Wasserman Schultz calls Jewish intermarriage a "problem"

[Cheese Sandwich]

2015

Although she does not actively "oppose" it, she identified "assimilation" and intermarriage as problems.

"We have the problem of assimilation. We have the problem of intermarriage. We have the problem that too many generations of Jews don't realize the importance of our institutions strengthening our community..."

Comments and a subsequent clarification from U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston have attracted new attention to long-running concerns over the implications of interfaith marriage in the Jewish community.

Wasserman Schultz recently told a Jewish group that interfaith marriage is a "problem." On Tuesday, in a statement issued by the Democratic National Committee, she said she does "not oppose" it.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-wasserman-schultz-jewish-intermarriage-20150203-story.html

[dubyadiprecession]

1. She is speaking to a group that shares her faith, She is jewish you know...

Many other religious people feel that way about their own faiths, not just jews. I respect the individuals in the jewish community who wish to preserve their religious heritage.

[valerief]

10. That is no way for an elected official to speak. Inclusive my ass. nt

[Gothmog]

15. Tell that to my Rabbi

This is a major concern in the Jewish community. My Temple is fairly liberal and allows interfaith marriages but many temples do not because of the effects on intermarriage.

[whathehell]

35. I think you mean

the effects of intermarriage, not "on" intermarriage, right?

[still_one]

54. Hell, the position of the Catholic Church is that Catholics shouldn't marry outside their faith

That is their personal belief. No one is forced to follow that

Oh wait.......

It's ok, because the thought police are telling people what they should or should not think.

I tested this out on a different thread, and actually was alerted on:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1465802

Some of this type of thought process comes right out of the movie "Minority Report"

[6chars]

79. Why would anyone consider it a problem?

57% of people with one Jewish parent do not identify as Jewish, and the majority who do identify as Jewish are Jews of no religion, I.e. ethnic Jews. 72% of non orthodox Jews getting married are mwqrrying non Jews. I'm no mathematician but I can see how those who want the Jewish community ... especially its religious institutions ...to continue over the next century would see this as a problem. Dws is clear that this is not that the intermarried individuals are a problem or that goyim are dirty or whatever, rather the trend is a problem for the perpetuation of thhe jewizh community. The disagreement with dws I think comes from people who wonder why anyone should care if one community or another fades away.

[McKim]

2. Is This a Private Matter?

Was she speaking in her role as DNC chair, or was it a private gathering of Jews to talk about their faith and its future?
If she was speaking as DNC Chair, then it was not appropriate. She is probably a leader in the Jewish Community because of her political roles. But, really, as a Leftist and a Palestine Human Rights Activist, I have no problem with her saying this. This is a really private matter and it should stay private. I could be wrong. I do not like to see the press dig and delve into every private matter that a politician may have. People have a right to their own private religious beliefs and practices.

[jwirr]

3. I don't like this woman at all but in this I understand her.

What we used to say about racial intermarriage was not true because cultures can be entwined.

What has been said about religion is another thing. A religion is not just culture it is a belief system. And when two belief systems collide it can be a real problem. My Lutheran sister married a rastafarian (SP?) and it took them years to deal with the counter beliefs. After their divorce he has now become a Jew.

That does not mean that every religious intermarrage does not work. Many do.

[Gothmog]

16. Why do you hate Jews and the Jewish faith?

Do you want to come explain to the rabbis at my Temple why they are wrong to be concerned about this? They would love to talk to you and explain why you are wrong

[JonLeibowitz]

30. I suggest you re-read the post you are replying to.

[Gothmog]

41. I did

Why don't you re-read your post

[JonLeibowitz]

53. I did. Your response to jwirr still makes no sense

[George II]

4. She's still the DNC chair and will open the Convention in July.

Have you run out of stuff already so you have to go back more than a year now?

[elleng]

5. This is OLD, Feb. 2015, fwiw, in her local paper.

'Comments and a subsequent clarification from U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston have attracted new attention to long-running concerns over the implications of interfaith marriage in the Jewish community.

Wasserman Schultz recently told a Jewish group that interfaith marriage is a "problem." On Tuesday, in a statement issued by the Democratic National Committee, she said she does "not oppose" it.

Wasserman Schultz's use of the term "problem" isn't an unusual view; many in the Jewish community are concerned about interfaith marriage. But every utterance from the Democratic congresswoman, who represents a heavily Jewish district in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, receives scrutiny because she's the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.'>>>

[Cheese Sandwich]

6. Intermarriage isn't a real problem in America. If some people are concerned about their race or

culture being diluted, OK that's a certain type of opinion, but I just think it's dumb.

[whathehell]

7. I agree..

If Debbie's very concerned, maybe she could move to Israel.

[JudyM]

23. Ok, I'm Jewish and I am very much an American and am concerned about dilution, largely

because we lost a huge portion of our culture and people in the Holocaust. I treasure my Jewish culture. Should I move to Israel too?!

[whathehell]

33. 'dilution'?

Of what, bloodlines?

I Ithough Judaism was a religion, not an ethnicity.

[JudyM]

38. Of culture. Of traditions. It's more than bloodlines.

[whathehell]

39. Yes, we all have those..

but I suspect any other group expressing such negative
views on 'dilution' and intermarriage would be accused of something like racism.

[JudyM]

40. Really. You are demonstrating your own. "Move to Israel" is so transparently bigoted.

You think that's higher ground than telling people to go back to Mexico? Or you think we don't notice because it's DWS?

No. What you said is an antisemitic trope. And it's hurtful.

And then you layered on another: "any other group" wouldn't be treated as leniently as the Jews.
Take a look inside, please, if you really don't see this in your posts.

[whathehell]

42. Except I didn't say that...

I said she :"could", offering it as it as an alternative to someone who's a citizen of a country with a largely non-Jewish population and thinks asaimilatioin is a problem.


I've seen articles written by Israelis in Jewish newspapers
urging American Jews to expatriate to Israel for exactly that reason....Are they guilty of trafficking in an "anti-semitic trope" too?

[JudyM]

73. Please. Your suggesting she "could" move to Israel isn't even in the same category as Israel urging

People to move there. Who the hell do you think you're fooling!? You made 2 bigoted comments. If you had any honor at all you'd own it.

[whathehell]

75. 'Pease' yourself..

Last edited Sun May 29, 2016, 06:38 PM - Edit history (2)

It:s always instructive when someone pours on the accusations and name calling instead of responding directly to the content of your post.

I'm not :"fooling" anyone nor do I need to...There's no bigotry in my posts. If you don't like them, ignore is your friend. Goodbye.

[Ed Suspicious]

76. It's both I think, but you shouldn't move to the melting pot if you don't want to have those lines

commingled.

[whathehell]

78. I agree.

That was my point.

[MADem]

26. Diane Rehm....is that YOU?

http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/article/2015/jun/11/backstory-behind-diane-rehms-question-bernie-sande/

whathehell
7. I agree..
View profile
If Debbie's very concerned, maybe she could move to Israel.

That is just inappropriate.

[still_one]

56. Yes it is inappropriate, and a not so subtle meaning there. Perhaps they feel that American

Catholics who don't believe in marriage outside the religion should move to Rome?

I have seen similar insinuations directed toward others in Congress who happen to be Jewish

You are right, it is inappropriate

[MADem]

61. I am appalled at this thread.

I am rocked back on my heels at some of the commentary here. It's completely unsubtle, but it's "OK" because it is aimed at someone the "Brigade" doesn't like.

We know, full well, that if the person making DWS's observations were Bernie Sanders, that anyone coming back at them with some of the snide insinuations I've seen in this thread would be blown out of the water. There would be screeching, screaming, rending of garments, demands for frog-marching, etc., etc., and so forth.

I recall when Diane Rehm talked about Sanders' "dual Israeli citizenship" and the Brigade wanted her head on a pike. "How DARE she!!!" But I guess it's OK to say those sorts of things if the target is someone other than Bernie.

Situational outrage, to be sure.

By their words we are certainly getting to know them, I guess. smh!

[still_one]

62. Excellent points. Kick & Rec This^^^^^^^^^

[elleng]

8. Generally, yes,

but it IS an issue in the Jewish community.

P.S., I am Jewish, married a 'lapsed' Catholic, celebrated all holidays so daughters saw it all, but didn't attend synagogue. Daughters attended Catholic elementary and high schools because available DC public schools not suitable. Daughters identify as 'Jewish.' Their kiddies, little now, will celebrate ??? They DO Chanukah/Christmas, and 'Eastover.' Same I think for my landlord's family, with triplets! Just finished their first college year, so we shall see.

Our culture is strong; 'religion,' maybe not so much.

[whathehell]

34. You say "The culture is strong, the religion maybe not so much"

Can you describe the culture independent of the religion?

I don't see it.

[elleng]

46. Celebrating holidays together,

honoring education, enjoying special foods, enjoying music and arts together, honoring ancestors lost in many wars/battles due to religion, these things off the top of my head.

[whathehell]

77. Yes, but the holidays,

Last edited Sun May 29, 2016, 06:39 PM - Edit history (1)

along with much of the food, is based on religion, no?

I would say that honoring education. music and the arts is not unique to Jewish people, nor is honoring ancestors who've died as a direct result of ethnic/religious discrimination.. Just my thoughts.

[maddiemom]

12. I'm a senior citizen and can remember when the parents of my Protestant friends didn't want

their kids dating Catholics and vice-versa (someone Jewish? Usually beyond the pale on both sides). Most of my family, on both sides, were not very religious, and we already had a mix of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish among our relatives over several generations. I grew up in the Fifties and Sixties knowing this was unusual in my small town/suburban area. By college, however, I found there were others like me (wow). Although nominally Protestant, I married a "fallen away" Roman Catholic whose family couldn't have been more welcoming. A Protestant school friend married an Eastern Orthodox Catholic. (they cross themselves the other way). When our daughter entered elementary school after a Montessori, multi-cultural preschool in a college town, she felt funny because "everyone else went to church." Her Dad asked if I minded if she went through the Catholic thing, and of course, I didn't. I now have an adult "Catholic" daughter who loves the holiday ceremonies like midnight mass and otherwise rarely attends church. She is also a kind, caring, and open-minded person. Religion had little to do with it. I'm amazed this should be important today.

[Gothmog]

17. Sanders does not attend services and is not observant

As a former board member of my Temple, this is a major issue that the Rabbis raise three or four times a year.

BTW, Sanders visited Liberty University on a High Holy Day which had many people in my Temple very upset.

[silvershadow]

19. Yeah, well, he is running to be President of all people, not just those of any particular faith. nt

[Gothmog]

25. I saw that Sanders has done poorly in exit polls with Jews

Having surrogates like Cornel West does not help nor does it help when Sanders make a speech to Liberty University on a High Holy day

[MrMickeysMom]

22. Oh, come on...

I wonder how "many", since "many" admit to only attending during High Holy Days.

[Gothmog]

24. So you are an expert on Judiasm and the Jewish people?

That claim is amusing

[MrMickeysMom]

28. Why should it be?

[George II]

50. They're really digging to find "dirt" on anyone who gets in the way. I hear she said...

...."shucks" when she was in high school. For shame, for shame!

[Lodestar]

11. The right wing conservative Jewish establishment in Israel and U.S. is

very concerned about Bernie. I've read a few articles in Jewish culture
magazines and the headlines are very anti-Bernie because they fear he
will be too pro-Palestinian or at least not pro-settlements. Israel has
taken a very hard turn to the right in many ways.

I wonder if Schultz is aligned with them.

[Hiraeth]

13. wonder how this affects decisions government/political/legal wise ....

[Cheese Sandwich]

18. Does it license right wingers to start talking about the "problem" of intermarriage?

I wonder if talking about the problem of intermarriages sort of might legitimize the idea that intermarriages are a problem.

[Hiraeth]

21. sounds like a personal problem, to me

[Gothmog]

14. This is a topic at my Temple at least three or four times a year

The rabbis preach this sermon three or four times a year at my Temple. It is a big topic at most Temples

[GoneFishin]

20. When some right wing groups espouse seperation of races and cultures it's creepy. I don't know what

to do with this, but it seems to have some of the same elements.

[whathehell]

36. Yes..

It sounds vaguely racist, I agree.

[DonCoquixote]

29. er Debbie

Your Boss Hillary has a daughter that married a Jew. Speaking against intermarriage might upset Chelsea. Hypocrisy much?

[Behind the Aegis]

31. So what?

I really dislike the over analyzation of the Jewish community lately. Many minority communities have discussions about assimilation, it isn't just limited to Jews. Jews are far more than a religion, and many like to ignore or even discount the ethnic component because it doesn't fit their little hate-filled narrative. DWS may be a putz, but she has a right to speak out on Jewish issues.

[whathehell]

37. Let me ask you a question..

What's with "they ignore or even discount the ethnic component because it doesn't fit their little hate-filled narrative".

Say what? I am not understanding you...First of all, who is "they" and what is "their little hate-filled narrative"?

I'm confused, because on numerous occasions, I've heard Jewish people,, even Orthodox Jews, say that Judaism is a religion, not an ethnicity.

[Behind the Aegis]

43. "Judaism" is a religion.

A "Jew", however, can be a religious designation, an ethnic designation, or both.

"They" are the anti-Semites who ignore the various components of Jews to excuse or even justify their anti-Semitism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnoreligious_group
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews#Ethnic_divisions

[whathehell]

44. Further clarification, please..

Who are "the anti-Semites who ignore the various components of Jews to excuse or even justify their
anti-semitism"?

I ask because the only people I know who have claimed that being Jewish is a religion and NOT an ethnicity, are Jews themselves. I don't imagine they are anti-Semites.

[Behind the Aegis]

45. I don't know how to make this any more simple.

"Judaism" is a religion.

"Jewish" is an adjective describing someone who practices Judaism or is a Jew.

"Jew" is a noun which refers to a person who is religiously, ethnically, or both Jewish.

So "being Jewish" generally does refer to religious practice. "Being a Jew" can refer to religion or ethnicity.

I suggest you read the links I provided. And yes, Jews can be anti-Semites, and just because they aren't including ethnicity as a descriptor doesn't mean they are anti-Semitic, maybe just not knowledgeable.

"Anti-Semites" are bigots who espouse anti-Jewish rhetoric or stereotypes, such as "Jews are more loyal to Israel" or "Jews should "go back" to Israel." To be clear, those aren't the only examples of anti-Semitism.

[MADem]

47. +1.

I can't believe this thread has been allowed to continue on.

If a Clinton supporter were the one saying "Bernie Sanders 'COULD' go back to Israel" this place would be on fire with outrage and the noise from the splash from the perpetrator being tossed over the side would be heard across the oceans.

This thread is persisting because there are posters here who don't like DWS, and they will excuse anti-semitic tropes because they don't like her.

I'm appalled at this thread. smh.

[awoke_in_2003]

49. +1000

It shouldn't be a hard concept to grasp. I think some are just playing that way to rail on DWS, whom I don't really care much for.

[still_one]

51. We are talking a personal religious belief, not someone imposing that belief on anyone else.

As I said, if someone want to criticize the Democratic chair, at least criticize her on something relevant.

The fact that the OP choose this point to be critical of the Democratic chair, implies at the minimum, an anti-Jewish sentiment.

[whathehell]

80. You don't need to make it "simple", only clear, and not

to me, it seems, but to the many other Jews who appear to disagree with you.

In addition, I'm well-versed in the difference between nouns and adjectives, so take your
condescension elsewhere. I'm done here

[still_one]

48. Thank you BTA. There are a lot of not so subtle insinuations that have been tossed about

There are Catholics who don't believe other Catholics should marry outside their religion, unless the other person converts to Catholicism. In fact, that has the position of the Catholic Church for sometime now.

In fact there are a lot of religions who are of the view that someone should not marry outside their faith.

Does that mean if a Catholic holds that position, that person isn't qualified to hold certain position?

We are talking a personal religious belief, not someone imposing that belief on anyone else.

If someone want to criticize the Democratic chair, at least criticize her on something relevant

[6chars]

58. Thank you!

The over analyzation of the Jewish community is a fetish. It is not necessarily a good thing to be the object of someone else's fetish. And also, as you say, far more than a religion - duh, yeah. What really sucks is there are 500x as many non-Jews as Jews, so this fetish and the need to explain to them all the time what Jews are, why Jews do this, etc. is pretty exhausting - in fact impossible. Time to let it be.

[marble falls]

32. I know antisemites who feel the same way she does: assimulation and intermarriage is a big...

problem.

[George II]

52. Did you bring this up more than a year ago when she first said it?

[Cheese Sandwich]

55. People should marry whoever they want of any race, ethnicity or religion, and it's not a problem.

I was surprised to hear her call it a problem.

What's that reasoning behind that anyway? Why is it a problem? Is she concerned about preserving the culture or is it like to protect the bloodline or something? I'm genuinely curious as to the reasoning behind this.

[George II]

60. Why is this an issue for you now but wasn't an issue for you more than a year ago?

If you were "genuinely curious as to the reasoning behind this" why not do some research into the reasoning behind people's thought on the matter instead of posting a year-old video on DU?

[Cheese Sandwich]

64. It's not an issue for me. I support all interracial couples and stuff like that.

They have enough challenges and bigotry to deal with.

[George II]

66. Okay, let me try this (since you're evading the question) - why is this something you needed....

...to bring up now, in the midst of a primary campaign over which DWS is presiding and just before a Convention over which she'll be presiding, instead of 15 months ago when she said it?

[highprincipleswork]

57. Gee, do you think this is in any way is a veiled barb at Bernie and Jane Sanders?

I just finished reading at how Jane is being attacked by other Hillary supporters, so that helped give me this thought. However, kind of make sense doesn't it, you know, in that reality has a distinct pattern to it.

[Cheese Sandwich]

59. I doubt it because this happened over a year ago before Bernie got big

But it certainly does apply to them.

If DWS sees this kind of marriage as a problem it could explain if she has some personal hatred of Bernie and Jane Sanders .

[MADem]

65. SMH. This is incredible that you would even say this.

Do some homework.

UGH.

[highprincipleswork]

68. Perhaps chill?

[MADem]

70. Yeah, because this kind of commentary is OK?

I don't "chill" in the face of this kind of talk. Sorry if you can't "deal."

Why don't you perhaps do some homework--start here: http://brandeiscenter.com/

[highprincipleswork]

71. While you're on your very angry high horse, perhaps you will pause a moment to calmly explain

just why and how for you what I said was so earthshakingly bad? Other than that I fucked up and missed the date on which she said what she said.

[MADem]

72. Perhaps YOU need to pull the string and see to whom I was speaking

when you interjected with your "chill" crap?

Hint: It wasn't you. At least follow the conversation before you snark.

[highprincipleswork]

67. Thanks for correction.

[MADem]

63. Check the date. Sanders wasn't even in the race

when DWS made these remarks IN A RELIGIOUS setting, not as a Congresswoman. This is recycled information, and the not so veiled insinuations being made in this thread are ugly.

So what was that about "reality?"

And Jane is (or was) a Catholic, so not sure where you are even going with that train of thought.

[highprincipleswork]

69. Reality is reality. I'm not concerned about it.

[MADem]

74. Well, your notion of reality has nothing to do with actual reality.

DWS's private comments predate Sanders' arrival upon the scene.

One has nothing to do with the other.