NCSY Articles
{page_title}The Jew(ess) Still Speaks{/page_title}
The Jew(ess) Still Speaks
April 05, 2012
By: Malkie Krieger
A well-publicized scandal recently emerged among the religious population of Jews in America. On February 14, Deborah Feldman, a former Hasidic Jew, released a book she has authored about her struggles within her personal religious lifestyle. In an interview she conducted with the New York Post, she discusses why she chose to denounce all of Judaism’s tenets and about how she is now living a completely secular lifestyle in New York City. While some Jews were shocked and appalled by this intimate testimony, others began to think about what it is in fact that drives Jews today to continue growing in their religiosity, and to remain connected to their heritage and legacy even in these trying times of discordance and confusion.
A few days before the article about Ms. Feldman’s story was published and her new book was released to the public, another story arose in the news that received much less hype and media attention. This story released by The Washington Post involves a high school senior, Caleb Tanenbaum, who lives in Maryland. Caleb chose to embrace his Judaism by wearing his kippa to his public school classes. He wanted to exhibit his faith and growing pride in his religion in a more public fashion; however, he almost got suspended for doing so. Caleb’s principal did not realize the significance of his kippa and its deeper meaning- he even required a letter from Caleb’s rabbi explaining why he should be allowed to continue to wear the kippa that his mother had knit for him. Even though it was difficult for Caleb to be the only religiously clad student in his public school, and although he encountered difficulties from his school principal, he still chose to embrace it. In an interview I personally conducted with Caleb, he mentioned that he was consumed with pride at this opportunity to stand up for his rights and for his religion. While Caleb’s story was one of dignity, love, and dedication, Deborah Feldman’s was one of anger, frustration, and discontent.
Both stories are true. Both stories address struggles in personal religious observances and feelings of unsettledness. Caleb’s story expressed positivity and life, depicting the growing force that Judaism is today, as well as his pride and dedication towards fulfilling this act. Struggling with religious observance, yet determining how to best strive for and reach one’s goals, is a much more realistic interpretation of Jews in America today than the way that Ms. Feldman’s story represents. Deborah Feldman’s story is one that is rarely found and heard about, and is harder to come upon; perhaps that is why it received so much publicity and media.
The state of Judaism in America is one that is tough to truly account for. While some Jews are deserting their faith, there are also so many thousands who are becoming more interested and involved in their observance on a daily basis. In my experience working with Jewish teenagers in the youth movement known as NCSY, teenagers are seeking inspiration and truth. The youth I work with are passionate and committed Jews, with unique thoughts and minds of their own. If they don’t like something they hear, they speak up. If they are not comfortable with a certain situation, they say so. In the work I do, I do not encounter apathetic and abundant negative experiences to the point of teens being turned off and denying their faith. Just like Caleb, the teens I see are infused with Jewish pride. They come back from our programming with a new zest and enthusiasm for life and their faith. When they enter their public schools Monday morning, they do so with a concrete feeling concerning their Jewish identity and heritage. The disinterestedness and lack of pride evident in Deborah Feldman’s story is not evident amongst the youth I work with. Her story is unique, one that is not often heard about because as a whole the worldwide Jewish community is making an effort to educate and inspire in a more meaningful way so that teenagers will be touched on a personal level.
Judaism today is not a dying force with people disappearing at every turn. It is very much alive and vibrant- stories like Caleb’s are just the beginning. The enthusiasm, pride and vivacity felt in any group of NCSYer’s is tangible. The teenagers feel it, notice it, and react positively to this truth, passion and honesty. So all of you NCSYer’s or NCSY advisors out there- don’t get discouraged. The work and effort you put in is real, and with God’s help, you will continue to see the fruit of your painstaking actions in a fulfilling, productive and meaningful way.
Malkie Krieger is a junior in Stern College for Women. She is an advisor at NCSY and works in the National Office of the Orthodox Union, which NCSY is an affiliate of.
Sources Used and Articles Referenced
http://m.nypost.com/p/entertainment/was_hasidic_jew_but_broke_free_IeRSVA4eX8ypg4Ne8cBdSK
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/can-judaism-be-cool-enough-for-a-new-generation/2012/02/08/gIQAtV7bzQ_story.html
http://wheaton-md.patch.com/articles/kippah-wearing-student-told-to-prove-religion