George Gershwin called it Americana. Virgil Thomson called it "gefilte variations," a snide allusion to gefilte fish, a traditional Jewish foodstuff. Both men were referring to "Porgy and Bess," which, once again, is enjoying a successful run on Broadway. By Gershwin's lights, his production, rooted in the sights and sounds of the South, was as American as could be. To Thomson, one of the most influential critics of his time, the whole thing was a Jewish enterprise, through and through.
For most of us in the audience, it matters not a whit whether Porgy and Bess bears an American, a Jewish or a mixed pedigree. We thrill to the strains of "Summertime," clap our hands in delight at "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin," and dab at our eyes when we hear "Bess, You is My Woman Now." For most of us, the opera's provenance -- the source of its angular rhythms and plush textures and grand aspirations -- is of little concern: Who cares? At best, it's a sideshow, a distraction, to what really matters: the production's emotional pull.
But maybe we're missing out on something if we don't reckon forthrightly with the tension between Gershwin's perspective and Thomson's. Maybe, we're missing out on the opportunity to define what constitutes "Jewish culture."
Judaism, we know about, more or less: It's not Christianity. Secular Jewishness is also a relatively familiar concept. We recognize it when we see it, especially in the movies and on television. But "Jewish culture"? What on earth is that? Is it "Porgy and Bess," as Thomson would have it? Or the Talmud? The hip-hop stylings of Matisyahu or the traditional cantorial liturgy of Yosele Rosenblatt? Paintings on velvet of dancing Hasidim? Or the abstract canvases of Mark Rothko? How about Larry David or "Fiddler on the Roof"?
You can have a field day trying to pin down the meaning of "Jewish culture," let alone inventory its contents. Jewish culture is so capacious, so fluid, so open-ended a term, one is left wondering whether the definition hangs on sensibility, subject matter or birthright. To put it another way, figuring out exactly what makes a song or a dance, a film or an artwork "Jewish" is not for the faint of heart. And that's just for starters. Equally daunting is the challenge of situating Jewish culture, of grounding it in a particular context, especially these days when everything's up for grabs. Where does one find it? On the street? In the synagogue? On Broadway? At college? The local Jewish community center? At a museum? Online?
Yes, yes and yes, again -- in all those places.
Some might argue that to highlight Jewish culture is to denigrate Judaism by rendering it an alternative, competing sphere of influence. Others might argue that a big tent approach to Jewish culture is a weakness rather than a strength, that it lacks discernment and discrimination. Surely, not every Rodgers and Hammerstein production is to be construed as an expression of Jewishness. Nor, for that matter, does every trinket from Israel. How, then, do we differentiate between what is and what isn't Jewish culture? A good question.
From my perspective, "Jewish culture" doesn't occupy one side of the ledger and "Judaism" another. On the contrary, they complete each other. As for formulating a neat and tidy definition of Jewish culture, I'm not sure I could come up with one. After all, I relish the juxtapositions of high and low, street and sanctuary, the age-old and the improvised, the opportunities for preservation as well as re-interpretation that are encompassed by the concept of Jewish culture.
So much so, in fact, that I've just launched a new MA program in Jewish Cultural Arts that does precisely that: puts front and center the ways in which music and dance, film and theatre, photography and painting loom large in, and shape, the Jewish encounter with modernity.
In the end, Gershwin and Thomson may resist any and all efforts at reconciliation. Still, it's not for want of trying. As both a rallying cry and as a point of departure, Jewish culture, to paraphrase Claude Levi Strauss, is good to think with.
Jenna Weissman Joselit is the Charles E. Smith Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of History at The George Washington University, where she directs its forthcoming MA program in Jewish Cultural Arts. A longtime columnist at The Forward and the author, among other things, of 'The Wonders of America,' she blogs at www.fromunderthefigtree.com.
Hammerstein: Here's a story written by an Irishman about an Italian in China. Why kind of tunes can you write for that?
Kern: Oh, it'll be good Jewish music.
The term “Judaism” originated as a pejorative reference to Hebrew Christians at a time Christianity was establishing itself as a separate gentile church. The authentic term that is used by Jews is “Torah”, as in “Israel posses Torah“.
The normative aspects of Torah, “Halacha”, are the anchor for the concept of “the people of Israel“. Maintaining uniformity in behavioral norms or law defined the Jew. It also allowed “non normative” deconstruction of the Torah narrative in creative interpretation.
Kabbalah is an example of the use of deconstructive techniques in analyzing the text to find its “hidden meaning”. Torah would become meaningless if deconstructive interpretive techniques, ancient or modern, were not anchored in strict adherence to the normative tradition.
Torah is considered an all embracing way of life. It is this traditional way of life and what it produced which I would consider “Jewish culture”.
Hellenism when adopted by a Jew, is not Jewish culture.
Self identified “secular Jews” and “liberal Jews” would disagree.
There is no question that Jewish culture is multifaceted. I am not sure that differentiates it from any other kind of culture that is discussed.
has there beeen much made of the suggestion in a documentary that hatred gainst jews started in france when princes got too deeply into debt to jewish traders and thought it advantageous to get out of debt by inciting hatred
in the 6 and 7 th century the talmud suggests that jewish authoritiesdiscouraged the mention of Jesus in their records because of fear of hatred of them
needingto survive for 2000 years has given them an evolutionary edge it seems
jewish culture and religion forbids Mossad from torturing, correct ?
however benighn as i suggested to green College UBC the academy are intellectual voyeurs; what right to they have to be spying on real people and categorising them and putting " them " into accaptable and unacceptable
jewish culture is a good samaritan right now today jewish culture and judaism is saying dontbomb iran and do ask Assad to get out ; form a coalition with turkey and force assad out and make sure america gives asmuch money per year to gaza and west bank as it does to Isreal
culture which is divorced from reality is simply escapism
culture is culture when it prevents problems and preventing problems is a thankless thing because the prevented problem does not exist therefore preventing it isnt provable
if the state of israel is culture cultures and judaism and freedom of religion it shouldnt have a problem
i know nothing
What does it mean to the Chosen People? Why does God not accept the rest of us?
Does God oppose slavery? Where in the Bible is slavery denounced? (Did not Abraham and Jacob have slaves?)
Is sex with a slave adultery?
Start with these questions. There are many more.
Christians also believe themselves to be "chosen" though. I am not personally very knowledgeable about any religion but I have often heard Christians tell others that they would not be accepted in heaven. If this is in fact part of Christian theology it raises other questions for you to ask. There are many more.
In Jewish cheeses and yogurts.
Keep Kosher and make sure to not get any culture onto the meat.
You don't have to be ashamed of Christ... but I suspect a lot of your "culture" can be found on Wall Street.
Where's the hate?
If stating the truth is hate, then you have a problem
2 for one. You slimed Judaism and homosexuality in the same comment. I have no problembeing associated with gays; but I would not like to be associated with you.
Sometimes our "opinions" get in the way of "understanding." "Reality exists only in my mind," indeed. Likely the "only true Reality?"
Didn't answer my questions, either.
it's 6 of one and half dozen of the other.
Before you ask the obvious question, yes I lived
in the Arab world, been to Israel many times.
As I said 6 of one and half dozen of the other.