Jewish Assimilation
Here are some highlights from a recent Jewish gather-in led by Karen Rosauer in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia:
Being at the gather-in helped me see in a fresh light how assimilation and being upwardly mobile were necessary for the survival of my people.
Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia
Because I was raised middle class, I often make something into a “job that has to be done.” I’ve been using Karen’s direction to first acknowledge any feelings I have and notice that they are from early hurtful experiences. Then I can ask myself if I’m now able to consider that it’s possible to discharge the feelings by working on early memories. Taking a step back to actually let my mind consider this interrupts some of the harsh pattern.
In my family attention was placed on how others viewed us. We were told to speak nicely and not take too much food. The attention was on the more privileged status of others. Despite having many working-class friends, we were encouraged to believe that being upwardly mobile would make us safe in some way. The resulting hurts kept me separate from myself and others. Discharging them is helping me be close to many people I was never encouraged to be close to. I am getting a big part of myself back.
This gather-in gave me a fresh opportunity to notice the privilege I have had as a mixed-heritage Jew. I can discharge on how I’ve had a choice about whether or not I claim my Jewish heritage. I want to claim all of who I am and notice how having the choice to assimilate has contributed to my oppressor patterns.
Thornbury, Victoria, Australia
I was able to notice and discharge on the deep loss from assimilation in my family. Then suddenly I began to also discharge, with boldness, ease, and lightness, where I am oppressive. Suddenly I did not feel ashamed of who I am, and in that moment it was easy to fully face all of myself, to be myself. Thank you, everyone. It is only possible together.
Malvern East, Victoria, Australia
Reprinted from the newsletter of the
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, RC Community
.