Research Paper On Jewish Culture Immersion

Introduction

This research project analyses the Jewish culture immersion. It also examines the various experiences encountered. According to Jewish culture, immersion is a ritual process whereby an individual converts into a new being. The act is conducted as a way of reversing one from the impurity state. I happened to have a guided tour to the synagogue as well as an immersion experience. What amazed me was what was practiced there was very similar to what is done in Christian rituals and services.

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When we visited the synagogue, we sat almost at the back because those who mainly participated during the service occupied the front sits. I had the expectations that the service would be very different, but I was surprised to notice it was very similar to the services I do attend of Christian faith. While in the service I noted that some women had a prayer shawl, but I only knew the significance of it after the lessons we had. Additionally, most of the men wore a yarmulke, which I later also learnt why they had it on. Upon having a cross-examination of the sanctuary, I also noted that the temple had an ark that held the Torah scrolls. The room also had a candelabrum (menorah). When the service began, the rabbi started by acknowledging the congregation by using the English language to greet them. After the traditional greetings that were in Hebrew followed by a song that welcomed the Shabbat. There were English translations made to the Hebrew language used.

The Jewish Shabbat morning worship happened on a Saturday and was termed as the Shabbat. During this worship service we recited prayer series known as Amidah, which entailed silent prayer when one was standing. Then seven sections of reading the Torah followed where each section honored members or us whom we were guest. We further praised God and enjoyed the rest of the service. However, at the end of the worship service all of us we were asked to go to the social hall for the blessings of the wine known as Kiddush. A hamotzi and Shabbat song were also done to bless the bread after which everybody got the invite to enjoy the light luncheon festive.

During the morning service I really enjoyed the singing. A woman and a man did the singing and made it so colorful. I noted that most of the songs conveyed a key message. The songs done in a common language that favored those who understood Hebrew and those who did not. In that day, a bat mitzvah was leading the service, and hence his child also served in the service as per the custom of the congregation. The children were a 12 years old girls who had being obligation to become a bat mitzvah and a boys who were 13 years old and was given the obligation to become a bar mitzvah.

The Jewish Woman Biographical Sketch

A Jewish woman presented as the one who had true womanhood. In this regard, the woman never practiced birth control methods and was quite submissive giving all authority unto the husband. There were no greater vocational or educational opportunities for this woman since most of her time was spent carrying out household chores or taking care of the children and family. However, with time changes began to take place and the Jewish woman slow began to divert from whom she was initially.

Evaluations During the Interview

The interview involved a Jewish culture woman, who according to me was polite and positively responded to the raised questions.

Membership Importance of an Individual in Jewish Culture

When an individual becomes a member of the Jewish culture, they get the opportunity to work with the Jews and closely interact with them. In this case, despite one's origin, the Jews take him or her as one of their own since they practice what do (Osunlana, 2015). Most importantly, one gets the opportunity to study and get a better revelation concerning the Jews culture. Thus, as long as one has the religious element of Jewish religion, then they can be Jews.

Positive Impacts of Belonging to the Jewish Group

When one becomes a member of the Jewish religion, there are many benefits which they can realise. First, one gets to understand the Jewish culture gully since they are taken through the lessons keenly by an experienced member of the Jews. Secondly, one gets to collaborate with other Jews and can be given support in case something happens to them, and they become needy. As a result, one gains the element of belonging to the group (Thomas & Schwarzbaum, 2016). Thirdly, with time an individual realises personal growth about the Jewish culture.

Negative Impacts of Belonging to the Jewish Group

Despite the benefits, there are some negative consequences that one is likely to experience when they become a member of the Jewish culture. These negative consequences include; despise since one is seen to know less concerning the Jewish religion. Additionally, a person can feel inferior especially when relating with those members of the group who have adequate knowledge concerning the culture (Sue et al., 2016). Similarly, some individuals could find it hard to adhere and adapt to the Jewish religion.

Effects of Membership in Jewish Culture to the Career, Education, Housing, Social Life and Geographical Location

Notably, when some people become members in the Jewish culture they are likely to change their career, social life, housing, education as well as social life. For instance, those who become leaders in the synagogue are forced to shift from their usual residents and live with other leaders in a specific place. As a result, such people may also end up relocating from their current geographical location to be in a position to serve effectively in the synagogue. Nevertheless, the dressing code of an individual joining the Jewish culture is likely to change since both men and women are required to dress modestly (Osunlana, 2015). In the same manner, the dressing code also tends to vary depending on the occasion, especially for the leaders.

Experience of One Having a Different Culture From the Jewish One

If in any case, a person happens to have a different culture from the Jewish one, he is likely to realise discrimination and oppression since he will do contrary to the Jewish practice (Osunlana, 2015). Jews in most cases do not like to interact with people having different cultural beliefs from theirs since they consider them as unclean.

Jewish Culture Attitude and Relationship to Majority Culture

When the Jews relate with individuals from majority culture they are very cautious to ensure they do not compromise their beliefs or culture. The urge to be cautious is brought by fear that such a large group could have the power to influence the Jewish religion practices (Sue et al, 2016).

Jewish Culture Attitude and Relationship to Minority Culture

When the Jews relate with individuals from minority culture they are not so cautious because they feel that such a culture cannot have the power to influence their culture. Actually, they find it easy to interact with individuals from such a culture because in most cases, they easily explain to them about their culture with no much objection from them (Marbley et al, 2011).

Jewish culture desire extent to assimilate majority culture values, lifestyles and attitudes?Reasonably, those in the Jewish culture do not have the desire to assimilate with the culture of the majority because they feel their values are not worth, but if in any case, they get to use them then they will easily adopt them too (Sue et al., 2010). Therefore, the Jews will in most cases identify and neglect lifestyles and cultures of individuals from other majority groups.

Jewish culture desire extent to identify with their own culture values, lifestyles and attitudes? Due to the passion, they have concerning their cultures; the Jews have a great extent of identifying with their lifestyles, values and attitudes everywhere they go or are represented (Thomas & Schwarzbaum, 2016). In this case, it is mandatory for a Jew to adopt other lifestyles and values which are against their beliefs and culture.

Jewish Culture Discrimination, Oppression or Racism They Are Facing Currently, or They Met?

Similar to what other cultures do, those in the Jewish culture also face oppression especially when they are in places where there are other major cultural groups. To date, Jewish still face persecution especially in regions where the religion is seen as a threat (Sue et al., 2016). Thus, innocent Jews continue to be killed or neglected in some parts of the world.

Contrasting and Comparing What She Said With What I Read in Journal Articles

The interviewee presented similar information to what I had read in the articles about the extent at which Jewish are passionate about their culture and how they are devoted to doing as per the requirements of their religion (Marbley et al., 2011). However, I had led that the Jews do not like associating with other cultural groups, whether small or large but the interviewee presented that they only feared and did not like the association with the broad cultural groups.

Factors to Consider When Offering the Interviewee Counselling or While Consulting With Her

If in any case, the interviewee needed counselling, then I would consider several factors. The factors would include; her age, interest in advice and my potential to offer her counselling in her presented area of weakness (Sue et al., 2010).

Social Justice Strategies to Utilise and Help the Person if He Was a Client Undergoing Discrimination or Any Form of Oppression

In case my interviewee would have been subjected to discrimination or any abuse then I would utilise strategies to show her that she had the freedom and the right to be in the region (Thomas & Schwarzbaum, 2016). Furthermore, I would also encourage her to express her grievances to any concerned authority body to ensure she is no longer a subject to oppression.

Reflection on the culture of African American and critically analysing personal; attitudes, beliefs, assumptions, and behaviours about a different group.

The African American cultural group is mainly made up of American who are blacks, and in most cases, identified as Christians. There is a belief that Black Americans have spiritual and religious practices that make them unique from other groups. First, this group of religious lifestyles forms their community life foundations (Osunlana, 2015). The cultural group also has many churches, and it is their practice to observe the Sabbath day holy as per the biblical requirement.

Moreover, the members of this culture are supportive and always come together to support those in need. These are done to accomplish what indicated that love your brother as you like yourself and be keepers of your brother. Thus, the needy in the culture group are always supported. Nevertheless, the group believe in life after death thus many devote themselves to serving their God and doing as per the scriptures requirement as a way of ensuring they are hopeful of the eternal life.

Arguably, even if the culture group comprises Christians, most of the members do not embrace Christian practices fully. As a result, some members in the group do contrary to the Christian teachings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Jewish culture is very reserved and requires all its members to strictly observe and maintain their the teachings. As seen, the members always did what they were required to do and these was evident in how they dressed appropriately and observed the rules which were set by the lea...