Running Head: MINI ASSIGNMENT C: CULTURAL IMMERSION

Mini Assignment C
Cultural Immersion Experiences: Judaism
John Burroughs
Georgia State University

Running Head: MINI ASSIGNMENT C: CULTURAL IMMERSION

Cultural Immersion Experiences: Judaism

The Holocaust is the first thing that comes to mind when speaking about the Jewish
people, with images of emaciated people taken to death camps. Members of the Jewish faith
have many stereotypes, including hoarding money, the Jewish mother who makes her family feel
guilty, and the privileged teen referred to as a Jewish American Princess. Some Christians also
refer to them as Christ killers (Starr, 2013). I do not have any personal biases of this group,
and had several Jewish friends growing up who shared their beliefs and traditions with me.
Media representation seems to perpetuate the common stereotypes mentioned. Mass media
commonly stereotypes Jews as incredibly wealthy, cheap, mean, immoral or unethical. Examples
of these stereotypes can be in many forms of media, from The Big Bang Theorys unscrupulous
Howard Wolowitz to the deviant Andy Botwin of Weeds. Jews are often portrayed as in control
of the worlds mass media and as using media to spread religious propaganda48 million
Americans believe that Jews are in control of the worlds mass media (Media Smarts, 2014).
I am sympathetic to the Jewish community, but wanted to learn more about their heritage
and culture. The Jewish individuals I have associated with feel oppressed and often voice how
difficult it is for members of their faith. I wanted to find out why this seems to be a commonly
held belief and looked up the history. Research shows that there were more than 80 expulsions of
Jews from European countries between 250 A.D and 1948 A.D. (Judaism Online, 2014).
Packouz (2014) states, Anti-Semitism is unique amongst the hatreds in the world in a
combination of four aspects: 1) Longevity -- it's been around a long time 2) Universality -virtually everywhere in the world 3) Intensity -- it's expressed in a particularly virulent manner 4)
Confusion -- there is surprisingly little agreement on why people hate the Jews. This supports
what members of the Jewish community have voicedthat they are treated very differently from
the dominant groups of society. Shore (2010) lists the historical reasons for hatred of the Jews: 1)
they possess too much wealth and power; 2) they arrogantly claim they are the chosen people; 3)
they are a convenient group to single out and blame for all the troubles; 4) they killed Jesus; 5)
they are different than the rest of society; 6) they are an inferior race.
To better understand this culture, I spent time with three generations of a Jewish family.
Brad and Hannah Covert are a young, married couple currently expecting their first child. Brads
mother, Patti, and her father, David Sherman, also agreed to be interviewed. Hannah has had the
unique experience of working as a teacher in public schools, and now at a private Jewish school.
She states the environments are completely different. The Jewish students are allowed to make
more choices and are given more freedom. For instance, if they need to go to the bathroom, they
do not need to askthey just get up and leave the room. Hannah said that a minimum of two
hours a day are dedicated to a Jewish education, including Hebrew, Jewish studies, and Jewish
music. Three times a week the entire school meets for prayer. She also states the parents are
much more supportive than those of her students in public school.
All three generations agreed that what makes their culture special are the traditions and
camaraderie. David talked about his mother going to a shop to buy a chicken every Friday to
make soup that they ate with challah bread. You could bring anyone home you wanted. It was
about sharing, about family (Sherman, personal communication, 2014). Hannah and Brad have
decided that every Friday will be family night. As their son grows up, they said no matter what
plans need to be worked around, they will eat as a family and spend time together each Friday.
Patti feels that the traditions are even more important than the actual religion. Brad also stated
that he does not believe 9 out of 10 stories in the Old Testament, but feels they are important to

Running Head: MINI ASSIGNMENT C: CULTURAL IMMERSION

teach right from wrong. They also agree there is camaraderie among members of their faith, and
David shared several stories where he was invited to the homes of strangers to share in their meal
or holiday. They also state that members of their faith prefer doing business with other Jews,
which gives them a feeling of acceptance. Patti stated, Youre a member of a tribe (P. Covert,
personal communication, 2014).
David is 77 years old and was anxious to share his history. When asked if he has
experienced oppression and discrimination, his answer was, Always (Sherman, personal
communication, 2014). He told the story of how his grandfather was part of the expulsion from
Russia in the early 1900s. His family hid in their basement for days before setting off for Vienna
with what belongings they could carry. He said Jews used to keep a little blue box at home for
contributions to help others get to America. When his grandfather arrived at Ellis Island, his
name was changed from Kavetski to Sherman. David talked about growing up in New Jersey
where there were not many Jews. It was mostly first generation Germans and first generation
Italians, so I always had a conflict (Sherman, personal communication, 2014). David said he
was the target for many fights, but that he was always blamed for starting them. He stated that
growing up then was different because World War II had just ended and 6 million Jews had died.
David also had to make many choices between activities and his faith. He describes not being
able to join Boy Scouts because the meetings were on Friday nights, when he observed Shabbat.
As a young man, he was in a barber shop quartet that was nationally ranked. However, when
they scheduled performances on Jewish holidays and refused to change them, David felt he had
no option but to quit.
Brad agreed that observing the Jewish holidays was the biggest issue for him growing up.
While in high school, he missed a football practice to go to temple for Yom Kippur, the holiest
day of the year. That week he was benched during the game because of the missed practice,
despite being a starting linebacker. His mother reminded him that she was the one who insisted
he go to temple for the holiday. We are such a minority. If I didnt say stand up and tell you to
be proud of who you are, you would have played (P. Covert, personal communication, 2014).
Brad took offense to the pre-game prayers at school sporting events. Every time they would say,
In the name of Jesus Christ--I just wished one time that they would make my beliefs as
important (B.Covert, personal communication, 2014). Brad also wore his keepah (traditional
head covering) to school at times. He said most people just had questions about it, but he did get
teased by some. While wearing it in a restaurant recently, a woman said he was wearing horns.
Patti said in her day there were more anti-Semitic actions and believes there are still many
disparities today. Im not mad that Hobby Lobby doesnt sell menorahs--Im hurt, because I
would like to be able to take my grandchildren and say lets paint a menorah, just like you could
with a Christmas wreath (P. Covert, personal communication, 2014).
When I asked them how people, and particularly social workers, could be more sensitive
to the Jewish community, they said to be more sensitive of Shabbat. They also said there are
several offensive words people use, equivalent to the n word for African-Americans. Patti
explained that the term Jew is offensive to her when used by someone outside of their faith.
They call one another a Jew, but others should not use that terminology.
Hearing about the oppression that this family has faced helped me better understand some
of the comments I have heard from those of Jewish faith. The history and extent of oppression
has left scars on current generations. This is important to remember as a social worker, because it
is true with other cultures as well. The pain that any groups feel from their past or present
treatment must be recognized and understood in order to be sympathetic to their needs.

Running Head: MINI ASSIGNMENT C: CULTURAL IMMERSION

References
Media Smarts (2014). Media portrayals of religion: Judaism. Retrieved from
http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/religion/media-portrayals-religion-judaism
Packouz, K. (2014). The reason for anti-Semitism. Retrieved from
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/reason-for-anti-semitism.htm
Shore, R. (2010). Why the Jews. Retrieved from http://www.aish.com/sem/wtj/82875402.html
Starr, B. (2013). Christ killers: The hidden agenda. Huffington Post. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bernard-starr/christ-killers-the-hidden_b_3463252.html