Jewish identity studies often present complicated findings because Judaism is interconnected with overlapping aspects of culture, religion, ethnicity, education, and connections to Israel. Therefore, there is a need to study Jewish identity as a multi-layered occurrence in the context of the dominant cultures in which they thrive. Anti- Semitism, Zionism, Shoah, and Israel are key aspects expressing the contemporary Jewish identity and practices such as choice and freedom, peoplehood, and religion have been interlinked with personal and group identification of Jews. Ideally, several typologies, comparative studies, theoretical, philosophical and creative writings offer varied concepts and ideas about the Jewish identity (Cohen, 16).
Historical continuity, choice, and the traditionalist Jews codes, when employed as key practices, can play a crucial role in sustaining the Jewish identity. Traditionalist Jews are often selective when it comes to the essential and less essential practices of religiosity. Though parallel to the strict Orthodoxy, the selectivity results from a sense of individual obligation to the Jews as well as their continuity. Therefore the Jews have to observe the essential practices to preserve the Jews and their cultural traditions (Yadgar, 408).
Considerations regarding the reconstruction of the Jewish identity are subject to investigations by many followers of the Shoah faith. Zionism and the Holocaust have been viewed as crucial aspects of maintaining the Jewish identity. Jewish survival remains of religious importance because it was significant even before the Holocaust. Besides, the Jewish identity is significantly shaped by the history of anti- Semitism and the sufferation of the Jews, both individually and communally (Malamet par. 4).
The national cultural and educational systems of the Jews impact their identity in many countries. Comparative studies highlight these observations in relationship to the political developments in Europe and the Soviet Union. Some of the events and developments affected the cultural, political, and ideological dimensions of the Jewish population. Additionally, some researchers have questioned the future of Judaism in the Diaspora as well as the challenges that the Jewish identity research poses (Cohen, 14).
Furthermore, researchers have developed many typologies of Jewish identity in regards to characteristics and practices that can shape theoretical frameworks used in analysing subject. Typologies of racial and ethnic stances, historical backgrounds and religiosity scales and their observance, identity and categorization ties, and engagements underpin the attitudes and values regarding the Jewish religion, community, and the State of Israel. The typologies of Jewish behaviours and practices identify Jews as practitioners, militants, and Israelites. Such identification criterion is based on the backdrop of variables such as the relationship to Israel, relationship with Judaism, cultural level involvement and, community participation.
According to Cohen, Philosophical and theoretical practices play a major role in maintaining Jewish identity (19). Major creative pieces such as poetry and screenplays attempt to address the issue of identity among the Jews and other global communities. In most instances, assimilation and the existing contention with the desire to survive have greatly inspired creativity and spirituality among the Jews. For example, the French– Jews have been obliged to fight for the intactness of their identity in the politically assimilated French Republic. Most of them use public debates to express views regarding their identity as well as the identities of minority groups in France (Cohen, 18).
The issue of Jewish Identity is still clouded in ambiguity despite the fact that it is a global subject that requires a global approach and solution. Judaism, anti-Semitism, and allegiance to Israel have had lasting effects on the identity of Jews, both at home and in the Diaspora. As a result, contemporary analyses, as well as philosophical theories and several developed typologies, are applicable in the examination of the Jewish identity question.
Works Cited
Cohen, Erik. Jewish Identity Research: A State of the Art. International Journal of Jewish Education on Research, 2010 (1) 7- 48
Malamet, Elliot. The Disenchanted Student: Reconstructing Jewish Identity in a Modern Context. May 12, 2014. Web. July 30 2016.
Yadgar, Liebman. Maintaining Ambivalence: Religious Practice and Jewish Identity Among Israel Traditionalists- a Post Secular Perspective. Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, 2013 9 (3),
