Reflections on conference call and the Gordis article.

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Permalink Reply by Sharon Halper on December 16, 2009 at 2:21am

I would love to know what David Gordis' definition and 'requirements' are for Peoplehood.
He seems to value 'traditional tribal terms' above a Jewish commitment to living in a contemporary global reality.
If 'Peoplehood' is an expansive concept, isn't that incompatible with the notion of requiring a traditional tribal definition? Would Gordis think that liberal social attitudes can coexist along with Peoplehood? Can we encounter peoplehood elsewhere other than in Israel? Is intermarriage the 'enemy' of Peoplehood and Birthright its salvation?
More confused than ever (and completely annoyed with Gordis!),
Sharon

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Permalink Reply by Gabrielle TP on January 5, 2010 at 9:59pm

Sharon-
i think you raise some very interesting questions about Peoplehood- especially along the lines of Intermarriage and Birthright. I would love to hear your opinions (and anyone's) on these topics. It seems to me that peoplehood runs thicker than blood-- encompasses language, shared history, arts, culture, politics, religion- that would be my argument against why intermarriage is Not the enemy of peoplehood, though certainly it is something that can complicate or enrich someone's Jewish and personal identity.
-Gabrielle

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Permalink Reply by Michal Almalem on January 6, 2010 at 4:56pm

The discussion about peoplehood and the reflections, including being confused, angry or happy about Mr Gordi’s article is the actual peoplehood!!!
It is like the Messiah that the only real thing about him right now is the waiting.
Jews had many conflicts about the "right" way to define who is or isn't a part of the Jewish people. Forbidding mixed marriage was the need of the time when the Jews were returning to Zion after the first temple was destroyed and yet it was not a problem during our fathers time hundreds of years before. Same with changing the Torah from ancient Hebrew letters to the modern letters we read today as many sects and minorities felt our Torah is theirs as well. Yochanan Ben Zakai was a traitor that didn't want to fight the Romans when I went to high school, and today he is a symbol of peace and he is the hero that preserves Judaism as we know it today.
So what ever definition Mr. Gordi will create for us about what work and what does not work in terms of being Jewish or being a part of the Jewish people, the question will be if it fit to the needs of our time.
I don’t think “every thing count” as a part of the peoplehood, but I do not understand how come people that do not practice Judaism or chose church for two generations, still considered as Jews if they have the “right” blood connections. This happens while people that converted to Judaism in a conservative or reform way might be excluded according to the Israeli law.
So the argument is important because it create awareness and maybe a change.
Being included is an important part of peoplehood just like world wide tikun olam projects and recognition of the contribution of Israel to the world.

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