know if it's about the fact that people like your neighbor have assimilated, there are plenty of secular christians and they seem to be as strong as ever.
we lead a very secular lifestyle in a lot of ways, but for us, our jewish culture is more accepted as part of our subculture. this year we had horror punk bands over to celebrate chanukah with us, my husband got a beautiful jewish tattoo, and we have had friends over to listen to nofx and eat my nearly famous matzah ball soup and watch me light the candles, cover my eyes, and say that beautiful blessing again.

not exactly what i had in mind for a jewish community when we started this journey, but it's the best i can do until the other jews in my area catch up with the non-jews and start thinking that it's cool to be jewish.

Answer 4

I honestly feel sorry for your friend.

To be embarrassed of your own culture and history...

Jews dont need outside pressure to assimilate, we do it enough to ourselves. I hope he should get a Ultra-Orthodox "rock thrower" for a son. And a dozen grand kids in tow LOL.

though to tell you my own event I can honestly say that wearing a kippa has hurt my job performance.

I have lost clients for my mothers company because of it. My parents reaction? Well if they are going to do that then we dont need their business anyways! I still felt gulity about it though.

Answer 5

Your "friend" is not your friend at all, he is trying to turn you away from the traditions your people have practiced and died trying to practice for thousands of years. Don't listen to this man. Your kippah shouldn't make anyone feel uncomfortable--is your "friend" going around to Chr*stians and asking them to not put up Xmas trees because it's making the Jews uncomfortable? No! The fact is most Chr*stians I have met are very beautiful and accepting people who will gladly wish you a Happy Chanukkah when you wish them a Merry Xmas. Who is he to say whose traditions are of the past? Aizeh chutzpah! If this man doesn't want his child to have a strong Jewish background that's fine, but he doesn't have the right to tell you you don't have the right to yours. As long as there are people like you around who stand up to this type of person and keep our traditions intact, we're not in any danger--the danger comes when we start giving in to this type of person.

In the words of the Hebrew Hammer--stay Jewish.

Answer 6

People like the guy who was bitching about the kippa are in danger of losing faith. Those like me and you that are able to proudly wear a kippah, and not give in are not.

Answer 7

Your Jewish friend sounds like he went to the Jews for Jesus, Im sorry to hear that, Im a Pagan for many reasons, one is because I let the abrahamic three duke it out among themselves, for me theyre too strict for my liking. There is a change in the air, and christians, jews and muslims are looked at with great disapproval.

Answer 8

Oy. This is "shande far di goyim" nonsense. We live in a free an pluralistic society, and need to give up this idea of hiding our culture from non-Jews.

He should have a son with a long beard and peyot to bring him ten grandchildren.

Answer 9

Interesting information there. I am very much impressed. I am not a Jew though, I wish I was one.

You Jewish guys are very blessed!! Every time I read the Bible I can't help asking the question "Why did God choose the Jews?". Without Jesus Christ the entire world (including Christians) was going to destruction. Thanks be the Lord God Almighty for Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

Losing- no. Losing some members-yes.