COMMUNITY VIEWS

Popping A Bubble

RACHEL WRIGHT
Special to the Jewish News

fili I look forward to continuing

the journey of Judaism as I
venture into the world of
adulthood."
With that statement, I ended my
speech at my Hebrew high school
graduation from Congregation
Shaarey Zedek. I meant it, too. There
was no doubt in my mind that reli-
gion would be an important part of
my college career.
With a night to go before I was to
move to my new home in East Lans-
ing, I remember lying awake, well
aware that life existed outside of the
bubble of West Bloomfield, my
hometown. I was ready to meet peo-
ple with different backgrounds, and I
was excited to share my own. Grow-
ing up in a primarily Jewish neigh-
borhood did not prepare me for what
was soon to come in college. Sure, I
had non-Jewish friends (my best
friend is Christian), and because of
the area [we lived in], I think she
could have recited the Four Ques-
tions in Hebrew.
But I was not ready for the igno-
rance at college — more important-

Rachel Wright, a Michigan State Uni-
versity freshman and West Bloomfield
High School graduate, is in the pre-
medicine program at MSU, double
majoring in nutritional science and
journalism.

ly, I was not ready to have to defend
my beliefs.
Rooming blind, I was pretty certain
I would not have a Jewish person liv-
ing with me. Upon meeting her, she
knew immediately that I was Jewish,
and was not afraid to show it. At first,
all was well, and she even seemed curi-
ous about the traditions of Jewish peo-
ple. To my surprise, she wanted to
come home with me for Rosh
Hashana dinner, to which my family
welcomed her with open arms. As she
asked questions, my family would
answer happily, and in no way did
they try to press our beliefs onto her.
With the sharing of ideas and beliefs, I
thought the evening was a success. I
did not realize who I thought was a
friend had ulterior motives.
"I knew your family had to be nice,
and they really are," she said, follow-
ing dinner that night. "My mom
explained why the Jews are nice peo-
ple.
Shocked that she had referred to
my family as "the Jews" made me have
to ask: "And why is that?"
"Because the Jews don't want
another World War II."
Not shy, I immediately asked her if
she understood what she had just said
to me. I explained that by her com-
ment, she implied that the Jewish peo-
ple have understood that World War
II was in direct correlation to our
behavior; now we better shape up and
act nice to non-Jews.
Well, my Jewish friends, our secret

) 1

is out. They know what we are up to.
This event was a true blow to the
head. Smaller events happened
through the course of the semester as
well. For some reason, she could never
pronounce Hillel. If I had a meeting
there, she would call it "that Jewish
place." Needless to say, I had a new
roommate the following semester.

But I was not
ready for the
ignorance at
college — more
importantly, I was
not ready to have
to defend my
beliefs.

My next roommate was a different
story. She was a Born Again Christian
and very active in the Christian pro-
grams at Michigan State University. A
lot of my Jewish friends were weirder;
I was not even nervous about living
with someone so religious. But I saw it
as a good thing. We had more in corn-
mon than many people saw. Both of

us were into our own religion, not (Z\
afraid to discuss it and what it meant
to us. Because of this roommate, I
understand that not all people are
ignorant.
This time around, things were a
lot different. When she asked ques-
tions about our religion, she really
was curious what the answers would
be. We spent many late nights just
talking about religion, mostly about
Judaism. I amazed myself at what I
really did learn at Hebrew school,
and I am now ready to thank my par-
ents for sending me.
My first year in college taught me
that there was more to being Jewish
than having a bar or bat mitzvah, and
believing what my parents believed. I
have been able to create my own defi-
nition for what it means to be Jewish;
you can't get that from fighting your
parents and losing to go to Monday
night school.
"You are not required to finish the
work; neither are you free to desist from
it." (Mishnah Avot 2:21).
Judaism is an ongoing experience.
And to really understand it takes a lor-/
of effort. For me, I had to understand
and accept other religions. Granted,
when my roommate hung up six pic-
tures of Jesus on her bulletin board, I
got a little uncomfortable (quite
frankly, I thought at times he was
looking at me), but, thanks to Jewish
star cling-ons (yes — they stick to my
window!), life is good.

LETTERS

ity as Jewish Americans and proud
Zionists. The Agency for Jewish
Education of Metropolitan Detroit
has assumed responsibility for bring-
ing together most of the Jewish
community in this observance. For
the first time in 4,000 years, a chief
of state has recognized and acknowl-
edged the major contributions made
by the Jewish people. It is imperative
that this is recognized every year to
reinforce the pride that young peo-
ple will have in recognizing that
everyone who is Jewish is linked by
a golden thread to a fabulous her-
itage.
One of the most important roles
that we have played is we have pro-
vided the means for unity for the
diverse attitudes of the platforms of
the organizations, synagogues and

5/7
1999

temple. Through presenting forums,
scholar-in-residence and monthly
meetings, there was the facility to
come together and exchange discus-
sions that in many ways seemed irrec-
oncilable.
So, now we say farewell and
extend our wishes for continued
strength in Zionism and the love of
the Jewish homeland, Israel.
Ann Barnett, President
American Zionist Movement/Michigan
Region

All Persecution
Causes Suffering

Thank you for having the courage to
address the comments and quotes

regarding Kosovo in Alan Hitsky's
Editor's Notebook ("Myopia Extends
Beyond The Serbs," April 16).
I thought I was really losing it
when I heard and read the same and
similar comments. But because I
myself hadn't actually and physically
gone through the Holocaust any-
where but in my mind all these many
years, I felt I had no right to say any-
thing to anyone about any of it.
Whenever there is one of these
"minor holocausts" anywhere on
earth, my heart, my mind and my
soul are wrenched to shreds for those
who are suffering so terribly, be it
one or hundreds or thousands or mil-
lions — even though the imagination
can't even begin to compare with the
horrible reality.
However, sometimes it seems as if

there are those who would make a
"Golden Calf" out of the 6 Million,
and cherish it and worship it and
protect it from any comparisons. I
can understand that. I don't blame
them. Even the Holy One Himself
said they went too far and they're
going to pay for it.
Nevertheless, as you say, "We dis-
honor our own humanity, the Judaism
we supposedly profess and the God to,
Whom we pray."
I also agree with the letter to the
editor sent in by Greg Thrasher of
West Bloomfield "Mixed Signals
Being Sent," April 16). All of us must
"continue to battle the evils of hate in
our world."

Phyllis Stroh
Grand Rap itc./