Exploring Jewish Ethnicity and Culture L
ike most world cultures, the Jewish community has its own set of traditions, customs and beliefs. However, Jews are not only part of a deeply spiritual culture, but also a people who can trace their origins back to Abraham. In this way, Jewish culture and Jewish ethnicity are inextricably linked, creating a unique, richly vibrant community that has a strong presence in Northeast PA.
“Ethnicity is part of Jewish culture itself,” explains Rabbi Moshe Saks, who is the spiritual leader at Temple Israel of Scranton. “If you’re born to a Jewish mother, don’t keep kosher or follow the Torah or participate in the community in any way, you still have the right to be buried in a Jewish ceremony.” Though some members of the Jewish community simply join through conversion, others can follow their roots back through centuries. Why is the Jewish community distinct in this way? Rabbi Saks explains that Jewish heritage originates with Abraham, the first Hebrew, who lived in the Middle East. Judaism spread through Abraham’s descendants, who scattered far and wide over the next few centuries due to conquest and political turmoil. In this way, Judaism was split into two distinct groups: the Sephardic Jews and the Ashkenazic Jews. Those who settled in Babylonia after exile in 70 BCE lived amicably beside Arab neighbors in North Africa. These Jews took on customs of Arab culture and followed the Moors’ conquests in Spain and Portugal. Today, they are known as Sephardic Jews, a word that is derived from “Spain.” The Ashkenazic Jews, who instead traveled to Rome, became accustomed to European traditions. They settled largely in France, Eastern Europe and German, and their name can be translated to “Germany.” Today, the majority of Jews in the U.S. and Canada are Ashkenazi, including Rabbi Saks. The population in Israel is about half and half. 66
Both Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews follow the same teachings, but their traditions and customs have been influenced by history and locale. For example, Ashkenazic Jews traditionally name their children after deceased relatives. However, Rabbi Saks says, “A Sephardic Jew would never name their child after a deceased relative; it would be seen as a bad omen.” Instead, Sephardic Jews name their children in honor of living relatives. Another key difference between the two groups is seen in the type of food they eat during Passover. While both groups do not eat chametz, grains such as barley and wheat, only Ashkenazic Jews abstain from eating kitniyot, or corn, millet and legumes. The differences in culture extend to worship as well. “In a Sephardic house of worship, all action takes place in the middle,” Rabbi Saks explains. “However, for the Ashkenazi, who were influenced by their European