On Jewish Women and Suburbia (1960)
Throughout ages Jewish life has revolved about 2 poles: Torah – the element that is constant, unchanging, divine; and Chokhmah – culture or worldly wisdom, that white fluctuates, evolves, develops with time. Great minds of Judaism tried to blend both without doing violence to either, thus: Philo, Maimonides, Hirsch, etc. Today: scienceBut in addition to the meeting of Judaism and the high culture of the day, a confront- tation always took place on a lower but more significant level, that of the popular mass-culture. This participated in not only by the intellects but ordinary Jews, JewessesAt beginning this century, for first half of it, in U.S. question of whether can be Jews and Americans, whether can retain Torah identity whilst trying to "Americanize”...That was primarily an urban culture: can you live Like a Jew in tenement houses etc. Many failed – assimilated. We triumphed – otherwise wouldn't be hereToday: another, more serious problem of Torah vis-avis Chokhmah on popular level: that of Torah in Suburbia. Suburbia represents change of pace, new style living, etc..... Does Tefillin go with tennis? - Talmud with a big green lawn? - Mitzvos with PTA?... Some go to either extreme: wither answer is no, hence no suburbia, or answer is No, hence chop off & modify Judaism: temples as show-places instead of worship, services as exhibitions instead of experience etc.You as W.B.U.O.J.C.A. specifically Long Island chapter, represent an affirmation that Torah is not essentially incompatible with this new kind of suburban American experience.The change to suburbia is only one aspect of the whole mid-century change in style which causes so much tension, strain…hard on us. But women able to take it better than men. So Ashley Montagu. So: Isaac told Rebecca - Rabbis: earth & bone. You too can help your families, communities, make smooth change without loss of elemental Torah values…I know you're fatigued..so many requests & demands on time, attention, talents..…
