I have a confession: I wear a kippah. And not just in synagogue either. All the time. Even in social situations. I didn't used to. In fact, for the first 36 years of my life I only wore one in synagogue. And even that was a rarity.
The phenomenon of the switch from "no kippah" to "everyday kippah" is most indelibly recorded by the reactions you get from friends, family and co-workers. These reactions range from "Why are you wearing that? Is it some kind of Jewish holiday again?" to "He's such a fanatic!" to "He wears it to hide his bald spot!" (I only wish I had thought of that when my bald spot first appeared 15 years ago!)
But my favorite and most subtle reaction came from a colleague whose eyes would dart back and forth between my kippah and me about 50 times during a 5-minute conversation.
A landmark dilemma of newfound "kippahedness" comes when confronting your first new work situation wearing the "traditional Hebraic skullcap," as one co-worker deemed it. This involves meeting with someone outside your current company and thus, outside of the group who saw your slow transition from secular guy to religious guy, and who asked all the questions about your new practices and actually seemed interested in the answers. Now you are venturing beyond the safe zone, out into the final frontier.
To kippah or not to kippah? That is the question.
For me, this "first contact" came while interviewing for a new job. What made it even more difficult was that it was a job I actually wanted! In other words, there was a lot at stake professionally. So, now I had to make a choice. One does not have to wear a kippah to work if it will prejudice his position in a negative way. So, I had an "out" if I wanted one. But should I take the out?
To kippah or not to kippah? That was the question.
Whenever I have these deep, moral questions, I always consult my wife. She's not just smarter and cuter than I am, she's a whole lot wiser. As usual, she had a brilliantly insightful response. "Well," she said, "if you're afraid that your new prospective boss may not like Jews or religious people in general, it's better to find out in the interview stage, rather than after you're working for them."
And with that, the decision was made. I would kippah.
Testing the Field
I arrived at the interview a few minutes early and went to the men's room to check my wardrobe. I looked pretty much the same as I had in all my other job interviews. Except for the circular addition atop my head. My kippah was clean and tasteful (I wouldn't be caught in public without a tasteful kippah!), but it was also a statement. A BIG statement. So standing there in the restroom, I hesitated for a moment and thought, "You can still take it off."
But then I realized that not wearing my kippah would be an even bigger statement. A statement about denial of who I am. A Jew. A religious Jew. So for me, going in without a kippah would be a statement that I am less-than-fully committed to those ideas around which I base my life. So, in I went – tasteful kippah and all.
The man who greeted me smiled and shook my hand. No eyes darting from my kippah to me, no jaw hanging down to the ground like in the cartoons. Just a nice "hello."
Early in the interview, he asked me, "What are you passionate about?"
"In business or in life in general?" I asked.
"Life in general," he replied.
I thought for a split second. Should I be really honest? Should I tell him what truly animates and motivates me in life? Or should I just give him the stock corporate answer that "a job well done and sacrifice for the company is what makes me tick"?
I opted for the former. I figured what the heck, he's already seen the kippah. Might as well be honest. Just go for it.
"My passions are God, family, community, and work. In that order."
I tried to soften the blow. "Probably not what a manager wants to hear! But don't misunderstand me. I work hard and take my job seriously. But it's a matter of priorities."
I looked for his response; any sign of shock or noticeable disappointment. I saw none. He simply smiled and continued the interview.
What is your passion in life?
We really clicked and the rest of the interview went great. But I couldn't help wondering what he thought of my answer to that first question. At the end of the interview, he asked me if I had any questions for him.
"Just one," I said. "What are you passionate about in life?"
(When I later told my friends that I asked him that, they were as shocked as if I had asked him whether he wore boxers or briefs.)
"Well," he said smiling. "It's funny. As I listened to you answering that question, I felt as if I was hearing myself answer it."
I got the job shortly thereafter.
Taking a Stand
In the end, going to the interview with a kippah, and answering the questions in an honest-but-not-politically-correct way, was not a heroic act. My in-laws who survived the Nazi concentration camps, my father who flew over 50 combat missions during World War Two – they are the true heroes.
Still, what I did made a bold statement. I took a stand for something I believe in. It became clear to me that if I am only a religious Jew in private, then what, if anything, am I really? If I never take a stand on anything, then I really stand for nothing. Indeed, maybe because my kippah and my words evidenced that I did stand for something, I stood out from the other candidates and got the job.
(45) rachel, June 3, 2015 3:51 AM
new support from the US Supreme Court
The Court just held that a clothing company violated the rights of a headscarf wearing Muslim woman because they denied her a job when she wore her headscarf to the interview. So if it is your practice to wear a kippah, by all.means wear it to a job interview knowing the law is on your side.
Sandy, June 4, 2015 2:08 PM
There's a difference
Rachel, There's a difference here. According to current law, the court is actually attempting to police the company's thoughts and demanding that they hire the woman despite their problem with her attire. Ross's story respected and even valued their free choice in the matter and recognized that he wouldn't want to work for a company that would have a problem with his identifying himself as an observant Jew. G-d gives us free choice. Should the government offer any less?
Tim, June 15, 2015 4:24 PM
That isn't the Case
Sandy, the case you mention was about Religious Accommodation. Abercrombie has a long history of questionable employment practices around hiring. The woman maintained that A&F should have realized that the headscarf was a sign of her religion, just like a person who wears a crucifix, a Chai, Star of David or a kippah. You can not discriminate in this country based on religion, period. Perhaps he wouldn't want to, but I am sure if you were discriminated against, simply for being a Jew, you would have an issue with it.
(44) Brian A.Donnelly, June 3, 2015 12:42 AM
All Christians should wear a kippah...........
Hi Ross,
I really valued your article and would love to share with you my support.
As a devout Christian, and therefore an ardent supporter of Israel and G-d's chosen people, I choose to wear a kippah to Church services on our Shabbat (Sunday) wherever that Church may be.
Many times people will ask me -"Are you Jewish ? " and my reply is generally based on "Who is a Jew ? But one who loves G-d with all his heart,all his soul and all his mind"
This allows me the opportunity to share the fact that, although I was not born genetically as a Jew. I am reborn spiritually as a Jew.
We worship the same G-d and obey the same Tanakh and for this reason we are privileged to obey G-d in supporting His chosen people. (Gen.12:3)
As we enter into these last days it is vital that ALL Christians decide which side of G-d they want to be on - are they amongst the sheep or the goats ?
Many more Christians are being blessed by G-d with this revelation and are loving and supporting our elder spiritual brothers and sisters - our Jewish family.
Shalom,
Brian A.Donnelly
(43) Ya'akov, June 2, 2015 11:56 PM
Kippah or No Kippah
So, Ross: Do you also NOT trim the corners of your beard and NOT trim the corners of your hair? (Lev 19:27). Also, do you have tzitzi on the corners of your all your garments? Do you keep Shabbos completely? Those are Torah commandments. Kippot is a Rabannic tradition, not a Torah commandment. But, if you wear a kippot at all times, then you really should keep all of the mitzvoth in Torah as much as possible. If you do not keep kosher (food and behavior) then the kippot means nothing to anyone, least of all yourself. Just a thought...
Ya'akov
Anonymous, June 4, 2015 2:10 PM
It's not all or nothing...
Aish has taught me that it's not all or nothing. To stand in judgement of others because they don't keep ever commandment perfectly is to diminish what they and you do in the affirmative. Sounds like you have a bee up your bonnet and it's not about Ross's religious choices.
(42) Avi, June 2, 2015 5:18 PM
They saw my kippah, not me
I wore a kippah in public and at at the workplace for many years. I stopped wearing it at the workplace because I found that a great many people responded to the kippah with their own assumptions and projections rather than to me as a person. Sometimes these were positive, other times negative, and sometimes just plain weird, but in any case their stereotypes seriously impacted my ability to navigate and be effective in the workplace culture. A woman who I supervised quit because she was convinced that I was sexist; a gay man who I supervised was convinced that I was homophobic; many colleagues in a workplace culture where people often used swear words constantly apologized to me about that. I am quite open about my orthodoxy at work but by not wearing a kippah I avoid triggering people's assumptions and make it easier for them to relate to me as a person rather than a stereotype. In retrospect I believe that I made the correct, for me at least, decision.
(41) Elisheva, June 2, 2015 5:11 PM
I wear a Magen David same reason
I wear a Magen David necklace every day for the same reason. I am proud of my heritage and love God, Judaism and my people. And I feel it is important to represent our people in a positive Light to the best of our abilities (as Charlie and Hadassh mention). To Mr. Hirschmann: Yasher Koach!
(40) Anonymous, June 2, 2015 4:57 PM
another experience
I had a cousin who was job hunting and wondered if his kippah was holding him back. He had an interview scheduled and debated if he should wear his kippah. He decided that that was who he was and opted to wear it. When he got to the company, there was a mezuzah on the door and a gomorrah shiur going on inside. He got the job.
(39) Anonymous, June 2, 2015 4:52 PM
To wear a Star of David/Cross or to not.
I am a Christian who was taught the bible through the Jewish mindset. I love wearing the Star of David when I remember G-d's covenant promise in Jeremiah 31 & 32 reiterated in Romans 11. However I realized that not all Christian's could stand an associated with the Jew & also how naive I was to think that just because a person had a cross claclassify's them as Christian . Or tthat they believed in G-d at all. In fact I don't know which one of the two generates more venom in the air.I wear it now knowing deep within me that while the word Jew or Israel or a Christian who believes in the authenticity of the Tanakh may not be accepted in certain circles, I cannot because of man deny Him before men. I am equally aware that not all Jews like Christian's but I am one who stands with the nation of Israel because I know that G-d always keeps His word. He is a covenant making, covenant keeping G-d. Like Dr Stanley says," Obey God and lleave the consequences to Him".
(38) Brian Stein, June 2, 2015 4:52 PM
Is the issue of a kippa at a job interviews more or less relevant 14 years later?
This is a very good article which doesn't fudge the issue the author was confronted with. However, in 2015, the world has changed. Articles proliferate the media on a regular basis about how much of the world reacts to Jews in their midst. Today, in a lot of Europe, I think you would need to consider very carefully the pros and cons of wearing a kippa to a job interview, I was in Paris after Pesach and in the Jewish quarter I saw Jews going about their business, still wearing a kippa and not hiding the fringe ends of their tzizis. Yet if you believe everything you read or hear French Jews worry about being openly Jewish. Not that I witnessed. I even asked them about it. They need to be vigilant but they need to continue living in their home. From my perspective what happened in Paris in January was an heinous aberration, perpetrated by an enemy in our midst that we have lost control over, if there was ever a time we were in control over them.
(37) Rich Cohen, June 2, 2015 3:29 PM
It all depends
I see this as part of a much larger issue: How much should you reveal about yourself at a job interview? My attitude is as much as possible to ensure the job will be a good fit both ways. Many people see the job interview as a sales action only. I see it as a fitness for use evaluation in both directions. If you wear a kip, you probably also have issues with working on Friday afternoons in the winter. You may also have issues with traveling out of town on Friday or over the weekend. If you are really desperate to get a job, perhaps hiding facts is best, If you want a job you will be happy with, get your issues out but do it diplomatically. I think you did the right thing and I'm glad you were rewarded for it.
(36) Anonymous, June 2, 2015 2:59 PM
Something to think about
When I took my wife to have the road test for her driver license, I advised her to hide the Mogen David she wears around her neck, because I didn't want her to be denied a license if the examiner was anti-Semitic. She did get her license, but several years later was involved in a serious accident that wasn't her fault (someone - another Jew! - rear-ended the car). She suffered a concussion, and the symptoms of headache and inability to withstand commotion still persist after three years. I've often wondered whether we're being punished measure-for-measure for hiding her Jewishness. Something to think about when you consider whether or not to wear your kippah.
(35) Ducky Webfoot, November 15, 2013 3:42 AM
Wear one and be fabulous!
I can understand the quandary, as a visible reminder of your race and beliefs "outs" you. As a person who is mixed black, I know that more is at stake by just showing up to the interview. Likewise a kippah can be much like skin color. If the interviewer has negative feelings about that group. Ultimately you wouldn't want to work with or for people who don't like you or your religion. It's better to know that if hired they will respect you and your beliefs.
I have to say, when I see a man with a kippah in public (on a non-holiday) I have respect for that person. Wearing it is an act of faith that should not let you be deterred by others to not do so. By wearing it, you are willing to be judged by others for your actions, to stand up for and be reminded of your own beliefs.
(34) Hadassah Ryklin, March 23, 2011 3:58 PM
Yes, let's stand for the truth
"do not be afraid" were the words addressed to Abraham our father! We have to stop being afraid of how people look at us, the Jews. I wear my kippah all the time. We cannot stop being Jews, even outside of our Synagogues and homes! We are who we are - the light to this world. So let us shine!
(33) Charlie, March 23, 2011 12:20 AM
Yes, wear Kippah
The world is waiting for the Jew to be a Jew. We've don't need more funny Jewish comedians or successful businessman or brilliant scientists - the world would love to see Jews who aren't ashamed of who they are. Be rejected Hashem will love you for it - You're being rejected because the world hates what you are doing - You're being a light and you're refusing to be covered. Jews are supposed to be moral lampstands. When will Jacob become the Prince of G-d that he was intended to be. May Israel live!
Anonymous, June 3, 2015 1:29 AM
To commenter #33 Charlie
I agree with you completely!
(32) aish alum, March 22, 2011 10:08 PM
re kippah @ work, i asked a rav what should be done
before my first job interview, i asked a rav if i need to always need to wear a kippah at work. he answered that if it may negatively effect my job and income, then it is ok to remove it. looking back, i came across so much anti-religious hatred, usually from non religious jews, not gentiles, OUTSIDE of work, that wearing a kippah in the office would have made no difference.
(31) Allen, December 3, 2008 12:53 PM
Yes, to wear, kept me out of trouble
Yes, I wear a kippah all the time and have been doing so for about two years now. Yes, it has been a point of concern during several job interviews, no I didnt get the jobs. B"H I think it kept out of potentially troublesome places. No one would know that I am Jewish especially since I dont have a quote typical Jewish name unquote. Maybe this is another reason I wear one because I am proud of who I am. One other thing, NO, I dont live in a major metropolitan area, actually there are very few Jews where I live and even less who attempt to be observant. Maybe this is another reason I wear one. Notwithstanding the reasons above it still reminds me that HaShem here, HaShem is there, HaShem is everywhere.
(30) aine, December 13, 2007 11:36 AM
Hooray for you!!!
I am not Jewish but have read the reason one wears a Kippah. I applaud your inner voice. If we all would be proud of what we believe in the world would be a happier place.
CB
Daniel, December 5, 2011 4:40 PM
This morning I woke up deciding to wear my kippah everyday. I figured hey I am a Jew and wearing my kippah should reflect my identity as such. I recently found out from my mother that I was Jewish. My family never practiced any form of Judaism and I feel it is up to me to rekindle the flame for me and my children. I've been studying and practicing for about 3 years now. Thank you for all of the above comments they really helped.
(29) Felisia Couto, May 6, 2007 8:15 PM
I went through the same dilemma!
Hello,
I am a Muslim woman, who even though I truly believed in God for a very long time, only recently started to cover my hair. My first occasion where I had to question to cover or not was a job interview as well.Before I covered my hair it started with prayers. I would tell them at the end of the interview that yes I was the woman they wanted to hire however I had two quirks: I had to pray 3 times during my work hours (10 mins each) and I didn't shake (or touch for that matter!) other mens hands. As weird as those requests may seem I was always greeted with a smile and the job. Yet when I started covering my hair it seemed much more difficult than just asking for some praying time. I am really happy to hear that you wore your kippah for God and that you were honest with yourself and the interviewer.
(28) Gary, December 18, 2006 1:21 PM
To Wear One - Nu, why not?
I worked in a US Federal government agency and have been wearing kippah daily for about 5-6 years now. I've never had one negative comment about it, even when I'm on travel to less 'metropolitan' or Jewish areas of the country. It's a non-issue for me and people simply view it as one aspect, amongst many, of me. Or, maybe those who don't like it know enough to keep their mouths shut. People will always find something to dislike about you - so, why feed into it or allow them the pleasure?
(27) John, December 10, 2006 2:19 PM
Wearing a kippah
B"H
When I visit Amsterdam, occasionally wear a kippah. I feel it's the right thing for me. And I feel very proud and nice. Though you're been looked at as if your'e an tourist-attraction.
Once I passed by a group of schoolchildren, well, I never felt so much looked at. A lot of people give me a nice smile aswell.
Though ofcourse thé reason of wearing my kippah is a religious one!
John :)
(26) Craig Elimeliah, August 3, 2006 12:00 AM
Kippa-not
I do not wear a kippa to work or on business of any kind, i have found that many of the people i meet will predetermine thinsg about me because of it. I am also a sephardic jew and our customs of wearing a kippa is not as strict as the ashkenazim so perhaps that plays a role. I feel that wearing a kippa in a non-jewish environment will only alienate and cause unneeded headache, I love how my friends who do wear kippas to work complain ALL the time about this one and that one and very often they hate that they ever wore one in teh first place, i wear one on the train and take it off then when i leave work i put it back on and go home, but in my field wearing a kippa will only aliente me and make things much harder to deal with...
(25) bill kase, May 1, 2006 12:00 AM
me too
on jury duty. wore kippa...asked judge & other attorneys foul language would upset others on jury.good clean trial..good feeling & judge pushed 4 early (winter) friday stop..stuck to guns
(24) arlene zilker, April 30, 2006 12:00 AM
who would not hire a man of great integrity.
sometimes we do not see the entire picture so clearly. His wonderful wife was there to advise him properly. besides, as I have told my own husband & sons, no man is more interesting & handsome then one who wears a kippah & tallis.
(23) Michael U, December 23, 2005 12:00 AM
I'm wearing mine today!
Hello,
I usually wear a baseball cap to work. This morning I couldn't find my cap. I have been wearing the hat in place of a kippah, to remember Hashem as I go about my business, to keep in at the top of my thoughts and remind me of my humility before the most awesome G-d. So I decided to wear my Knitted Kippah to work this morning. Most people know I am Jewish and proud. I talk about Hashem in the morning, and in the evening to co-workers. This is the Friday before Chanukkah and I feel the Jewish pride flowing inside me...
Shabbat Shalom!
Michael U
(22) I enjoyed the material, August 31, 2003 12:00 AM
I've thought about doing the same thing, but our cituations are a little differnt.
I live and work in a Christian community, one where prejudice is an everyday thing openly expressed; where difference, where religious beliefs aren't openly discussed, as equals. In this area if you aren't Christian, they'll try to force it on you. As friends of mine have expressed it would be better to be low profile, and not make waves, and cause injury to any one.
(21) ED, September 11, 2002 12:00 AM
Stand for something ,
[If we dont stand for something ,we may fall for any thing.]
(20) Anonymous, September 10, 2002 12:00 AM
Ross Hirschmann is at it again...
Another fantastic article by Ross Hirschmann! Ill bet he wears his kippa well.
(19) Brigitte, August 10, 2002 12:00 AM
being true to myself
I love his writing style. He is wonderful to read whatever the topic is. This article is about being true to yourself. It's great.
(18) Anonymous, June 3, 2002 12:00 AM
wear it with pride
trully inspirational,
really what it is like to be proud of your yidishkit. i only wish that many of my school mates would feel the same pride.
Kol hakavod
(17) Moshe Bender ben Avraham Avienu, January 6, 2002 12:00 AM
Is this realistic
Before I make the next statement - let me qualify it. Baruch Hashem for all that I have been given.
I work at an ultra-small community in the southwest college. Known for a 1950s mentality and a lot of cattle.
I would love to break out of this area and make a large sum of money to better myself and my family. On top of that - I would love to work closer to a larger community of Jews. There is only one other Jewish family in the small university town I live in.
I haven't been caught wearing my tallis katan yet ... but if I wore a kippah then I would be a marked man.
Does anyone know of a higher paying job (more than 30k a year) that is friendly to Jews? I am not joking? I am serious.
Moshe
(16) Steven Marlow, November 6, 2001 12:00 AM
I do not agree
Yes this does sound like a very nice story but statistically unpractical. It is common knowledge that people in general are biased so why put yourself in a position where you stand less of a chance. For example if you are walking down the street and you see a anti-Semitic march approaching then it is reasonable to say you should remove your Kippah and replace it when safely out of harms way. The same goes for this story. It would have been wiser to not wear the Kippah and commence to wear it when starting work. Then you would find out if your employer was anti-Semitic in which case you could be entitled to sue or live in the saying that you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. As all Jews know anti-Semitism is alive and kicking all around us and we should be shrewd enough to not be blind heroes
(15) Sandra Oirich, September 5, 2001 12:00 AM
Yes, wear it! - a recruiter and interviewer
I've been intervewing people for years. ALWAYS be who you are at the interview. A good interviewer will read you well and will get a good sense of who you are anyway. If you are holding something back, that will be evident to the keen interviewer's eye, and will leave a question mark. Your job should be a good fit, so be who you'll be every day on that day of the interview. Kol ha kavod!
(14) Gershon Lesser md, August 23, 2001 12:00 AM
authenticity is the soul of Judaism
Thank you sir for demonstrating once again that the journey must be along a road constructed of authenticity. Truth is what reflects the best within the human reach, and search. The wearing of the kippah did not reflect courage. It reflected honesty. The first passion this man states he has is God. Thus the first proof of his authenticity is the wearing of the Kippah required of him, even at his potential peril. He is authentic. This is the highest level he reaches other than participating in loving kindness, which was demonstrated in his selection of his other passions.
He makes a Jew proud.
(13) Anonymous, August 20, 2001 12:00 AM
I am going through the exact process right now!
I have been struggling with this issue for some time since, in the past, I did not wear my kippah to work. I have now been on two interviews with my kippah on. I hope that I don't bail out! Kol Hakavod to those who stand fast!
(12) Jonathan, August 16, 2001 12:00 AM
Keep on the Kippah
Ross hits the nail on the head 100% with this article. I know from personal experience that wearing it does present some interesting challenges (people pre-judging you as a fanatic, certain ethnic groups ID'ing you as an advesary/target, etc.) but at the same time it does make it easier to explain issues such as time off for Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays (one friend who doesn't wear one at work had a non-Jewish boss who answered his request with "if you're Orthodox, why do you hide it? Be proud!")
I can even testify that when traveling in the South I got (and still get) a positive reaction, and some extra-special treatment as well. While giving a technical seminar in rural southern Virginia, I actually had my uneaten trayfe rubber chicken plate at my seat replaced with a salad, fruit plate, and double-wrapped baked potato - talk about the unexpected! It turned out that the catering manager was a Bnai Noach who knew more about kashrut than many Jews.
(11) Terri Schlosser-McMichael, August 16, 2001 12:00 AM
To Kippah or not to Kippah
I loved this article. Even though I am female, I too have faced this same dilemna, only when choosing to wear my jewish star necklace. I feel as if i suddenly am wearing a sign that says: I'M A JEW...I WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING, CHALLENGE EVERYTHING YOU SAY, AND WANT A FAIR PRICE FOR EVERY PRODUCT I BUY...." I feel for the african americans who say they feel the staunch predjudice around them - When I wear my star, I do too. I feel as if every question I ask, the person on the other side of the counter is thinking..."she's jewish. That figures why she's giving me such a hard time".
When I don't wear it, I get such a different response.
So, I understand completley, and I adored the fact that he choose to wear it. See? It turned out wonderful in the end!
Terri Schlosser-McMichael
(10) evie wasosky, August 15, 2001 12:00 AM
Beautiful, enlightening story
This is a beautiful, enlightening story. Our orthodox youth of today should read it. It sends a very important message that we should be proud of our heritage and surround ourselves with those who respect that.
(9) Sharon Sparks, August 15, 2001 12:00 AM
Just a reply
I applaud Ross for earing his kippah to the interview, and his wife was right.
We have many Muslims living around us now and the women are required to wear their shawls on their heads. Some wear the robes even. They aren't as accepted as a Jew is wearing a kippah. The US is changing though, in this politically correct age. I would think a man in a kippah wearing a suit looks dignified
and would be more accepted at work. I'm a gentile so I haven't experienced religious persecution as Jews have. Because of this, it surprised me that a
man would be nervous about wearing his kippah to a job interview, or anywhere else for that matter. I imagine Jewish teens go through a period where they don't want to wear it. In our country I think that most gentiles see Jews as wealthier then they are and are jealous of them. The kippah identifies that they are a Jew and somehow different then other people.
Thankyou, by the way, for this site. I believe everyone can learn from the Torah and should live their lives as God has told us to do many years ago. It would solve all of the world's problems if everyone did.
Sharon
(8) Anonymous, August 14, 2001 12:00 AM
I'm in agreement with Ross's list of passions.
I enjoyed this article so much I decided to take a look at the other essays written byRoss Hirschmann. Maybe it's because his list of passions are the same as mine.
(7) , August 14, 2001 12:00 AM
Mr. Kippah goes to Wall Street
I also was faced with the same question when I became a Baal Teshuva (observant Jew). My decision was finalized as I rode the elevator to my job interview. "Leave it on or take it off" I said to myself as the floor approached. Happy to say, I left it on and was hired just the same. Thanks for a great article!
(6) J M, August 14, 2001 12:00 AM
Religious Clothing
I not Jewish or any other religion. I must say though that I really appreciate when religious people don their traditional gear. I love to see Jews with Kippah and tassles, carmelite nuns with their garb, the Sikhs with their daggers and turban etc. It adds so much color to everyday life to experience human religious aspirations and their expressions in clothing. Keep your Kippah!
(5) Jim Silver, August 13, 2001 12:00 AM
Kippah brought approachability
Everyone in the office new I was religious, ever since that first staff meeting where I sat nibbling on the contents of a Kosher can of tuna, while everyone else was eating peperoni pizza. But it wasn't a topic folks felt comfortable approaching me about...or that I felt comfortable discussing. Now that I wear it, people constantly are asking me Jewish questions (which is especially great when it's a fellow Jew I'm getting to educate). I've also had instances commuting, where someone has needed help...and then when I assit them they say, "I knew to ask you, 'cause I fugured with the little Jewish hat you got on you're a kind, G-d fearing person..."
(4) Lewis B. Ziman, August 13, 2001 12:00 AM
Great article.
You showed great courage, and I admire you for that. You are an unusual person, and Mary & I have great affection toward you.
(3) Benjamin Fleischer, August 13, 2001 12:00 AM
More to Judaism than a Kippah
I am a religious Jew and do not wear a kippah. As I recently stopped wearing it, I understand that it is difficult to change a part of your identity like that. By wearing a kippah, you identify as a particular type of person and a particular type of Jew. I do not want to be identified as either. I want people to meet Benjamin before they meet Benjamin the Jew. I think the author of the story was fortunate to have had such a color-blind employer. Life is not usually like that. In any case, a kippah need not be an important part of one's Jewish identity. Good deeds and mitzvot (in that order) are much more important.
(2) dicky van gelderen, August 13, 2001 12:00 AM
kippa no kippa yes
Leaving shul I sometimes forget taking off my kippa, and am showered with reminders to remove it-in germany it is still dangerous to show you are a jew, moreover many wannabe jews here think it is oh so chique to wear one and show they.re more jewish than the jews.
(1) M B, August 13, 2001 12:00 AM
After two years of contemplating if I should wear my Kippah to work, I finally did it out of the blue one day. Concerned what my co-workers / boss would say I walked in only to hear, "What took you so long?"