Jewish Identity
Although tradition and religion are still central ideas today, these elements have seen loss in the transition to the"Jewish-American" identity. When the Jewish immigrants arrived in Boston they brought their unique culture and traditions. However, as they spent more time in America, their lifestyles began to change. In its earlier days of immigration, the Jewish culture reflected a more orthodox Judaism and tended to consist of poor factory workers who typically lived in crowded tenement housing (Antoline). Tradition and religion were core elements of their daily lives. Over century later, the Jewish identity has changed in several ways. A Jewish Bostonian today is likely to live in the suburbs, experience on average far less discrimination, follow Reform Judaism, and, due to significant Americanization, identify much more heavily as American.
The flow chart below is designed to demonstrate specific changes to the Jewish community as it evolved in its new American setting as well as explain causes of these changes.
The flow chart below is designed to demonstrate specific changes to the Jewish community as it evolved in its new American setting as well as explain causes of these changes.
It is important to note that education and the study of religion and argumentation of religious texts has always been important and central in Jewish culture even through the changing Jewish identity. What did change was the level of religious identification the immigrants had, which then changed how much time they committed to this concept as they began their lives in American culture (Hirschman 16).
Revival of Traditions today
The Chabad house is an organization with many locations across the nation, including one in Boston. Their ultimate goal is to further the understanding, observation and practice of Jewish traditions as well as making the "old age religion" relevant in today's day in age (Posner). The Chabad House of Greater Boston is focused primarily on university students but is open to all. Their Shabbat and holiday programs, classes, events and the general atmosphere are all aimed to make college students feel comfortable and supported ("About Us"). They focus on the idea that the old Jewish concepts are staying the same, for example the importance and use of synagogues and Kosher food, but are updating to the times by becoming more modernized as society is changing. The Chabad House is designed to help Jewish people recognize and embrace these changes but remember and revive the importance of their Jewish traditions.
Another organization with similar aims is the Harvard Hillel. The Harvard Hillel is centered on students as well but specifically focuses on their active and self-conscious choice to be Jewish, exploration of the relevance of Jewish traditions to their own lives, becoming active participates in the culture, and to contribute to the Jewish community and the world ("About Us" Hillel). By doing this they have the opportunity to contribute to the revival of Jewish life in American. They aim to do so by the centrality of education of Jewish culture, Pluralism, and the development of leaders and dialogue with Israel ("About Us" Hillel). The environment the Hillel provides for students challenges as well as supports them as the explore their Jewish identity today.
Another organization with similar aims is the Harvard Hillel. The Harvard Hillel is centered on students as well but specifically focuses on their active and self-conscious choice to be Jewish, exploration of the relevance of Jewish traditions to their own lives, becoming active participates in the culture, and to contribute to the Jewish community and the world ("About Us" Hillel). By doing this they have the opportunity to contribute to the revival of Jewish life in American. They aim to do so by the centrality of education of Jewish culture, Pluralism, and the development of leaders and dialogue with Israel ("About Us" Hillel). The environment the Hillel provides for students challenges as well as supports them as the explore their Jewish identity today.