Most Jews in America, from Orthodox to assimilated and everything in between, seem to view the world not as it is but as it was – 50, 60, or 70 years ago.
I write as an American Jew with 14 years (and counting) of service in the U.S. military, nearly half of it active duty. I’ve had two mobilizations and a dozen little call-ups since 9/11 alone. I’ve been to Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Greece, Kuwait and Iraq.
I’ve had the unique experience of living as an observant Jew in a contemporary U.S. military society. I’ve had to eat, sleep, patrol, argue and laugh with thousands of Christians. And my experience has been almost all good.
My fellow servicemen often ask me questions about Judaism. Most have never really been exposed to Jewish religion and culture, though of course they’ve seen plenty of Jews on TV. I patiently answer their queries – “Jewish men pray three times a day?”; “What’s a bracha?”; “Are the Seven Noahide Laws like the Ten Commandments?” – and they appreciate the opportunity to learn new things.
Christians are both surprised and unsurprised by my responses. They’re surprised that the liberal Jews in Hollywood and the media differ from me. They’re unsurprised when they realize my answers make sense for a committed Jew.
So it dismays me when I return to civilian life and find that many Jews are living firmly in the past. For example, they believe that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, American Christians are by and large anti-Semitic. They’re convinced that the tens of millions of American Christians who actively support Israel and other Jewish causes do so solely out of a desire to convert Jews.
Confusion and suspicion reign. Many Orthodox Jews are unaware of the difference between the terms “non-Jew” and “Christian,” often using them interchangeably. In extreme cases I’ve encountered surprise that a Jew can even have a civil conversation with a Christian.
Orthodox Jews are hardly the only ones suffering from such myopia. Liberal, secular Jews don’t even realize that conservative Christians actually support Israel more than they themselves do. They believe “right wing” means narrow minded, yet they refuse to consider any opinions outside their own ideological world.
Just about every evangelical Christian serviceman I know believes America is obliged to stand by Israel or God will no longer support us. These Christians constantly refer to Hashem’s promises to Abraham.
Military life is not perfect. Nothing is. But I find it fosters an atmosphere ideal for an open exchange of ideas and beliefs. Just the other evening here at Fort Gordon, Georgia, I spoke about the presidential campaign with a young black soldier. He supports Barack Obama and explained why he does, from his perspective as a black man. I in turn told him of my misgivings about Obama from a Jewish vantage point.
We didn’t get excited or angry. We took it for granted that each of us would vote on the basis of his interests and principles. (It’s when I speak with Jews who support Obama that I really argue).
I heard him out. He said we should leave Iraq sooner than later; I agree with the ideal. He said Obama’s campaign based on “change” is meaningful, since most Americans are tired of Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II. I couldn’t disagree. In fact, I told him I admired Obama’s ability to inspire and communicate – no small qualities in those who aspire to leadership.
I also pushed the envelope with the young black soldier. I said if a white candidate belonged to a church like Jeremiah Wright’s, the media would have harassed him until he stepped down.
The young man thought about what I said. He didn’t accuse me of being a racist, like white liberals would. He even agreed with my point about how the media would treat a white candidate who belonged to a church whose pastor spewed racist and anti-American vitriol. And he did so with a wry smile; white liberals would just tell me to shut up. He’ll still vote for Obama, which I don’t begrudge him. We parted with a handshake.
My years of military service make me glad of two things. Not only have I had the opportunity to explain Jewish views and concerns in the ranks, but back at my civilian shul and kehillah I get to relay the views and concerns of military people to Jews who otherwise would never have heard them.