Thursday, August 25, 2005
Blazen Saddles
I was driving to work today, and I passed a frum neighbor getting in his car, not wearing a yarmulke. And it struck me that this is, B"H, a phenomenon that is not as common in my generation. In my parents generation, it is fairly regular for people to go to work without a head covering. I'm sure they faced extreme discrimination for displaying their Jewishness publicly, and it is ingrained in their heads that the only way to make a living is to remove the Kippah.
I'm not going into Halacha here. But I think that in our generation, a lot of the discrimination has been eliminated by the embrace of diversity in America today. Being different is, if not appreciated, protected. I have a few friends that have either removed their Kippas or have faced problems because of them. It's just hard for me to believe that in America today there is really a pressure to remove it. Sure, there are people who don't wear Yarmulkes in their private life. Their lack of passion to this action carries over into their work-life. But is there really a need nowadays to do without?
I'm not judging anybody negatively who doesn't wear a Yarmulke 24/7. But it just seems so strange; we must have a totally different view of the attitude of how religious Jews are perceived in America today. Isn't the glass half full?
I'm not going into Halacha here. But I think that in our generation, a lot of the discrimination has been eliminated by the embrace of diversity in America today. Being different is, if not appreciated, protected. I have a few friends that have either removed their Kippas or have faced problems because of them. It's just hard for me to believe that in America today there is really a pressure to remove it. Sure, there are people who don't wear Yarmulkes in their private life. Their lack of passion to this action carries over into their work-life. But is there really a need nowadays to do without?
I'm not judging anybody negatively who doesn't wear a Yarmulke 24/7. But it just seems so strange; we must have a totally different view of the attitude of how religious Jews are perceived in America today. Isn't the glass half full?
# posted by Josh : Thursday, August 25, 2005
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I was driving past my local bank today and saw a similar thing with similar thoughts running through my head!
I think that most places of work today will allow a Jewish person to comfortably wear their kippah. There are some, especially those in very public positions in government or big corporations, who will feel less comfortable. It's not for us to judge but we're still in galus and I think it's understandable even if it's not ideal.
I think that most places of work today will allow a Jewish person to comfortably wear their kippah. There are some, especially those in very public positions in government or big corporations, who will feel less comfortable. It's not for us to judge but we're still in galus and I think it's understandable even if it's not ideal.
I have never had any kind of problem wearing a kippa of tzitzit for any job related activity. I guess I am in a different world but I don't understand why it would be an issue anymore.
# posted by 
: August 26, 2005 2:08 AM
: August 26, 2005 2:08 AM
nice post. In most areas of this country it is not a problem to wear a kippah to work. ( There is a very very small chance that you will face discrimination based on your kippah)
Thanks for hanging out today.
Thanks for hanging out today.
I think that wearing a kippah makes several very public statements : I am Jewish. I am quite religious. I am different from you.
Some people are probably more private than others and more uncomfortable with this display. In some work-related situations where first impressions are critical ( sales, interview etc.) I can see how people would be tempted to fit in with everyone else. I am female and I am very pleased that I don't have any obvious identification. Even if it was not abour religion. Even if I had a shirt with my kid's names and photos on it, I am not sure I would want to wear that to work on some days. Too much info.
Some people are probably more private than others and more uncomfortable with this display. In some work-related situations where first impressions are critical ( sales, interview etc.) I can see how people would be tempted to fit in with everyone else. I am female and I am very pleased that I don't have any obvious identification. Even if it was not abour religion. Even if I had a shirt with my kid's names and photos on it, I am not sure I would want to wear that to work on some days. Too much info.
# posted by : August 28, 2005 1:24 AM
: August 28, 2005 1:24 AM
Erica - I guess that means that you agree with me...You don't fear any retribution for being publicly Jewish.
Michael - Keep in mind that my perspective is that of an employee of a Fortune 20 corporation. I definitely understand where people are coming from. I'm just trying to figure out whether it is a fear grounded in reality, or if people are hiding from their own shadow.
OSM - Interesting point. Maybe it doesn't just boil down to discrimination, but to bringing personal lives (and their differences) over into our professional lives. I happen to be of the "salad" school of diversity thought, rather than the "soup" school. I think the overall dish is tastier when you add in all the spices, but each one retains its uniqueness, like a salad, as opposed to the melting pot of a soup, where all the ingredients affect the overall flavor, but lose their own identity to that of the whole soup.
Michael - Keep in mind that my perspective is that of an employee of a Fortune 20 corporation. I definitely understand where people are coming from. I'm just trying to figure out whether it is a fear grounded in reality, or if people are hiding from their own shadow.
OSM - Interesting point. Maybe it doesn't just boil down to discrimination, but to bringing personal lives (and their differences) over into our professional lives. I happen to be of the "salad" school of diversity thought, rather than the "soup" school. I think the overall dish is tastier when you add in all the spices, but each one retains its uniqueness, like a salad, as opposed to the melting pot of a soup, where all the ingredients affect the overall flavor, but lose their own identity to that of the whole soup.
I think you may be under-estimating the pressures in corporate America. While many companies are much more embraceful (is that a word?! lol) doesn't make it easy for everyone. Some people are just plain outright Anti-semetic... such is the life of a Jew. In truth, B"H as you said it is not a major factor but it does truly exsist. Also, there are laws protecting us against such discrimination, so it's easier to be comfortable with who you are because it's safe. But it's not always safe, when there are co-workers who snicker at you. Most people just say -- who cares what you think -- this is my life and I'll do what needs to be done. Others, are more scared and prefer to remove the barrier by removing their kippah. Kol Hakavod to those that don't care!
# posted by : August 29, 2005 12:16 PM
: August 29, 2005 12:16 PM
here's the other side of the coin.... some conservative jews who opt to wear kippot all of the time, but wear them into eating establishments that are NOT kosher, and then eat food that might be kosher, but might not be (obviously the tuna is not kosher in these places, but hey, it's tuna...as the thought process goes.)
also, when i was in college, i went with a certain jewish organization on scholarship to germany. as a kosher keeping jew, i was appalled when this organization's hired rabbi, a reform jew, not only organized for us to have shabbos dinner at a non-kosher restaurant, but also MADE KIDDUSH there. needless to say, i went back to my room after realizing what was going on, and opted to make kiddush over cornflakes and peanut butter.
while i agree with you that it is okay for jews to walk around wearing yarmulkes, b'h', there are some jews who engage in questionable behavior while wearing them. the obvious answer would be that these jews should stop engaging in this behavior. my answer is that they should TAKE OFF THE YARMULKE if they insist on making a mockery of torah observant jews.
also, when i was in college, i went with a certain jewish organization on scholarship to germany. as a kosher keeping jew, i was appalled when this organization's hired rabbi, a reform jew, not only organized for us to have shabbos dinner at a non-kosher restaurant, but also MADE KIDDUSH there. needless to say, i went back to my room after realizing what was going on, and opted to make kiddush over cornflakes and peanut butter.
while i agree with you that it is okay for jews to walk around wearing yarmulkes, b'h', there are some jews who engage in questionable behavior while wearing them. the obvious answer would be that these jews should stop engaging in this behavior. my answer is that they should TAKE OFF THE YARMULKE if they insist on making a mockery of torah observant jews.
Some people are just plain outright Anti-semetic... such is the life of a Jew.
YN - Good point. That reminds me that this very issue is a fullfillment of the Biblical intention that the Jews should be a nation that dwells alone. Certainly, having a different dress will accomplish this. So the "feeling different" as a result is expected. But turning this from some embarrassing, dreadful experience into one of pride is the true intention.
Bec - You raise huge issues that I hadn't even thought of! To be fair, you can't limit your question to the non-Orthodox. At least their actions are within the "right" as they define it. As opposed to the sinning Orthodox. It's scary to think that we should recommend that people should remove their Yarmulke because of the propensity for Chillul Hashme (desecrating Gd's name). But it's true. Not everyone makes a good role model- what then? Suddenly wearing a Yarmulke to work should be discouraged because the average Jew is a disappointment? I'd like to think that instead of recommending that action, we focus on teaching Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of Gd's name) instead.
YN - Good point. That reminds me that this very issue is a fullfillment of the Biblical intention that the Jews should be a nation that dwells alone. Certainly, having a different dress will accomplish this. So the "feeling different" as a result is expected. But turning this from some embarrassing, dreadful experience into one of pride is the true intention.
Bec - You raise huge issues that I hadn't even thought of! To be fair, you can't limit your question to the non-Orthodox. At least their actions are within the "right" as they define it. As opposed to the sinning Orthodox. It's scary to think that we should recommend that people should remove their Yarmulke because of the propensity for Chillul Hashme (desecrating Gd's name). But it's true. Not everyone makes a good role model- what then? Suddenly wearing a Yarmulke to work should be discouraged because the average Jew is a disappointment? I'd like to think that instead of recommending that action, we focus on teaching Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of Gd's name) instead.
i'm impressed with your answer and your willingness to be easier on the non-orthodox who practice within their beliefs than i am, and i attend a conservative synagogue (which i like, but have intense halachic issues with, for obvious reasons.) i think that for the masses, hypocrisy is a serious issue. honestly, even for me, if i have a question regarding halacha, i always get the answer from an odox rabbi because i want the RIGHT answer, not the MODIFIED answer.
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