In Joshua M. Zeitz’s “White Ethnic New York,” Chapter 1, he illustrates how certain areas of New York seemed predominantly Jewish. Even in areas where the census and demographics proved that the area was diverse, the Jewish presence stood out and there was an illusion of Jewish predominance.

Growing up in Teaneck, NJ I can easily relate to this idea. I attended a private Jewish elementary school and another private Jewish high school. My neighbors were all Jewish and summer-camp in Pennsylvania was Jewish too. Thus, the children I grew up with were all Jewish. In fact, until I started attending Baruch, I did not have one single friend who was not Jewish.

Despite the homogenous group of people with whom I associated, I never thought that it was strange that I only knew Jews. I never once noticed that my friends were all Jewish because that’s just how things always were. 

“All the young people were Jewish. I don’t remember anyone who was not… so I grew up in a completely Jewish environment. I’ve never really thought about it, but that’s how it was.” Communities Page 9.

I only began to realize how much of a “bubble” I had been living in when I started Baruch. I started talking to people from different cultures and religions. Baruch, the most diverse college I have heard of, has given me the opportunity to speak to people with different beliefs and ideas. Most of my friends are Muslim or Catholic, and I’ve learned so much about these religions that I didn’t know before.

It started to bother me that I had not been exposed to different races or religions earlier in my life. I wondered how an entire community could be successful in isolating itself in the middle of a country – or even a state or city – that is so diverse.

Teaneck, while it appears to me to be 90% Jewish, is probably only 50 or 60% Jewish.  However, in the area of Teaneck in which I live, you will seldom see a car on the streets on a Saturday, because all of the stores are closed and almost everyone in the area is a Sabbath observer.

After reading Zeitz’s article, I realized that although I wish I had some interaction with a more diverse crowd as a child, these “Jewish neighborhoods” are really important for the people who live in them. By living in these types of areas, Jews know that they will always find a synagogue close by. They can go out to eat at a variety of restaurants and won’t have to worry about whether the food is Kosher or not. It is also easier to practice the Jewish traditions and holidays with neighbors who are celebrating the same things. During many holidays, like Sukkot and Passover, neighbors invite each other over for a ceremonial meal. Trusting that my neighbor will have no bread in his home during Passover gives us a very special relationship that will not be found in other areas.

While there are both advantages and disadvantages to living in a “Jewish neighborhood,” ultimately, I think that they are necessary for Jews. I feel strongly about speaking with people who live outside the Jewish community, and learning about different religions and cultures. However, without “Jewish neighborhoods” so many traditions and customs would have faded with time and the Jewish connection that is felt worldwide would not be as strong as it is today.

The picture I chose is one of Justin, Sarah, and me. They are two of my first friends at Baruch, and they are two of my first non-Jewish friends ever, but they are also two of my best friends.

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