Posted on 12/25/2005 10:37:22 AM PST by Alouette
I realize that, FRiend, and I didn't think you were.
People with a reasonable ability to form coherent thought should always examine the reasons (and their motives) for "feeling" the way they do. For the same reason that I have discovered that "secular jews" are, as a rule, pushy/whiny liberals, I have also discovered that when I really get pi$$ed off about something, I am usually in the wrong. :)
Therefore, I've been forced to carefully examine my "feelings" about secular jews - I dislike them because they are liberal; not because of their Jewish heritage or their apparent lack of religious sentiment.
In the vein of "what percent of a population is needed to create a stereotype" I think that number would vary widely - depending upon the "loudness" of that percentage. For example, look at the homosexual community - how few of the "flaming" queers have managed to push their agenda on the rest of society - and the stereotype that activity has engendered.
I don't care what anyone is, as long as he or she shows some degree of respect for other's beliefs.
I am a born again Christian with a deep and "rabid" love of Israel and the Jewish people. I've worn a Star of David -and, now that I think about it,never a cross- for over 30 years, I have learned some Hebrew and I have had not a few head buttings with some antisemitic idiots...
I guess I have not converted because I would be a very lonely Jewish momma!
My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Lindner, (a wonderful Jewish woman) taught us all about draidels (sp?), and taught us to do that traditional Jewish song where everyone locks arms and dances around in a circle.(forget the song's name, please help me here)
She also taught us many different Jewish stories and traditions, which I cherish to this day.
By the way, it was a public school here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and all the kids loved it, or so I remember.
I don't remember one complaint from anyone either, and I'm certain 95 percent were Christian.
If I don't move down South, I plan on retiring to that "Alabama" portion someday. It sounds like bliss compared to being this close to Philly.
This really grinds my gears. La dee dah HYPHENATED name. Either use your daddy's name or your husband's name, to use both is just affected BS. Does she shovel both names on the kids or will she let them choose which name they want when they turn 18?
I wouldn't want to be named Schejter. Change one letter and it means something nasty in German.
ACK! Go Red Raiders!!
Just because you disagree with them completely doesn't make them a nazi.
It detracts from your argument, making a blanket statement like such.
I'd imagine there always was a strong Jewish presence at Penn State. My father spoke of having a Jewish friend on campus when he was up at PSU in the early 40's. He tutored "Benny" in math and engineering, and they became friends.
I have to ask: just what the heck was this woman expecting? The U.S.A. is aleggedly 85% Christian. Up in Centre County, it's more like 99% Christian. Even way down here in Delaware County, is not only overwhelmingly Christian, it's overwhelmingly Catholic (there are about as many Catholic schools as public schools, and they tend to be a lot bigger). Did she really think that people would sterilize an afer-hours, 100% voluntary Christmas celebration so her children would be shielded from (ooooooh) Christian influences? I suppose we Christians should just all go out and shoot ourselves while we're at it. She needs to take a chill pill and a tolerance lesson from my (Jewish) uncle and first cousins (though not a political one, since they're flaming libs--wink).
Strangely, Professor Maltz-Schejter whines and moans about being "the only, lonely Jews" in town but at the same time shunned the Chabad family, probably because she thought they were "too religious."
When my daughter was in grade school they made menorrah's out of construction paper, learned about driedels (sp) and also learned the driedel song. I was not offended whatsoever and would never have dreamed objecting to those lessons or the dreidle song being included in the music program.
The author is very insecure.
If a woman wants to keep her maiden name, thats great.... Especially after seeing the hassles that my own wife had to deal with in changing hers after we were married. :-) If she wants to change her name, that's fine, too. But a hyphenated name is just plain wishy-washy. It implies, to me at least, that the husband's name isn't good enough, but she still wants all of the benefits that it carries.
Her husband Mr Schejterdoes not rate very well as a prof and I see his wife is a journalist. Typical mainstream liberal - this is not a religious issue - its just yellow journalism.
I wonder if the public schools in Israel are entirely secular? (Don't really know here). If I took my children to, say a middle eastern country, I wouldn't expect that they wouldn't be exposed to other religions. In fact, I would expect that they would teach my children with the customs and widespread religious observances of their area, and it would be my job to teach my children at home about our family's customs and religion. I don't think I'm particularly intolerant, but I am getting pretty tired of all these people coming here (rural PA) from other places and telling us what we have to do for them. As locals, we were raised in the tradition of "god helps those who help themselves". I was in school here 20-30 years ago, and we had Jewish Chilton in our classes then. I fail to see how her 3 children suddenly became the only Jewish children in our public schools. I wonder if the Schools District would have school census information like that I could get...
In addition to Jewish folks, we have plenty of Chinese, Hindu's, Asians and Middle Easterners (many Iranians fled here when the Shah fell). I'm kind of offended that she portrays us as so rural and backward; in the school district that's located at the home of Penn State, we actually have a pretty high minority rate - but they are from all around the world, drawn (like Judy) to the chance to experience a rural yet academic life. It's a culturally diverse area, and a great place to have your children see diversity all around them. My children celebrated the Hindu Festival of Lights several times; several Native American events that I can't recall specifically; Swedish Christmas traditions, and Chinese New Year (that's those that I recall).
Interestingly enough, my nephew came home from the same school district (he's in 3rd grade here, like Tamar) saying one of the kids was telling everyone that Santa wasn't real.
Thanks -- I've heard some good things about Vineyard churches. There's actually one here -- didn't know that until I followed the link you posted. Have e-mailed them -- so, we'll see...
Actually, if this was a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) event, nothing in it was required. Our schools, here in Rural PA (including the school district she's talking about) do not have any required choir - all participation in any kind of choir is completely voluntary. Even music classes do little singing, and all of that is completely secular. She needs to learn the difference between the School District and the completely voluntary participation in PTO. Maybe she could start her own JPTO (Jewish Parent Teacher Organization), and they could sponsor holiday events where they sing Hanukkah songs. Contrary to what she apparently believes, she does NOT have the only Jewish Children in her school district. My son went there too, and one of his best friends was Jewish. They had a group of fellow's they celebrated their holidays with in the community surrounding Penn State.
PSU had a very active Hillel Center when I was there in the early 70's. Wonderful programs, discussion groups, group dinners. I attended a few of their programs.
You've got that right! While they say that little of the money for academics comes from tax dollars (true, PA is not very generous with their tax dollars for state supported higher education), they get huge amounts of money for research contracts! USDA has their own office at Penn State; many departments do research for defense agencies. Lots of our money goes to them, and they bring in lots of people who want to change our way of life.
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