Critical Dialogue (Journal 1)

My motivation for becoming a Jewish Studies major was very different than it was for my other college work. I have already graduated from college. I already have a career. My existence now as a Jewish Studies major has nothing to do with practical matters I suppose, but is very personal. Given that I am a Jew-by-choice (an adult who “converted” to Judaism), I did not have the typical Jewish education that many Jewish children have. Therefore, it is very significant for me to take advantage of the opportunity to take courses at Ohio State that enable me to build my knowledge and understanding of Judaism.

The Living Jerusalem course is the first course I have taken in my program of study for Jewish Studies. While we are not that far along yet in the class, one of my first observations is that the readings have not represented a particularly Jewish narrative. They have told important “facts” from Jewish history, yet I have not heard a very strong Jewish voice or Israeli perspective about why contemporary decisions were made. (I am thinking again of parts of the Dumper article here).  Similarly, I have read histories, but not personal stories that truly capture the meaning that Jerusalem holds historically for the Jewish people. I feel as if we are looking at the outlines of the buildings, but not noticing the footprints.

And some of those footprints are ours. No matter what our religion or relationship to Jerusalem, we have to ask and articulate…what is our relationship to it…why are we looking at it? Why are we speaking about it? What gives us the authority?

That being said, I am glad that this class approaches Jerusalem through a recognition that it is a multiplicity and that it has multiple voices. It is a contradictory, diverse, divergent, complex place. I see all of these things not necessarily as liabilities. I do believe that through critical dialogue, not just any kind of discussion, that change can occur. I see courses like this one as amazing opportunities for that type of change. Even the practice of taking trips to Israel is a perfect example. If we all simply attach ourselves to our religion’s tour group, we repeat the same narrative. If we travel together we are challenged to entertain other perspectives. Even a small shift in perspective resulting by the question such an encounter could raise is meaningful for me.