Re: [ha-Safran]: Defining what is Jewish
--- Jeff Corbett [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It seems to me that the Jewish people who I have spoken to, at least where I am, DO NOT include Hebrew Christians or Jews for Jesus people as Jewish. == Jews for Jesus is actually an organization of paid, professional missionaries - one of many Christian missions to the Jews. Hebrew Christians or Messianic Jews are Christians, believers in Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, his death as vicarious atonement for sin, and so on. They clothe themselves in the outer trappings of Judaism (light Sabbath candles, say some prayers in Hebrew, wear kippot) to attract Jews and to convince Jews of the notion that we can accept Yeshua/Jesus without abandoning our Jewish identity. Which we cannot, anymore than a vegetarian can eat beef and still be a vegetarian. Andrea Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: Defining what is Jewish
A Jew for Jesus, Messianic Jew or Hebrew Christian are all names for Christian sects. They are Evangelical Christians whose mission is to convert Jews to Christianity. I understand that in most of these congregations the majority of the members never were Jews. (The Rabbi always has a very Jewish name.) They are supported financially by Southern Baptist Churches, Assmblies of God Churches and other groups as part of their missions programs. Several years ago I had an issue with our local newspaper who listed them as Jewish Congregations rather than under Christian Congregations. They always have big ads several weeks befor Rosh Hashanah offering Free Tickets for the High Holidays. They tend to prey on seniors, Russian immigrants, college students and others whose knowledge of Judaism is minimal and their pocketbooks slim. Watch out for this in your local papers come the fall. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: Defining What is Jewish
Regarding the comments of Mr. Wise, Sensitivity for philosophy and outlook should exist on both the right and left side of the aisle. Mr. Wise is absolutely correct. The sad reality is that many librarians fear that some books are too religious, for their libraries G-d forbid. Building on the logic of the numerous comments to Mr. Wise's initial email... Just as Jewish families may have members that contain intermarriage, gay people, etc., -- the exponential growth of the Baali Teshuva movement means that tens of thousands of Jewish families now also have Orthodox sons, daughters, grandchildren, parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, etc. Therefore it follows that if libraries are REALLY concerned about representing their member's needs in order to understand the particulars within their families better, then books of an Orthodox nature should also be included in their collection development strategies. The sad reality is it seems like Orthodox perspective books are quickly excluded from purchasing decisions simply because they are Orthodox and perceived as too religious G-d forbid--without any further consideration. Sarah Field Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Defining what is Jewish
It seems to me that the Jewish people who I have spoken to, at least where I am, DO NOT include Hebrew Christians or Jews for Jesus people as Jewish. Is this assessment universal? Thanks. Jeff Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
[ha-Safran]: Defining What is Jewish
I agree that we are not to judge what is appropriately Jewish in general. Am I to understand there is no basic definition in AJL for what is appropriately Jewish. If this is the case what is purpose of the organization and the book recommendations it makes? People look to a professional organization for standards of what to purchase. It is true that each institution collects according to its individual guidelines, but are we to say that AJL has no guidelines? Is the purpose of the AJL to be a clearinghouse for anything and everything without regard to cultural and religious ramifications? AJL serves a wide spectrum of Jewish institutions and philosophies, are we now facing the same battle as the outside world for the heart and soul of Jewish literature? It is very disturbing that a professional librarian who may look to AJL for advice and suggestions has to practice, let the buyer beware. Many of the comments to my post clearly show that AJL is not an even playing field. Sensitivity for philosophy and outlook should exist on both the right and left side of the aisle. Eliezer M. Wise Library Director Tuttleman Library of Gratz College [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: Defining What is Jewish
--- Eli Wise [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Am I to understand there is no basic definition in AJL for what is appropriately Jewish? I checked the Mission Goals section of the AJL website. Under Mission : The Association fosters access to information, learning, teaching and research relating to Jews, Judaism, the Jewish experience and Israel. [Jews, Judaism and the Jewish experience are undefined] Under Goals : 4. Facilitate and encourage establishment of Judaica library collections. [Judaica library collection is undefined] So, I think the answer is No, Eli, there is no basic definition in AJL of what is appropriately Jewish. Hypothetically, Eli, what definition would you recommend for us to adopt? Steven M. Bergson, Librarian Jewish Public Library of Toronto Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Defining what is Jewish
Hevre, The title Kaddish for Grandpa in the Name of Jesus Amen is most unfortunate - I can't understand how an editor allowed it - but the book in no way encourages intermarriage. On the contrary, it supports conversion. The father in the book converted to Judaism. He is Jewish. He is a partner in a Jewish marriage, not an intermarriage. I assume that if the author and editor had titled the book Two Services for Grandpa, it would be easier to buy. Marga * Marga Hirsch 175 Upland Terrace Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 610.668.9485 Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Defining what is Jewish
Dear friends: I agree with Liza, that we are not to judge what is appropriately Jewish, in general. For our institutions, however, that is another story. Thus, while I might not purchase the In Jesus Name, Amen for my library, others might. I would not purchase books that encourage intermarriage either. But I work in a Conservative Synagogue, and we have to abide by the minhag of our sect of Judaism. Thus, it would be according to the acquisition guidelines set by the library committee/rabbi/librarian, or whoever in the institutions makes those decisions. Cheryl Banks Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
