Cool Jew 4th of July Giveaway

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Posted by Jennie

"Are you a Jewish American or an American Jew, and why?"

Once again, I am moved by the number and thoughtfulness of your answers! We have such a special community here of people interested in New Jewish culture. It leaves me verklempt. Take a minute to read through the answers if you can.

The winner is:

Aliza "La Jewminicana" Hausman said...: What do you mean are you a Jewish American or an American Jew? Of course, I am both. My identities are not mutually exclusive. On Shabbat, I am always a Jew at rest. But when, like this year, the 4th of July falls on Shabbat, I don’t want kugel or gefilte fish. I demand already-been-barbecued-before-Shabbat hamburgers, fries and chicken wings. It is here in America with its astounding religious freedom that I can be both fully Jewish and fully American. I can be a child of immigrants, strolling towards my kosher stores on every corner listening to Michael Jackson classics from the IPod earbuds in my ear.

Cool Jew 4th of July Giveaway
(click on image for a larger view)

The Cool Jew 4th of July Gift Box contains:

Diversity t-shirt that says, "It takes all of us to make the land bloom," from Jean Roth of Rotem Gear
Alan Oirich's latest Jewish Hero Corps comic book
We Can Rise CD by Chana Rothman
Cool Jew book from Lisa Alcalay Klug
"No Limit Texas Dreidel" game invented by Jennie Rivlin Roberts and Webb Roberts
"Salud!" Dreidel Drinking Game from ModernTribe.com

Meet the people bringing you The Cool Jew 4th of July Gift Box

Comment below to enter!

(Please make sure your email is available through your Blogger profile. If you are commenting anonymously, you must email us with your comment so that we know how to contact you if you win! contact@moderntribe.com)

Check back here or sign up for our Newsletter to be notified of the winner on July 3! (No purchase is required to enter. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.)

For those of you who are curious as to how we pick the winners -- I (Jennie) use a random number generator and if it matches (a) a real attempt at an answer (which all of them usually are) and (b) I can contact the person (I will go searching for your contact on your blog, Twitter, website), then that is the winner. If either (a) or (b) isn't true, I generate another random number.

48 comments:

Lisa Trank-Greene said...: My dad and uncles, all born in Czechoslovakia and who escaped the Nazis, loved America. They raised their families in Southern California, kept Judaism alive in a small Los Angeles town, built a business (and re-built it three times) in South Central LA. They taught all of us to love freedom, to stand up for justice for all people even when it made us uncomfortable. My father especially love American westerns and he was very proud of a non-working rifle that hung over the brick fireplace mantle. My dad passed away at 97 years old last year and every day he was in this country he was grateful and proud.; July 1, 2009 at 9:40 AM
PearlJamFan said...: I am an American Jew because it is not an adjective, but a name. Moving cannot change that part of me; my tefillin will come with me. My location is temporary, but my family name, my last name, my surname - is "Jew." Call me what you will and place me where you want, but my end is my begining, and my begining is my end. Venezuelan, Russian, Ghanaian, Croatian, - whatever culture I could join, I can always be that but I can never not be a Jew.; July 1, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Lara Rykiss said...: I am a Canadian Jew. I live in Canada and am hugely pleased and proud of that. However, who I am, what I am, how I live is based on my Jewish faith, my Jewish community and my Jewish home. My country is where I live, but my Jewishness makes me a whole person. If I had to either move out of Canada or stop being Jewish, I would move without thinking. Without my Jewishness I am not me.; July 1, 2009 at 11:34 AM
GoJetzoff said...: I'm an American who is also Jewish. I am infused with the values of Judaism and the United States. I reject any term that sections me off my the country I was born to and regard myself as a fusion of the two 'traditions.' Perhaps one day, Jews will stop 'wandering' and realize that they are an ultra-syncretic group, one that is a unique citizen of the world.; July 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Average Jane said...: When someone asks "What are you?" What is your answer? For me, it is "Jewish". Always has been. That is why I am and American Jew.; July 1, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Michael Hollander said...: My parents were survivors & freedom fighters...I believe in Judaism first, and foremost-so I am a Jewish American. If the mood of this country changes for some strange reason, I will be a Jew. However,I do live here so I am a Jewish American!; July 1, 2009 at 3:52 PM
juliagoolia said...: I am a Jewish American because that is the way I was raised. My family came to America from Russia when I was 3 years old and my dad has always repeated to me "You're not Russian; you're a Jewish American." So that is what I am.; July 1, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Lewko said...: I am an Australian Jew living in America. Australian describes me, Jew is what I am and always will be.; July 1, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Helene Rock said...: I'm an American Jew, and a proud one at that. My family has been Jewish for generations; I'm a first generation American. My Mom was a HOlocaust survivor. Being an American also means that I can append the Jewish part without fear of reprisal. Or I can choose to NOT openly call attention to my Jewishness. German Jews didn't have that option in WWII.

Helene Rock
Liebrock@pacbell.net; July 1, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Mara Rose Gaulzetti said...: I would say both, but that would be avoiding the question. If made to choose I would have to favor being called an American Jew because I view Judaism as a shared culture and tradition, with a very complicated and rich history, as opposed to an ethnicity.; July 1, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Joan said...: I am an American Jew. I was born in this country and will always love this country. However, if I had to move to another country, I would always be Jewish.

Joan
Remembrance Stones
jkarasick@remembrancestones.com
www.remembrancestones.com

Are you the people who were at the Reform Jewish Biennial in December 2007 in San Diego?; July 1, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Anonymous said...: I am an Irish American Jew and I could not be anything else. Everything I think about and believe is steeped in the customs of two brilliant groups of people -but Jewish sense of identity and pride is what I value most. I love that I am well informed enuogh about my faith and my histories that I can enjoy every stripe of Jew I meet. From the Chasidic to the Secular and everyone in between. I never stop wanting to know more about our tribe - where we came from and where we are going. Right now I am interested in the Jews of India. As an American and Jew I cherish the right to be and to express everything I have come to be.; July 1, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Chloé said...: I'm a Jewish (Franco-)American. Why? Well, first of all, it sounds better to say Jewish Franco-American than French American Jew, but more importantly, if I were born anywhere else (to my same parents, obviously) I wouldn't be American, but I'd still be Jewish.

-CW; July 1, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Kokapelye said...: I am a Jewish American and an American Jew because “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” In the United States I have the freedom to exercise my religion at no cost to my citizenship, and to exercise my citizenship at no diminishment to my religion.; July 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Anonymous said...: It is a valid question but to be in the true Jewish spirit I am going to ask a question within the question.

Why does ones importance have to be at the expense of the importance of another.
It is not a see saw.
Reminds me of a debate I had with a orthodox man about non jewish holidays and anything that isnt religious. his feeling was that if you are celebrating thanksgiving day or you follow a bseball team you are going against judiasm.
Personally there are aspects about both judiasm and being american I embrace. there are also things i critique and dont agree with as well.
One thing great about both is that you are allowed to where other countries and other religions forbid disagreements.
I am neither a jew or a american first. My first title to be A Human being. {although some might debate that}; July 2, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Anonymous said...: Neither, actually I live and was born in England and there is far less Jewish acceptance here than in America so for all the Jewish who are not under the cosy umbrella of America - please don't leave us out and because the British passport dictates nationality first, I am a very proud English Jew. Actually Jewish English doesn't roll off the tongue so easily.. I guess I could say Jewish Brit?; July 2, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Ladymono said...: I'm an American Jew. While my family is originally from Iran, that is the country I unfortunately identify with least. I am thankful to be an American citizen, where I can freely practice my religious beliefs, and be proud of seeing myself as a Jew.; July 2, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Robyn said...: I am an American Jew. While I am proud to be an American, my Jewish pride far exceeds my American pride. There are some things (perhaps many things) that happen in America or that America as an entity makes happen around the world, things that make me blush and be appalled to align myself with. But being Jewish... even people who I don't necessarily agree with, I will align myself with. It's confusing sometimes, but I guess the real reason is evident in that I don't have an American flag hanging from my house, yet I have mezuzot on every doorpost. And I'm the only Jewish family in my neighborhood -- on Long Island, no less! So for me and my family to stand up for our Jewish heritage (even when hatemongers decide to paint the word JEWS under the STOP on the corner stop sign), we're standing up not just for current Jews everywhere, but our ancestors, those we knew, those we did not, and our Jewish brethren yet to live.; July 2, 2009 at 12:17 PM
jbasofin said...: Both America and Judaism have contributed tremendously to the world. My great grandparents came to America's shores from Russia, escaping the violent and devastating pogroms. Both of my grandfathers enlisted and served in World War II, one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific, along with many other brave Americans of their generation, saving the world from fascism and Nazi tyranny. Judaism and America, when at their best, are forces for justice in the world, shining a light unto the nations. And although I am proud of both heritages, I am in the end an American Jew because my Judaism is a stronger identity, bringing me back to my heritage in the shtetls of Russia, back through the torah to the time of Abraham, and catapulting me into the future toward Olam Haba, the world to come.; July 2, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Eve said...: I'm an American Jew, just like I'm an American anarchist, feminist and woman.

Just rolls off the tongue better, in my opinion.

Shalom!; July 2, 2009 at 6:24 PM
hipmomma3913 said...: I'm an American Jew. I am an American, born and raised; and I am a Jew by Choice. My religious connection is deeply important to me and I believe that it is a great influence on how I approach my Americanism. The persistant Jewish demand of "WHY" has taught me to never be blindly Patriotic. The Jewish belief in peacemaking and fighting for defensive purposes only has had a profound impact on how I approach my life as a military spouse. The Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam gives me peace when my husband is deployed to Iraq- because I believe that as Americans, we have been richly blessed and that those blessings come with the responsibility to repair the world wherever and whenever we can.; July 2, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Tony said...: Great comments and a very deep question. I'd have to say a Jewish American - being Jewish is a part of who I am no matter where I was (for better or worse). Like so many others, a lot of family was lost to the Holocaust and I'll never know them and the sad fact is that I may never know some who survived. When someone asks what I am, I say Jewish though I was not raised Jewish and rarely gone to Temple. I am very proud of being Jewish. As I get older, it seems so much more important to remember who we are, and our history - especially with Iran, the tragedy of Holocaust Museum and continued attacks against Israel. We're fortunate that so many gave so much to establish Israel and a Jewish Homeland. So Jewish American it is.

BTW - Keep up the good work with Modern Tribe!!!!; July 2, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Anonymous said...: My Passport says American. My Birth Certificate says Australian. My Heart says Sabra...; July 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Adri said...: I was born an American and raised on the land. Traveling the plain states as a child my family harvested the grain which helped put food on tables around the world. My very secular upbringing showed me much to proud of in my country - but left me needing something more to find a purpose to help remedy the ills in our nation. By choice I entered a Jewish life. Choosing to build a home, family, and raise a child in a spiritual home which encourages the Tikkun Olam. I will always be American no matter where life may take me and my soul was always Jewish. I am an American Jew.; July 2, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Aliza "La Jewminicana" Hausman said...: What do you mean are you a Jewish American or an American Jew? Of course, I am both. My identities are not mutually exclusive. On Shabbat, I am always a Jew at rest. But when, like this year, the 4th of July falls on Shabbat, I don’t want kugel or gefilte fish. I demand already-been-barbecued-before-Shabbat hamburgers, fries and chicken wings. It is here in America with its astounding religious freedom that I can be both fully Jewish and fully American. I can be a child of immigrants, strolling towards my kosher stores on every corner listening to Michael Jackson classics from the IPod earbuds in my ear.; July 2, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Joshua (Yossi) said...: I am a Jewish American because I identify as first a Jew and then an American. It's tough to feel as if I am American first as no matter where you go in America you are reminded that Christianity is the religion of this country (just go into Walmart between Oct 1st & Dec 26th). So, I am a Jewish American; a Jew who is and lives in America.; July 2, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Alex said...: Well, I tried. First because I was born in Germany I thought I was a German Jew, they said no, your grandfather is Austrian. So I tried to be an Austrian Jew but they too said no, because you are an American citizen and we don't honor dual citizenship. So, here I am with only my Jewish roots not severed, and so a Jewish American.; July 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM
bassaiguy said...: I'm an American Jew because it is through the exercise of my rights as an American that my Jewish identity is (finally) secure. I can speak my mind worship freely - 1st amd.; defend myself and my family from oppression (Never Again!) - 2 amd.; protect myself and property from politcal bias and government abuse - 4-6 amds.; etc. I cherish this coutnry and cherish my Judaism.; July 2, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Beth Chava said...: I'm not sure I can distinguish the difference. The emphasis feels the same whichever way you put it. I am reminded on the 4th of July not only of the freedom (which is not free) given in America but the religious freedom as well. I tell my daughters they can be proud of who they are and not hide their Jewish identity because we live in America.
We take many freedoms for granted in America, it is because of my Jewish identity that I do not take being an American for granted.; July 2, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Hadassa said...: I am actually a Jewish Canadian, but I have lived in the US for many years, worked really hard to stay here and fought to have July 4th weekend off so I can celebrate the country that hosted me for 10 years. So, I consider myself a Jew, living freely as a Jew in the great USA. Oh, and I didn't forget about Canada, still a beautiful country to visit.; July 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Anonymous said...: I am a Jew. I am an American. Neither is an optional state. I will live for both, I will fight for both, I will not choose between them. Anyone who threatens either my country or my religion is my blood enemy and will be treated accordingly.; July 2, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Anonymous said...: being jewish isn't about your denomination, it is about having the same cultural beliefs, the same understanding of what is it to be jewish and to understand that even though we may, as jews, have different religious beliefs, we all still believe in hashem and about being the best we can be as jews.; July 2, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Jeremy said...: I feel like both of those extremes at different times. Of course when I was in Israel twice this year I felt like a JEWISH American much more strongly. At other times, like on Memorial Day, I felt more like an American Jew. I feel comfortable walking that line in my every day life, but I know at the end of the day I'm proud to be Jewish and want others to be proud along with me.

Jeremy ~rosenjs@gmail.com; July 2, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Michele said...: I consider myself an American Jew. Being Jewish is not just my religion but my ethnicity. When people ask what I am, instinctively I say Jewish, just like some people would say Irish or Italian. I suppose both would be applicable but I like the sound of American Jew better.; July 3, 2009 at 2:19 AM
Caca said...: Am I a Jewmerican or an Amerijew? Or are you asking whether I'm more of a Jewmericanjew or Amerijewica?

I'll get back to you on that one :); July 3, 2009 at 2:30 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm not sure because I don't know which term describes which. If you consider yourself Jewish first, are you an American Jew or a Jewish American?; July 3, 2009 at 8:14 AM
2C said...: I have experienced deaths and births in many religious and spiritual traditions, and all I can say is I am so glad and grateful to be who I am -- Jewish. In America, people aren't very straightforward, and we're told to accept everyone -- but overall this doesn't really happen. When it does, it most often comes with the price-tag of self-erasure. I don't think it's a fair price to pay. There is a Jewish meditative tradition in which one sits with head lowered, eyes facing the navel. We as Jews are at our best, introspective navel-gazers, and I would not wish to be any other way. When something happens, and when nothing does -- I know I am Jewish. I follow the Jewish way and the Jewish path. I dream Jewish dreams and I eat Jewish food -- and when I die I know I will still have then as I do now a Jewish SOUL.; July 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Matitiyahu Bernstein said...: Is this a trick question? Are you asking if I am an American who practices Judaism, or a Jew who believes in science, democracy, and bill of rights? In so many ways Western values are set in conflict with the ancient ideas of the torah writers. Well just call me a Heebster and give me the goodies!!!; July 3, 2009 at 10:18 AM
mimigirl7 said...: I am a Jew from many generations back. I really don't know anybody in my family who is not a Jew. My great grandfather was an interpreter on Elis Island. Yet my parents where hippies and my father deiced I needed to choose my own faith. So I went to almost every religion exploring my faith. I came to one conclusion I'm Jew it is in my sole. Being a Jew in a American mean to me I have a responsibility to keep the faith, family, and special bond that only Jews understand. Jews in America are special we have freedoms that may not be allowed anywhere else. An in that gift it is easy to stray away form what make us so unique and special. It is only when our Faith is ripped from us that we could really know how important it is. No matter where I am or what I am doing I know that if there is a Jew in the room I have family. Practicing or not we have a bond instantly. So, it is so important to me to spread the word to Jews in America to keep the faith. We are great but we must not let the spoils of America blind us from out inner sole. I am a Jew in American and that's a big deal. It will never leave you it is a part of you so be proud of it :); July 3, 2009 at 12:27 PM
D Lieberman said...: Determining if I am an Jewish American or an American Jew, is a lot like what came first the chicken or the egg. I am a Jew because my father was born a Jew, as were his parents. I am an American because my grandparents escaped the Nazi's by finding thier way to America. Never living in a Jewish state I would have to say I am an American that is honored to have such a great heritage as a Jew.; July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Anonymous said...: As the son of a holocaust child, whose Grandparents escaped Germany in 1939, I consider myself a Jewish American. My family has been in Israel since the late 1800's. Upon completion of college, I made aliyah. Served in a combat unit for 2 years. I have done my fair share of global travel and I identify with the Jewish Community wherever I go.; July 3, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Anonymous said...: If I win, these items will find a good home in my Jewish Home or will become gifts for appropriate people.
Thank You!; July 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
2C said...: My next two cents:

What I like about being an American Jew is how the two interact -- American and Jew. Jew by choice, American by force. Born Jewish I think is much more difficult than conversion as I feel the weight of centuries pushing down upon my shoulders every instant, but still I choose it. American was forced on me and still is. I'd rather have no governments at all, no nation-states but still have nations. The nation to which I belong is the Jewish one, the Hebrew one, the Israelite one. I don't know which tribe was my ancestors' but I do know I've known Jews from China and other of the 'lost' tribes, and they were fine with me and I was fine with them and being Jewish isn't about how I or they look or where we grew up. It's an internal bond, a way of thinking and viewing the world -- no matter where in that world we may be.; July 3, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Mitch said...: As we sit around the shabbos table, I often (too much if you ask my boys) discuss attitudes & incidents happening in the world & the United States against jews & Israel. I tell my sons we must never forget because no matter how other jews have tried & continue to try to assimilate - it has NEVER worked & never will work! We are meant to be different (special). We are Jewish Americans & and rather than hide that we have a responsibility to fight anti-semitism to be accepted not for who they want us to be but for who we really are.; July 3, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Trisha said...: I'm a Jewish American. As a JBC I thought about this prospect prior to my conversion. I know it's a little morbid but bear with me. If a plane was high-jacked, and the passengers were mostly American, then the Jews were told to go to the left side of the plane. With my non-Jewish sounding name what would I do? It wasn't until I was certain I'd proudly situate myself with my people on the left that I felt comfortable converting. Thus, the Jewish part of my identity takes precedence.; July 3, 2009 at 3:22 PM
kathybear4 said...: I am not a Jew, simply married to a non-practicing (perfect already, he says)Jew. I feel that I can say I am an American Jew because I support Jewish causes, know a significant amount about the religion and its practice and, as comedians like the late Buddy Hackett once said - Methodists are about as close as you can get to being Jewish without converting.
:-); July 3, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Aliza "La Jewminicana" Hausman said...: Wooooooo! I can't believe I won. Yay! Now, of course, I must go blog about this.; July 3, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm a Russian-American-Israeli Jew who is coming home to Israel.

I've been a Russian for seven years, an American for seventeen years, an Israeli for a few years, but Jewish for four thousand years.; July 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM