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Essay On Jewish Cultural Immersion

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Jewish Cultural Immersion: Through my Eyes To become an effective counselor to Jewish Americans or any race or diverse population is to be aware of one’s thoughts and opinions concerning racism and racial advantage, as well increase knowledge of culture’s different from oneself (Hays & Erford, 2014). Jewish Americans are referred to those Caucasian individuals who have immigrated to the United States from another country, such as Eastern Europe (Hays and Erford, 2014). In this paper, I will identify and provide a description of the Jewish population and how they differ from myself in a variety of ways. Additionally, I will provide a reflection of my immersion into the Jewish culture via my observations and highlight what I have learned …show more content…

I never asked why she felt that way, I watched “Seinfeld” and never really formed any negative associations towards Jewish individuals, I viewed them no differently than other individuals. However, I had no exposure to their culture or understanding of the differences between myself and them. I was watching a home improvement show and the individuals wanted a kosher kitchen, and I had no idea what that was or why. I was not aware their cuisine The knowledge regarding the Holocaust was taught in school and as a student, it was necessary to read The Diary of Anne Frank. I found it shocking that Hitler managed to order those individuals under his rule to believe anti-Semitic beliefs and kill so many Jewish people. I am Caucasian, not really any different from a Jewish individual and I could not imagine being forced into a concentration camp to work, starve, be beaten, and killed because of my culture. On some levels, I relate the Holocaust and the Jewish population to the African American battle with slavery. In my opinion, both races were treated unfairly and the results have negatively affected many generations of both populations. What made this assignment difficult for me is that I do not know any Jewish people. I was not aware there was a Jewish synagogue found in Beaumont, Texas, twenty miles from my home. Additionally, I was not aware that Houston had a museum dedicated to the Holocaust either. Furthermore, I am ashamed to admit I was not aware that Jewish

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