Inspired by Joanna Brooks’ AskMormonGirl blog, and with her encouragement, I’m launching AskJewishGirl. Ask me anything at all about Judaism, and I’ll do my best to answer it. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll ask someone more knowledgeable, do a little research, or point you in the direction of the research.
My credentials: I have a good Jewish education, an intense interest in interfaith dialogue, and a deep belief that if we talk to each other, and truly listen, we could accomplish miracles.
I’m a Los Angeles-based writer of fiction and am working with my writing partner, Gail Upp (really her name) on a mystery/romance, World Enough and Time, which is the first of a projected series featuring famous people from the past in the fields of art, literature, music and mathematics, who are transported into the world of 2081. I’m also a singer, presently with Canterbury Choir of All Saints Church in Pasadena, Vox Femina of Los Angeles, and the Gregorian Schola of Los Angeles. To keep up with my singing and writing life, visit me at SharonSings.
Barukh hab’a–welcome and shalom!
AskJewishGirl 
I’ll immediately grab your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription
link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I
could subscribe. Thanks.
I don’t have an email subscription or newsletter service. I’m presently designing a website, which will include a newsletter. So for the meantime, this blog is it for questions about Judaism, and my other blog, Sharon Sings and Writes (http://sharonsings.wordpress.com) follows my adventures in, well, singing and writing. By all means follow one or both and send me your questions. Welcome!
Having read this I thought it was really informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together.
I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting.
But so what, it was still worth it!
I think the “family traditions” idea of Jews being democrats dates back from the 60s, when many were quite involved with the civil right’s movement. Of course one can’t make assumptions about a religious group’s political affiliations–Catholics are a great example. Many are also Democrats, yet their stance on abortion, etc, can square them with the current Republican party, Another factor is how much the Republican party has changed over the decades…it is far more conservative now, both socially and economically, than it was in Reagan’s time and before.
An excellent response. And “family traditions” can go even farther back, to religious, cultural, and even just plain fun traditions for each family, often extending to political and social activities.
I can’t find a way to comment on the blog itself, so will leave it here. Thanks for the short but information packed answer to my questions. I know a lot more than I did before . . . .
Oh dear, a political question. Just like everyone else, there are liberal Jews, conservative Jews, and every stripe in between. And yes, family traditions do have something to do with it. I have met liberal Republicans who seemed to be Democrats (or Libertarians, or Green Partians) in every way except their party affiliation. Think of Olympia Snowe, who is a Republican Senator from Maine, but who has frequently supported liberal causes and bills in Congress.
So with a big sigh, I am forced to say that politics is frequently just as confusing as religion, just as divisive, just as cohesive, just as frustrating. My recommendation would be a nice bowl of chicken soup. It won’t solve anything, but it will make you feel better.
AskJewishGirl:
Something has always stumped me about my Jewish friends and maybe you can explain. I am a good Mormon boy, but I have several close Jewish friends. They are very family oriented, are generally strongly supportive of the sanctity of life (although they do not necessarily agree with Pro-Life politics), the are strongly supportive of the capitalistic system that makes the US economy great (they don’t demonize rich people or think “they” are the problem.), they are against big government, they don’t approve of welfare “handouts” (but do want to support the widows and orphans, so to speak.), etc, etc. In other words, if you knew nothing else about them, you would call them, “a Republican”.
But strangely enough, and here is where I am puzzled, they are almost universally Democrats. I don’t understand it. I have asked them the question and usually get a confused answer about family traditions, etc. But why the family traditions…when it seems that the traditions all support the planks of the Republican party.
Help.