The recent kerfuffle around Whoopi Goldberg has once again ignited the perennial debate about whether the Jewish people constitute a race. The problem is that such distinctions are modern social constructs, and were invented long after the Jewish people came into being. Jews are not so much a race or a religion, but a civilization—a culture. As a culture, Judaism has its own laws, folk tales, myths, songs, and several similar—but not necessarily identical—religions. We’re a people, and any attempt to fit us into the little boxes designed for and by Western societies is destined to fail.
Jewish-Israel Blog Carnival aka Havel Havelim post Sukkot edition
Welcome to the September 29, 2013 edition of Jewish-Israel blog carnival aka Havel Havelim. This is my first time hosting the blog carnival, and most of the blogs below are new to me. Plenty of thoughtful musings to help us ease back into the routine after a month of holidays.