Alef: The NEXT Conversation

25: Changing Traditions

Does the word “Tradition” make anyone else think first of this unforgettable scene from Fiddler on the Roof?

Actually, the story of this Broadway-musical-turned-film is a pretty accurate representation of what Alef writers are talking about in this issue: Changing Traditions. Just as each of the daughters of the Old Country grappled with Jewish traditions in their lives, so did each of the generations that followed.

When we first started putting this issue together, we thought that maybe it was a generational phenomenon – that the Birthright Generation is reinventing older traditions to fit a more modern life. Boy, were we surprised to find the story of a 105 year-old Jewish woman whose remains had been held onto since September because she wanted to be cremated instead of (more traditionally) buried. It seems that even our grandparents were making waves when it came to maintaining age-old Jewish cultural practices.

With so many laws, rules, and rituals to be evaluated and either kept or challenged, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Be a part of this conversation for the next few weeks and share with us the traditions that you’re grappling with as well.

Photo by Jemsweb, licensed under Creative Commons.

Changing Traditions Posts:
Cross to Bear
The First Cut is Always the Deepest
A Not-So-Dangerous Tradition
My Journey in Judaism
Punk Rock Prayer Space

Tags: burial, Fiddler on the Roof, generations, jew, jewish, laws, Old Country, rituals, rules, Traditions

Posted by Emily.Comisar@birthrightisraelnext.org, Monday, December 20th, 2010, 11:39 am, Traditions.