Why are we at University?

As I wind my way through my experiences here at the University of Oregon, I see a lot of variety. People from many backgrounds, different majors, different friends, involved in different clubs. This, in my opinion, is one of the best parts about being here.

Another amazing thing about being here is the opportunity to grow as individuals. To ask good questions, to dissect the meaning of life, and to take people with you on a journey of understanding (a bit grandiose I know but you catch my drift).

However, when I look back on the people I know and ask generally, are they taking advantage of all the amazing opportunities that exist? The answer is a resounding, no. What I do see are people who party instead of study, drink instead of read, and who skip class because they are too hungover on a Tuesday. What a waste of time and money.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and enjoying oneself in social situations, but is there not a time and a place for it all?

I suppose my question is, why are we here at University?

My answer is that we are here to find our passions, make connections, learn about ourselves, and to discover as many things as possible on as many topics as possible. The way I do that is I ask questions. I ask as many as I can possibly think of. I use Google search all the time. My to-do list contains the word research all over the place.

I offer to you all this: Lets take the stereotype of constant partying out of the picture and really try and learn about who we are. Lets ask the questions that are important to us. And finally lets really try and take advantage of all that we have in front of us.

Which ways are you taking advantage of your university experience? Do you think others are doing the same?

Jeremy Markiz

Joining the Jewish Community Was a Covert Mission

Joining the Jewish community was a covert mission, aimed at expanding my Jewish knowledge. I embarked with trepidation, intimidated by knowledgeable insiders. I dreaded people asking “are you Jewish?” and feeling obligated to divulge innocent bystanders in a detailed account of my ancestry. I felt like I was trespassing on the identity of others that somehow I did not deserve. Among other Jews, I was constantly waiting for my ticket to be validated or my cover to be blown. I became accustomed to listening, rather than participating. I took mental notes of terms and phrases that I would later research.

My personal relationship with Hillel and the greater Jewish community has become strengthened within the past couple years. I owe this shift to my grandmother. Spring of 2006, I left the University of Oregon. I returned to my hometown with plans to attend community college and act as a caregiver for my Grandma Bunny, age 97. I returned home prepared for social isolation, but I had not anticipated a shift in perspective. As I spent time with my grandmother it became clear that she lived in fear of her own identity. She lived through a time when Jewish people were persecuted for their beliefs. They were marginalized and categorized. My Grandma Bunny, stubborn on all accounts, was reluctant to claim her Jewish background. During the holidays she masqueraded as a member of the religious majority. She hung Christmas decorations and insisted that it was easier to pretend. She was convinced that her friendships with neighbors and caretakers would be compromised if they knew her true Jewish identity. Mostly she was tired, she did not have enough energy left for conflict.

My grandmother will always be in my heart. I want to celebrate and enjoy my culture in ways that she was never able to. As a tribute to my Grandma Bunny, I resolved to explore Judaism. Upon my return to the University of Oregon I committed to attending Hillel Shabbat services for an entire term or until I felt comfortable, whichever came first. I fulfilled my term commitment and felt motivated to continue. However, I was still waiting. Without realizing it, I was allowing the perceptions of others to restrict my personal growth.

My advice to new members of the Jewish community: take an introspective approach. Determine why Judaism is important to you. Acceptance in the Jewish community is great, but it should not be the main objective. Be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do not compensate for your own misgivings by attempting to hide under the cultural umbrella of others. Note: dating a Jewish guy (while fun) does not make you Jewish. Instead, learn about Judaism to satisfy your own personal curiosity. Enroll in a Judaic Studies class or take advantage of resources at UO. I can’t help but laugh at the irrational abundance of fear I once felt. The Jewish community is an ally, not an arch-nemesis. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have gained and the many relationships that I deeply value. Thanks for being patient with me Oregon Jews. This journey has been incredibly meaningful.

Whitney Pollack

Why I love "Jewish"

Growing up in what I always described as a "white-bread, bible-belt" town, my Judaism was not something I really thought about a lot. I was Jewish, and my friends were not; that was it. This lead to many a Jewish holiday shared with my classmates, as my father would come to my Elementary classes around Christmas to teach about Channukah and usually we'd play Dreidel. At every Passover Seder and Channukah celebration each of us kids got to bring a friend along and by high school my close friends (mostly varying degrees of Catholics, some Mormons and Baptists ) considered themselves Jews by association. They knew the prayers, knew the traditions, and above all, saw the way my family came together. My best friend, Megan, eventually began to walk around touting the phrase "I love Jewish!" And I thought it was, cute, but I'd never really given much thought to it.

The exchange of religion growing up, however, was not one-sided. Like I said, I grew up in a very conservative town, think the movie "Saved" meets "Stepford Wives." On a regular basis, I would go to Church with my friends after spending the night, or youth group where they held leadership, and even to Bible Study every so often. I usually really enjoyed this exchange, but I didn't know a lot of my own feelings about Judaism, except for the extreme pride I had in being one of the few Jews I knew. I had an expereince one evening attending Bible study at one of the most conservative Baptist Churches in town. The youth pastor pointed out 2 verses to the group (from the new testament), and asked who thought the two verses contradicted each other. I read them, and as far as I was concerned, they did. The verses may as well have been arguing that the sky was blue vs. red. To my surprise I was the ONLY one in the room with their hand raised. At which point, I was blasted by the youth pastor who exclaimed, "the Bible NEVER contradicts itself."

I came home from the whole experience quite confused, and my father simply pointed out, "that's what so great about being Jewish Ruth, we are supposed to disagree, supposed to ask questions, we are constanstly supposed to be figuring it out."

From the moment I was a little girl, my dad has said those very words to me. Judaism has instilled in me the value of questioning, never taking things at face value, and always believing there is more to be learned or understood. There are refrences to this all throughout Judaism. The word Israel means "one who wrestles with G-d;" the Talmud presents differing commentary and interpretations from Rabbinic scholars, with no seeming rush to resolve these differences. Why? Because Judaism thrives on the process of the discussion, not the answer.

I have been lucky enough to have such conversations in my time here at Oregon, and it has helped bring my feeling of Judasim full circle. When I was younger, my Dad implored me to always ask questions, in both my secular life and Judaism, but I didn't make the connection. Now, when I think about Megan, and her constant high pitched proclamation "I LOVE JEWISH" I am infused with my new understandings of this beautiful culture.

Ruth Kerman

Appearance Update

As you may have seen, we've changed our look a little. You may see that happen from time to time while we attempt to figure out exactly how we want to appear. Don't be alarmed, all is well.

We would like to encourage at this point, people to come and write for us! The more authors the better and so we invite everyone who wants to come and write. All you have to do is email jewofo@gmail.com with your post or just email us with your information and we'll get back to you about our policies.

That said, we hope you enjoy what we've posted so far with much more to come!

Shavuot

Last Thursday began the Holiday of Shavuot, considered by many to be one of the most important on the Jewish calendar, which recalls the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Revelation at Mount Sinai. It is a traditional custom to study all night.

In that light, I am only going to ask some questions that have been sitting with me since Shavuot. I feel that the Jewish Tradition necessitates questions which is why I am going to do so now:

Revelation was so long ago, why is it still relevant to us today, as University of Oregon students? As A. J. Heschel said, Revelation was an event that we still grapple with today instead of continuing to experience, what does this mean? Do students really study all night on Shavuot? What can the 10 Commandments mean to me? Is the Torah divinely written, inspired, or completely of human construction? Is the Torah really perfect? Why was Hebrew chosen as the language of the Torah? What does it mean to see sound? What does God's voice sound like? Does it have a sound? Should I be able to hear it? What place does Torah have in my life? What if I don't have answers? Should I have answers?

I encourage you all to comment with some of your questions.

Jeremy Markiz