Lee Diamond – The old and new American Jew: A dialogue
“It’s regrettable..
They’re no longer Jews…
They’re intermarried…
Their children are raised in two
Faiths or
A combined faithlessness
They are illiterate Jews…
Israel is off their agenda
So is Jewish ethnicity!
We’ve lost the battle
4000 years of Judaism
Have withered into
Vague memories or rejection.
We are the last generation
They will be the descendants
Of the Jews and their children
Hardly that”
“Wait a minute “
I heard that dad!
I’m Jewish
I’m even proud to be Jewish
Even if I’m not like you!
Grandpa and grandma
were more Jewish than you!
And nonetheless you’re Jewish ״
״Yes I’m married to a non-Jewish woman
You taught me to be open minded
You taught me to integrate into America
You sent me to public schools
I had lots of non-Jewish friends.
You also taught me that the essence
Of Judaism is social justice
Of loving our neighbors as ourselves
You contributed to Israel
Even sent me on birthright
And you went on a tour there
But you hardly went to synagogue
On the high holidays
You wore your finest
But Suffered from fasting
And my bar mitzvah
Was only a right of passage
And an opportunity for a big blast
I went to the best college
Got good grades
Got a good job as a lawyer
Make a good salary
This was Jewish
Enough for both of us
I’m a caring and loving man and father
And I give to others as you taught me
My kids will determine their religion
Based upon their own choice
So what’s your complaint
Dad?
I’m proud of being Jewish.״
״Umm: I get you Josh
But
You forgot something
Or maybe I forgot to teach you
Its called ‘neshama’ in Hebrew and Yiddish
It’s the Jewish soul
It’s Jewish tears
It’s Jewish joy
It’s called a Jewish / Hebrew name
And Jewish pain
It’s the ‘high” a Jew gets from
Being with fellow Jews
It’s the “high” of Jewish accomplishments
It’s the ‘high” of latkes
And matza balls
And the joy of your son having a Brit!”
“It’s about loving Israel
As our land
Even when you dislike a policy “
“It’s about kiddush
And challah
And a mezuzah on your door
To distinguish yourself
From the other”
“But Dad
It’s different now
I’m a different kind of Jew!
But I’m Jewish through and through
My Judaism is evolving
It’s about justice
It’s about civil
Rights
It’s about “Tikun Olam”
It’s about struggling for the weak
And making America our homeland
Of freedom and justice for all.
It’s about criticizing Israel when it’s wrong
And even America.
I’m not a great believer
In a particular God
But I do believe in one God
For all. Isn’t that what
שמע ישראל teaches us?
I am a Jew
But a Jew of today
A Jew of values
I am the essence of Jew
I am the result of living in
An open society- Jew
I’m a ‘Don’t write me off Jew”
I’m a “please don’t sacrifice me Jew”
“On the alter of your loyalty Jew”
Maybe, dad, you don’t recognize
The Jew in me
Maybe dad, you don’t like this
But please listen to the angel of God
By holding back the knife
“Do not send your hand toward that child”
Because I’m the
New Jew
Both
New
And
Jew
“And the two of them walked on together”
וילכו שניהם יחדיו
