(37) Lesley Hubbard , July 10, 2007

Guess which!

Let's see, I have been thought by others to be Hawaiian or other Polynesian, of Arabic extraction, American Indian, East Indian, Oriental, etc. When I say, "Nope, I'm Jewish", I often hear, "But you don't look Jewish!"; just how in the heck is a Jew supposed to look anymore? The old hack about hook noses, greasy black hair, short stature, sport-avoiding, etc., etc., ad nauseum is gone (I hope), but it's almost impossible to tell by looking at a person, just what he/she is. And incidentally, I wish I looked more like the stero-type Jewish lady. Don't see many of those anymore, darn it!

(36) Anonymous , June 13, 2007

Baruch Hashem we are different

Jews are different!! My middle school principal used to always say "when the Jews don't make Kiddush, the Goyim make Havdalah" it is up to us to set our selves apart! We are not like other nations. That doesn't need to be a bad thing! When we go out in public dressed neat and put together and actually covering ourselves, that is setting our selves apart in a good way. Another one-liner from my former principal is "you may be the only Sefer Torah a goy may ever read" meaning it is up to use to make a good impression on the rest of the world and show them how frum Jews act. But we are different and there is no denying that.

(35) Anonymous , June 4, 2007

It's horrible

I have heard people tell me so many times that they totally don't mind that I am jewish, because I don't act that way. Well, how do jews act? Is there something we do that sets us apart from the rest? All of us know that the answer is no. But, I find it horribly offensive when people speak such blasphemies against us. All we can do is stay strong and pray that these people gain the wisdom that only He can give them.

(34) Anonymous , May 29, 2007

Yes, we are different

One chritian friend told me once: funny you dont look jewish to me, I thought all jewish women had curly hair and were terribly tight in spending money for not saying outright.......! Then I asked what else? Well, she said you are all too overweight, your lipsticks are red as blood and always look for sales or cheap places to eat. You always talk about your children or grandchildren, how rich and smart thry are (mostly doctors, lawyers or top managers)..and finally comes the problem with your inlaws. You never talk about museums, handycrafts,french or italian movies,you never read the latest Garcia-Marquez novel, all this she told me and I ask myself now is this a problem of cultural differences, new-rich, or is that a real discrimination?

(33) Anonymous , May 27, 2007

OFFENSIVE

OFFENSIVE Unfortunately we are all judged by the actions of others. There are many who appear to be religious who behave in a way most unreligious, and the stereotype is created. Ethics and man's relationship with man are the foundations of Judaism and without them you are not religious no matter what you are wearing, where you are seen or what you are doing, but that outer image is the message perceived by all, and then we suffer the consequences of the actions of others.

(32) Anonymous , May 15, 2007

no. it isn't fair that people judge each other from an outside perspective but we have to realize that it isn't something we can really change. we were created with bodies- to hold what is truly important- our neshomos. we must try to ensure our outside reflects the inner parts. one day i"h soon we will see the truth...

(31) Roberto , May 12, 2007

i don't look Jewish

Well i'm hispanic and also Jewish. And I was having a conversation with my friends the other day and religion came up. They asked me what mine was and I told them I was Jewish. They looked at me funny and said you're not Jewish. You don't look Jewish. So to be considered what I am should I walk around like him. With the curls down my face and everything. I'm just agreeing with some popele before me that this sends a message.

(30) tammy fesspoint , May 11, 2007

Okay.........funny.........but:

That guy wasn't jewish.
What does a jew look like anyway?
Take a satellite camera and pan it at close-up range across the jewish sections of Israel: jews come in both genders, all different pigmentations and ethnicities.
"By your seed shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed."
Being kicked around the globe and intermarrying and etc has made it so that EVERYONE has some degree of Hebrew blood in them. Even if they don't know it. Those that practice it don't all wear side-locks and believe it or not ARE jewish. Jews are representative of every nation and ethnicity on this planet - unless you include the klan and hezbolla as an ethnicity.
So I get your point about living so as not to embarrass the rest of the jews, but using the "appearance" test is outdated and subtly prejudiced and exclusionary.
I am Reform-Conservative.

(29) Anonymous , May 9, 2007

rabbi mistaken for halloween celebrant

This reminds me of a story told to me by my Chassidishe rabbi. he was once in the elevator of our local hospital making a visit to one of our friends. As the elevator opened, two young teens stepped on and asked him, "what are you supposed to be?" He was shocked by the question and wasn't sure how to respond until he saw a large banner over the nurse's station saying "Happy Halloween!"

(28) Ali Baba , May 8, 2007

When I was a child I heard terrible

commens (mostly from Gentiles) about people "looking Jewish". From my fellow Jews, I heard that "I did not look Jewish" - thus, I was supposed to consider myself lucky! Doess anybody realize what a message this sends?

(27) Yehudah , May 4, 2007

Typical

Um, no, I think this is just a way for ABC to do their part in trivializing those silly quant rituals of those funny folks with the long curls hanging from their hats. But I guess I shouldn't take that personally, because on NEXT week's episode he's gonna dress up as someone Amish...

(26) E.S , May 3, 2007

everywhere u go remember- u are representing am yisroel so-make hashem proud!

anything we do as a private person reflects on am yisroel as a nation. whether its fair or not is not a question. the question we have to ask ourselves is-am i acting in a way that is appropriate for a ben or bat yisroel? we have to understand that everywhere we go we are representing the jewish nation and make sure to always be on our best behaviore b/c when ppl look at us on the street they don't see any joeshmoe, they see "the jews" so lets be a light amongst the other nation and make hashem proud!

(25) chanatova , May 3, 2007

Goyim watching out for Jews not to eat pork

So true, the nonJews watch that i do not eat anything not kosher. It is so funny how this happens! In W. Orange, N.J. in 1977 we always went to a glatt kosher deli when we visited my parents. Months passed, we went in to order from the counter. My husb. said, wait, that doesn't look right, it looks like ham. I continued to order. Chani, my husb. stuttered, wait. I pointed to the kaiser roll. Chani, that's ham. The counterboy asked if I want mayo on the roll with my turkey. Chani, my husb. tried to interrupt. I looked at him and smiled. It's ham, he said. Neh, Baruch, (to the boy) that's turkey and that is also turkey? Wham, we sensed something was fishy (hammy) and my husb. guided me outside. Same sign outside. We went in & asked the boy: is that ham? Sure, he told us. But aren't you a kosher deli. Oh, no, they moved, we just opened. Forgot to remove the sign, I guess. We left.

(24) Keith Arnold , May 3, 2007

Not Jewish, but of the House of Israel: Ephraim

It appears to me that the gentlemen dressed as an Orthodox Jew was the one not being fair. He left an impression that pork is of no real importance.
I believe that where ever we go we should portay our lives as they really are and not be deceptive.
Thanks,
Keith Arnold

(23) Rachele , May 2, 2007

Sadly, this is the case, but the point for us to dwell on is the responsibility we have because of this.

Whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not,fact is,the Jewish People are judged by even just one Jewish individual's actions. This is very scarey to think about as it puts a very big responsibility on our shoulders. Msy we always succeed in causing only positive judgements of the Jewish pple, through our every action!!

(22) ralph a. kern , May 2, 2007

attitude

Sir.
it is one's attitude that makes other folks react to us because all people act with the samd faults, and only attitude affects the way other folks react. Hashem bless...

(21) Nic , May 2, 2007

I was not expecting that

I was expecting a commentary of people saying to Jews, --"oh, you don't look Jewish" because they did not fit the stereotype.

I used to not tell people I was Jewish. I did not think it made any difference. Then, while the intifada was on, I told everybody, one by one, because I was so very upset that people were murdering my people.

The reaction they gave me was, "Oh, you don't look Jewish", and "you don't sound Jewish".

Do all Jews sound as though they are from NY?

Their observation really bothered me, because Jews used to be able to point me out of a crowd.

I even looked back at the family album to see whether other family members also did not look Jewish. All I saw where Jewish sterotypes, in the total classice sense of the word. Long noses (not all), mostly dark hair, conservative look, no tattoos or earings and some with even skin colour that was quite dark-- not unlike some Arabs.

Then it dawned on me. They must have thought I was an Arab. Well, they would not have been too far wrong with that, because we are Sephardim, so of course we look like Arabs...LOL!

I wear the star of david around all the time these days, so there is no confusion whatsoever.

(20) Prumo Pagan , May 2, 2007

Yes, we are judged as a whole by your actions

My experience, (both positive and negative), shows that many others are willing to judge the entire Jewish people by my personal behavior and their perceptions of my actions.

(19) Yael , May 2, 2007

Jewish style="Here To Fix The World!"

Being Jewish is a responsible possition.Dressing in a way which makes it obvious your Jewish-is really saying "I'm standing up for who I am and what G-D wants of this world." it's like a poster sign saying "Here to Fix the world!"-and it feels great!

(18) Zipporah , May 2, 2007

Looking jewish

Looking (and be)jewish is certainly a big responsability. We have to pay attention at all our acts and words. It's really all that it is to be a jew. It's not a privilege, it's an important job we have taken upon us at Har Sinai, a covenant and we beter do it well. Kol Tuv. Zipporah- Antwerp.

(17) Sarah , May 1, 2007

Anyone is going to be judged now matter how they act. I think as far as being judged - people tend to latch onto an incident and then judge the group as a whole. That happens in lots of cases and not just to Jews - republicans, democrats, christians, jews, muslims...etc. Being affiliated with any group or religion is going to reflect back on that based on your actions.

(16) max , May 1, 2007

You decide

Over the years, I've been turned down as a renter because 1)I was white, 2)Jewish and 3) not Jewish enough.
As they say on FOX:you decide

(15) Esther , May 1, 2007

Don't judge us.

I do think that jews should act like jews especially when well known jewish garments are worn such as a kipah. We do not want to send the wrong message to anyone, but I do get really upset when people judge us a whole, it's just wrong.
Esther

(14) Elizabeth , May 1, 2007

I do think that we are judged as Jews, but people are judged no matter what. Although this is unfair, it is inevitable, I feel. The only thing are can be responsible for is to be Mikadesh Shem Shamayim.

(13) jake , May 1, 2007

yes they do

jews who dont act like jews should not dress like jews, or stop acting like they do. wearing a kipah for example.

(12) Anonymous , May 1, 2007

Im not jewish but i love judaism, however the last time that i was in Miami i visit a Synagogue and was truly dessapointed with one person that realised i was not jewish and treated me like a smeling skunk even in the face he had a disgusting look. I do not believe all jewish people are the same but certain individuals give judaism unfortunatly an ugly face,please fogive my sincerity and poor English.David.

(11) Anonymous , May 1, 2007

Most people remember the negative

Although we wouldn't want it this way, but unfortunately it's true. If people hear or see even one Jew (especially a religious one) do something that could be interpreted as "bad," he's bound to use him as a general rule. That's one of the reasons why we should be so careful in public, as we do represent the Jewish people, to some extent. As I once heard from a rebbetzin: make sure your kids' socks match when they go out! Those people who are observers should know: Don't Judge Jews, Judge Judaism! But most of them just don't.

(10) Ari , May 1, 2007

Not Funny

Whether one agrees with the attire or appearance of some of our fellow Jews or not, it is of no value to ridicule them in this manner. The mocking of hasidim as displayed in this video is no different than the vile language used by Don Imas in mocking/ridiculing the women of another ethnicity.

(9) Moshe , May 1, 2007

we are ambassadors

Every Jew is an ambassador of the Jewish people.Just as every country has it's constitution,laws,customs,protocal,etc...,so does the Jewish people.
Our constitution is the Torah and the laws are to follow the mitzvot.
If you look at history every single time there's been mass anti semitism,which is more accurately anti Judaism,it's when we don't follow the laws,G-d's mitzvot.
so yes,it is fair that people judge us by our actions.If ALL the Jewish people would see that,then all of us would be keeping the mitzvot properly and the redemption would be near.

(8) Peter , May 1, 2007

I Don't Get It.

I laughed, because it looked silly, but I don't get what the point was.

(7) Anonymous , May 1, 2007

Actions

Hi

I think that unfortunately the negative way in which some people act do affect everyone else.

(6) Nechama , May 1, 2007

It's unfortunate but all minorities are judged that way. Of course it's totally unfair but pay attention. Next time you hear someone say something about a minority because of the action of one person, speak up (do you have the courage to do so?)
The difference with Jews is that all through history, these judgements often led to violence and terrible persecution. Sometimes the Jewish "offender" was fabricated as in the case of blood libels.
From another perspective, we are commanded to glorify Hashem's name with our actions so we should consider how we come across for a positive reason.
May the Moshiach come soon and bring love to the whole world!

(5) Geoffrey , May 1, 2007

Honor Their Memory

When I was little, before school, I remember the local shop, the "Delicatessen", was owned by Mr Schwarzenberg. In summer he would wear a neat short-sleeved shirt, and I recall noticing numbers tattooed on his forearm. In my childish way, one day I asked him why he had numbers "written" on his arm? He rubbed them to show me they wouldn't come off, and quietly told me "From Auschwitz". I have never forgotten this sweet man, neither have I forgotten how the ignorant Goyim customers viewed him with scorn because he was a "Hun" -the fact he was Jewish, and a survivor of Hitler's horrors seemed to escape them, uneducated about the Shoah as they were (South Australia, 1960s) So, no, educate the non-Jewish world about Jewish life generally, and the horrors of 1933-45 particularly, so that they might be less likely to condone a repeat of the bigotry that ultimately led to "The Final Solution". Honor the memory of those who perished, and honor those whom we are fortunate to still have with us, who can remind the world that it happened to ordinary people, for no better reason than they were Jewish.

(4) Anonymous , May 1, 2007

Yes, that's just how it is. Jew have to aware constantly that they will be regarded according to the behavior they display when around non-Jews or even not yet frum Jews. And that behavior can be responsible towards the general attitude that they have to frum Jews.

Well, if everyone would take off their costume, then it wouldn't be such a problem. Unfortunately, the chilul Hashem can be so great when a jew doesn't behave properly.

(3) chana , May 1, 2007

People do judge, I do not think it's not fair

Especially those that have little or no contact with the Jewish people, the actions of one individual would most certainly represent the whole group. I don't think it's always fair because the actions of one person may not be a true representation -- like in the video.

(2) Fiammetta , April 30, 2007

It happens to everybody

In the very moment you belong to a "group" (a certain country, a certain religion, a certain sexual orientation) what you say and do can affect how people judge the entire group you belong to. Probably it is not fair, but people tend to generalize, maybe because labelling it's easier and faster than navigate the chaos of a billion different opinions that a single group may express.

P.S. Sorry for my bad english

(1) Eliav , April 29, 2007

It's true, it's fair, and it's meant to be that way

Being the "Chosen Nation" is not simply an opportunity to look down on the world with an inflated ego. It is an awesome responsibility. That responsibility manifests itself in many ways, not the least of which that the entire world is always watching what we do. "We" does not refer to Jews only as a group, but to each and every Jew individually as well. We should be proud of this, and take full advantage.
If the world can look at every misdeed and be quick to point it out, then they should be capable of learning from what we do right as well. Let's make sure that we're doing that, so that we can proudly proclaim that we have, indeed, been a "light unto the nations."