We learned about an interesting phenomena last week; The tendency that one might assume that their way of being Jewish, of looking Jewish, is the default, so much so that the "Jewish-ness" of someone who looks or acts differently is put into question.
Here is the full description, altered slightly:
The systemic, communal and/or individual belief that one's heritage, culture and religious practice is the default for Jewish identity. This allows for people to make assumptions about others, causing other types of Jews and non-Jews to be othered and marginalized in Jewish spaces.
Last week, we were asked if anyone has experienced, or seen an occurrence of this. Did anything come to mind for any of you that you did not have a chance to share?
Take a look at this article published in The Forward about an incident that occurred in 2018:
https://forward.com/news/414373/black-jew-swarmed-by-hasidic-mob-for-carrying-a-torah-while-not-white/
How might some of what we spoke about last week be in play with Yehuda's experience?
Below are a number of verses from throughout the Hebrew Bible which express an important idea that, I believe, if we keep at the forefront of our mind, will ensure that such things do not happen in our communities, and that people of all backgrounds feel welcome.
Read through them with a havruta. Then find one that resonates particularly powerfully with you. Copy and paste it to our Padlet, add a picture, and type in a sentence or two why it stood out.
(26) And God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness!"
(17) For the LORD your God is God supreme and Lord supreme, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who shows no favor and takes no bribe,
(18) Love your fellow as yourself: I am the LORD.