"Or did it just mean that many secular Jewish-Americans in the 1930s saw the “American” part of their identity as much more important than the “Jewish” part?"
This was my parents’ experience. First generation American Jews for whom assimilation was paramount, and secularism flowed from that. My father was a bomber pilot for the Americans in WW2, proud of his service for his country. He honored his Jewish heritage through Jewish culture, particularly borscht-belt humor of the Mel Brooks/Carl Reiner/Tom Lehrer/Allan Sherman/Henny Youngman variety. He was proud to be Jewish, even if he didn’t care for religion.
Agree that all the “self-hating” stuff is nonsense, particularly when it comes from other Jews--mostly pro-Israel ones--who try to shame you into going along with brutality.
Very thought-provoking as usual. Funny that we don't hear about self-hating Armenians, Sikhs, Hmong, etc. Or just self-hating people (i.e., everyone, to some extent) for that matter.
"Or did it just mean that many secular Jewish-Americans in the 1930s saw the “American” part of their identity as much more important than the “Jewish” part?"
This was my parents’ experience. First generation American Jews for whom assimilation was paramount, and secularism flowed from that. My father was a bomber pilot for the Americans in WW2, proud of his service for his country. He honored his Jewish heritage through Jewish culture, particularly borscht-belt humor of the Mel Brooks/Carl Reiner/Tom Lehrer/Allan Sherman/Henny Youngman variety. He was proud to be Jewish, even if he didn’t care for religion.
Agree that all the “self-hating” stuff is nonsense, particularly when it comes from other Jews--mostly pro-Israel ones--who try to shame you into going along with brutality.
Very thought-provoking as usual. Funny that we don't hear about self-hating Armenians, Sikhs, Hmong, etc. Or just self-hating people (i.e., everyone, to some extent) for that matter.
Really interesting essay! I always learn from you.