martillo@ihuxt.UUCP (Yehoyaqim Martillo) (07/12/84)
I am surprised that the media keep calling Diane Feinstein Jewish. Most of her public statements show that she would not know a Jewish idea or value even if it were to run up and bite her on the ankle. She has no involvement in anything Jewish. And unless she has converted (which I doubt), she is not Jewish because her parentage is not Jewish. -- Who wouldn't break for whales? Yehoyaqim Shemtob Martillo
dcs@homxa.UUCP (D.SIMEN) (07/12/84)
"...her parentage is not Jewish." -- Y. Martillo How do you know? (Not a challenge, just a question.) David ben Mord'kai Simen ...!houxm!homxa!dcs
harry@ucbvax.UUCP (Harry I. Rubin) (07/16/84)
Your definition of Jewish is obviously very different from "The Media's." Your's seems to be either or both of (a) acknowledges and acts in accordance with Jewish values or (b) Halachically Jewish, that is, mother is Jewish; I can't tell from your article which you mean. "The Media" probably go by something like (a) self and/or parents call themselves Jewish, and/or (b) has or had some contact with Jewish institutions at some point in life (Jewish school, attended or at least belonged to a synagogue/temple, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Jewish wedding, ...). Regardless of the Halachic, moral, or philosophical issues involved, the fact is that "The Media" does label Di Fi as Jewish, therefore the general populace considers her Jewish, therefore her conduct, both political and personal, reflects on the Jewish people in general. If memory serves, Di Fi does call herself Jewish. Are we or anyone else going to tell her "No, you are not Jewish and you cannot call yourself Jewish??" Point the third: looks like this is leading to a discussion of "who is a Jew," so I'll get my two cents worth in early. (Flame on.) I would like to say that a Jew is any person who calls themselves a Jew, who throws in their lot with the Jewish people. We may hope that all such persons will take this membership or committment seriously and make the effort to learn something about Judaism (theology, ritual, morals and values, etc., etc.; any and all) and better yet, to practice some of what they learn. However, while this is desirable, it is not necessary in order to consider the person in question a Jew. I know this is not the Halachic rule, but consider the following case: a Jewish man marries a non-Jewish woman (I disapprove, but many people seem to do it anyway), she does not formally convert, they belong to a very Reform synagogue, participate slightly (attend services, say, half a dozen times in a year), have a slightly Jewish household (don't keep kosher, do observe Chanuka, maybe have or attend a Seder), but consider themselves a Jewish family and give themselves out as such. The children get very little Jewish education but consider themselves Jewish. Now, I do not want to accept a definition of who is a Jew which leaves these children out. I know that their mother is not Jewish; I know that they are not learned or observant Jews. Never-the-less, they are Jewish. They may or may not someday become more learned or more observant; yet they are Jewish. Their congregation considers them Jewish. The world at large considers them Jewish. They consider themselves Jewish. How can anyone tell them that they are not Jewish? (Flame off.) (Flamers please note: I do not mean to disparage Reform Jews or the Reform movement. There are many sincere, learned, and observant people who are Reform. There is a Reform philosophy which merits discussion. However, there are also people who are Reform Jews because for them "Reform Judaism" means "minimal Judaism." It is such a case I have tried to draw above. Please hold off flames about the merits of Reform Judaism for another time. Thanks.) Harry I. Rubin (harry@berkeley, ...!ucbvax!harry)
smb@ulysses.UUCP (Steven Bellovin) (07/16/84)
Feinstein does indeed consider herself Jewish. In fact, she was asked if she considered that a factor in Mondale's choice of Ferrarro over her; she said she did not know.