12.18.11 The Epic Times Article, presale begins

While I haven't had time to even properly skim the thread, so I apologize if this has been said, a large part of "Jewishness" is really cultural more than religious, and for this none of the religious distinctions matter. Culturally, a large part of Jewishness has to do with humor, and certain kinds of qwetching (complaining) and guilt (very similar to catholicisms cultural roles in this way), and also certain values, such as education and family. (needless to say, these are all total generalizations which have as many exceptions as examples, and of course there are plenty of non-Jews who fit these stereotypes just as well.). But because of the strong cultural element, there can be Jews who are very secular and totally non-believing who are nevertheless "extremely Jewish.". Woody Allen comes to mind as a strong example of this.

Adam calls himself a "diet-Jew" by which I suspect he means he barely practices (perhaps a holiday or two growing up) and doesnt believe at all. But the very designation he used to explain that (diet-Jew) and the tone with which he said it in that interview had strong elements of cultural jewishness (self-depricating humor and sarcasm), if that makes any sense. There are certainly elements of Adams talkiness and humor ("my dreidel spins the other way") that speak of his ethnic-religious heritage through his mother, as do many of his facial expressions, and they would be part of his"Jewishness" even if he celebrated Xmas faithfully every year. Does any of this make sense?

Btw, to further confuse things, categories are quite fuzzy IMO. I certainly identify as a Jew--a firmly atheistic Jew--but many of my fellow Jews would not recognize me as such, despite my having been bat mitzvahed as a teen and having gone to (reform) synagogue for the big holidays growing up, etc, because my mother is not Jewish. Why was I raised Jewish? Because my German Lutheran grandparents on my mothers side didn't care, but my American Jewish grandparents on my fathers side definitely did. In fact, we kids being raised Jewish was the only thing that reconciled them to my fathers marrying a non Jew (and a German non-Jew no less--very difficult for their generation!). But you can't win:My husband is a secular Jew and he in turn has gotten some shit from his more religious relatives for marrying a "non-Jew"--me.


ETA: obviously totally speculating here, but I would be extremely surprised If Adam had any problems with the thought of celebrating Christmas with Sauli's family. Don't see why watching and good-naturedly participating in his partner's culture and celebrations would threaten his Jewishness. I'm sure if he doesn't go to Finland it's all because of the Adam-storm and not at all because of Christmas!

[Puts on a Catskills accent]

Vat?

Dey didn't insist that you convert your non-Jewish Jewish hienie into a more Jewish Jew?

Found on twitter

RT sherylteo: Gd morning! Found new pics... has everyone seen these?!! tinyurl.com/73g2kf9

I'm afraid some of their heinie's are Jewish enough (we're talkin SERIOUS, wig-wearing, payos-twirling Jews here :D) that there was nothing I could have done to satisfy (not even call my mother more) even had I wanted to. However, my hubby's spectacular, 101 yr old Austrian grandmother who barely escaped the holocaust and lost her whole family (terrible) happily gabs in German to me, which never ceases to amaze me. She is a force of nature.