If a Jew isn't wearing a visible sign—a kippah or a Magen David—how can we tell if he or she is Jewish? We can't. We make assumptions based on context. But context is tricky. A white person in a Jewish setting, such as a synagogue, appears Jewish to most people. A person of color in the same setting is often assumed to be an outsider.
I committed this gaffe about ten years ago at my Manhattan shul when, just before Friday night services began, an African American woman I didn't know took a seat next to me. Schooled to welcome strangers, I offered my hand, spoke to her warmly, indicated the right page in the siddur and, like an idiot, asked her what church she belonged to. "I'm Jewish," she smiled. "I belong here. But thanks."
Read Full Article »