Ask JewishAmerica Archives
1996. 1997 - Volume I

12/20/96
Nobel Prize Winners

> Perhaps you could help me.
> One of my students asked which Nobel Prize Winners were Jews.
> Does anyone have a listing?
> Thank you.
> G.W.

The Encyclopedia Judaica (Jerusalem, 1971) and its yearbooks list Jewish Nobel Prize winners.

Also, check out http://www.dorledor.org/people.html

All the best from JewishAmerica

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1/25/97
Buying A Sefer Torah

> Shalom,
> My name is Grant Cousens and I am the treasurer and past president of a
> small, young congregation Mayim Shalom. We are located in a small rural
> area of Southwestern Oregan in the United States.
> We are looking for a Torah. We are hoping for a "spare" Torah but we may be able
> to afford to buy a used one. If you have any thoughts on who or whom we mayapproach
> it would be greatly appreciated. We would try to make contact in greater detail.
> Thank you for your time and consideration.
> Sincerely,
> grant@ harborside.com

Try Rabbi David Zelmanowitz, (908) 367-2264

All the best from JewishAmerica

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3/12/97
Pecentage Of Jews In America

> I was wondering whether there was some way I could find out what
> percentage Jews make up of America's population? My son is doing his
> project on America (he goes to Masada College in Sydney).
> I look forward to hearing from you.
> Regards
> L. H.

Check out

http://web.gc.cuny.edu/dept/cjstu/DEMHIG.HTM

Not able to say how current the data is but they have a nice breakdown.

All the best.from JewishAmerica

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3/13/97
Reenactment Of The Jewish Exodus

> My husband, who is a member of our local zionist group, is planning a
> reanactement of the Jewish Exodus to Israel (Palestine) in 1947. I believe
> the ship was the "SS President Warfield". If there is any information you
> can throw my way, it would be greatly appreciated.
> Sincerely yours,
> C. R.

I found a reference at http://www.jhsm.org/news/n_exodusModel.html

All the best from JewishAmerica

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3/19/97
The Jews As Chosen People

> I have a school assignment, and I wondered if you could help.
> One of the questions is:
> "Why do the Jews believe that G-d chose them to be his special people".
> I have searched various articles, some of which conflict.
> Thanks
> Ryan

The Jewish people received the Torah from G-d some thirty-three centuries ago.

There are numerous references in the Torah as to the Jewish people being the Chosen People. Get a copy of the Torah (an English bible) and look up the following:

Deuteronomy Chapter 7 verses 6-8
Deuteronomy Chapter 10 verse 15
Deuteronomy Chapter 14 verse 2

The Jewish (and many non-Jewish) people believe in the truth of the Torah.

Christianity began some twenty centuries ago. They adopted the Torah and called it the Old Testament.

It says in the Torah that G-d chose the Jewish people to be his special people. This then answers why the Jewish people believe that G-d chose them to be his special people.

This is such a distinction that many religions have claimed to be the heir to the title or legacy of the Jewish people.

This is a decision of G-d and it has generated much discussion throughout the ages.

It throws a great challange to the Jewish people. We must now meet a very high level of behavioral expectations. As with any honor, it has responsibility, costs, dangers, and rewards.

Chosing the Jewish people does NOT imply that people who are not Jewish are rejected. Judaism believes and teaches that non-Jews can achieve greatness and they can also get to Heaven. G-d loves all of his creations.

It may help you to check out our Tour of Jewish and World History. It starts out from JewishAmerica (http://www.JewishAmerica.com). In particular, the following pages are relevant:

http://www.jewishamerica.com/TimeLine/exodus.htm
http://www.jewishamerica.com/TimeLine/chosen.htm

All the best from JewishAmerica.

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3/28/97
Difference Between Orthodox and Chassidic Jews

>I have a school assignment, and I wondered if you could help.
>My name is Jordan and I live in Shorline Washington. I recently
>read the book The Chosen by Chaim Potok. I need information on the
>difference between Orthodox Jews and Hasiddic Jews. Mostly Hasiddic
>Jews. Also, could you please give us some information on Jewish
>music. I need to know what Jewish music is meant for, and etc.

This is quite a comprehensive assignment. Hope I can be of help.

You asked to know about the difference between Orthodox Jews and Hasiddic Jews.

Hasidic Jews are also known as Orthodox Jews. Jordan, what if I asked you to tell me about the difference between Americans who live in Washington and Americans who live in Shoreline, Washington? This is a similar type of question.

Let's understand and define the Torah, what is a Jew, Jewish behavior, what is a Jew who is Orthodox, and what is a Hasidic Jew.

For some thirty-three centuries now, mainstream Judaism has been teaching that the Torah was authored by G-d and that it was given by Him to the Jewish people. It contains instructions for living for both Jewish people and non-Jewish people.

Thirty-three centuries ago there were actually two Torahs given, The Written Torah (The Bible) and the Oral Torah. For more information on the Torah, see the Tour of Jewish And World History in http://www.JewishAmerica.com. See especially http://www.jewishamerica.com/TimeLine/exodus.htm

A Jew is someone who was either born to a Jewish mother or who converted to Judaism.

Actually, there is a third type of Jew, one who stood at Mount Sinai thirty-three hundred years ago when the Jewish people became Jewish. I don't remember meeting this third type of Jew.

The Oral Torah describes the process for conversion. Just like there is a formal process for becoming an American citizen, so is there a formal process for becoming a Jew.

Mainstream Judaism has always believed and taught that Jewish behavior and values can only be legitimately considered Jewish behavior and values when they are based upon and are consistent with both the Written and the Oral Torah.

It is hoped and expected that a person who is Jewish will also behave in a Jewish manner. Jews are people, too. Some do a better job of meeting this expectation than others.

Orthodox Jews formally subscribe to the values and behaviors that are in the Written and Oral Torah. In their life, the teachings of the Torah are as relevant in twentieth century as they had for the past thirty-three centuries. They are not subject to change. When G-d spoke on Mount Sinai, He meant us, too.

Through study and practice, Orthodox Jewry has found that the Torah provides meaning and strength in the twentieth century.

On the outside, life does appear to be different in 1997 than it was in 1497, or even 1987. Yet, on the inside we as human beings have not changed for almost six-thousand years. We believe that people were designed and created according to the Torah, not the reverse. Furthermore, the instructions for living within the Torah have great applicability to even our life as it appears on the outside. Innovations such as electricity and air travel have found their place within the principles of Torah guidelines.

Therefore, to be a fully practicing (Orthodox) Jew, one must be knowledgeable in the Torahs or one must have access to some someone knowledgeable in the Torahs when he has questions about values or behaviors.

About two centuries ago, movements began which taught that Jewish people have the right to change the Torah. Some said that the guidelines that the Torah provide are no longer binding. Others said that they were binding but people have the right to freely interpret them and do just about whatever they want.

I have researched this and I have not been able to see any basis for these teachings from within the Torah. Apparently, the founders of these movements took it upon themselves to make up these approachs. They just felt that they were right or that these teachings were best for the Jewish people. The movements have since spread. Today, many if not most people who are Jewish are not affiliated with a Jewish religious-related movement of any kind. Of those who are affiliated, most are affiliated with these types of movement.

I thus refer to Orthodox Jewry as mainstream Jewry because the values and behavior that they subscribe to have a basis within the Torah and they can be traced back all the way to Mount Sinai.

In general, the Jewish people have always been a minority. They are subject to losing their identity and awareness of being Jewish. This is called assimilation.

We are very concerned about assimilation. It's not a good thing to become extinct. Most Jews are either assimilated or they are at risk of becoming assimilated.

Mainstream Jewry is currently in the minority. Tragically, over the next few hundred years the groups who are not part of the mainstream appear to be headed for extinction as a Jewish-called entity. Their intermarriage rates range from 37 percent to seventy-two percent. Also, they have negative population rates which range from 1.82 to 1.62 children per family. See http://www.jewishamerica.com/inmemory.htm. This has precedence. Spain is today a fine and devoutly Catholic country. Over ninety-percent of the people living in Spain have roots of Jewish origin.

So, if Hasidim are Orthodox Jews, what is a person who is Orthodox and not a Hassid?

As stated above, Orthodox Jewry subscribe to the behaviors and values in the Torah. Again, it is the hope and expectation that all Orthodox Jews will behave in accordance to the Torah.

The Torah does provide some guidelines regarding dress. However, the Torah does not say that you must dress in a long black coat and a fur hat, as we see Hassidim do. There are areas within which a person is free to do things, as long as they make sense and fit within the Torah's general framework. (Again, some things are specifically defined.)

In general, Hassidim have adopted during the past and current century certain mannerisms, customs, and approaches to life that they feel are necessary to insulate them and their families from the dangers of assimilation. They seek to preserve the Jewish way of life and are doing so at a seemingly heroic cost.

You may find them shy and they may provide an impression of keeping to themselves. I have known them to be very caring and warm, just wonderful people.

This does not imply that those who are not Hassidim are not careful or don't care about assimilation. All responsible (Orthodox) Jews do take whatever precautions necessary to preserve their heritage.

It's just that the Hassidim have the opinion that their way is best and safest. For people who are born into Hassidic families, it probably is.

The Hassidic movement was founded in the eighteenth century by a great Rabbi. He proposed that certain things should be emphasized, like preparation for prayer, joy in life, and daily ritual immersions.

Hassidic Jews typically are clustered around a leader and mentor, their Rebbie. There are many groups and Rebbies.

This movement has shown itself to be fully consistent with the both the Written and the Oral Torahs. It has provide great warmth and meaning for hundreds of thousands of Jews and it has probably saved a great many Jewish people from the perils of assimilation.

Intermarriage within the Hassidic community is almost non-existent. The general Orthodox community follows a close second.

So, a person who is Orthodox and not Hassidic is simply a person who subscribes to the values and behaviors that are in the Written and Oral Torah but he/she has not adopted the mannerisms and customs of Hassidic Jewry.

Unfortunately, Orthodox Jewry and in particular Hassidic Jewry have not been understood by the general press. Their image has at times been distorted by the press and they have been taken advantage of to provide sensational headlines, all at the expense of Jewish unity and welfare.

As far as Jewish music is concerned, I can think of three classes or sources of music.

The first is prescribed by the Torah.

A long time ago the Jewish people had a wonderful Temple in Jerusalem where they were privileged to bring offerings to G-d. Jewish people from the tribe of Levy were assigned the responsibility and privilege of singing and playing instruments during the service.

It has been over nineteen centuries since we had a Temple. Alas, the tunes and instruments are lost. We just have the words. They are in the Book of Psalms.

The second type of music is that which has been adopted or created by the Jewish people and has been set to words of the Bible or religious poetry. The Hassidic movement emphasized joy and they sing, maybe a bit more than Jews who are not Hassidic.

This second type of music is meant to be a form of praising G-d. It may also serve to give people a pick-me-up and provide quality in their life and Jewish behavior, through happiness.

In my house we sing songs during the Shabbos (Sabbath) meals and we are not Hassidic.

A third type of music is a recent innovation. I'll call it electronic music.

It may be of the same style as some of the non-Jewish music you hear on the radio. It may be a recording of the second type of Jewish music. It may be neither. It may be of Jewish content or style but it was made up for the electronic media. Some people have criticized this third type of music and have said that does not sound Jewish. Some of this type of music certainly does sound like that which you may hear at a rock concert.

This third type of music is meant primarily for entertainment, although many entertainers mean it to be a form of praising G-d, too. As with the second type of Jewish music, it may also serve to give people a pick-me-up and provide quality in their life and Jewish behavior, through happiness.

I hope that will be of help to you.

All the best from Jewish America.

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3/30/97
Haftorah

>I am doing a haftorah report for my Hebrew School. I would like to know
>if you could send me stuff about the haftorah of May 16, 1998.
>
>Thank You
>Eric

Sorry Eric, but we don't receive the material from the author until the week of the Haftorah.

Does your synagogue have a library? Perhaps there is material there. Look up the text of the Haftora in an English Bible. Perhaps the bible has commentaries. I could recommend a book to buy if you have a budget for purchasing books.

All the best from JewishAmerica.

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3/31/97
Gordon And Horowitz Study

>Where can I find the results of the Gordon & Horowitz 1994 study that
>you quoted on your web site? Was it published in any journals or on any
>web sites, or is there an organization which might provide copies?
>
>Thanks,
>D Kerchner

The study and the chart were referenced in the December 1996 issue of the Jewish Observer, page 14.

The Jewish Observer is published by Agudath Israel of America and is edited by Rabbi Nisson Wolpin. Their phone number is 212 797-9000, fax 269-2843.

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