Question: Do you like Jews? What are we like? If you are a non-Jew impressed? or not so much? Answer away, and read this.

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I have a friend who has recently become friends with some Jewish people.

It is refreshing to hear what she has to say about these relationships and what they mean to her, and in general. It is because as a Jew it is often difficult to see the trees from the forest – to see the character traits we have as a people, some of which are solid and others wilting, versus our overall self-image and historical accomplishments.

She says that the Jewish people are warm and compassionate and those whom she has met exhibit that regularly.

Are we warm and compassion though? Or better yet, are we to each other? I would hazard to guess that when Jews talk amongst ourselves we are probably critical of the lack of warmth that exists.

A good example is what many of us have to say about our synagogue experiences; that they have been very cold and not welcoming places, and as soon as we were able we’d split. Well that was not her perception.

She says we’re warm, and that’s good to hear even if it’s only to the new comer. Just kidding.

She says that Jews are very growth oriented and always considering ways and means of getting better, or making the world a better place. Hmmm. Are we upwardly mobile? Of the Jews you know, have they accomplished greatness or are they on the road to doing so? Or is that what she means really.

I think if you look closely at the cloak of forward movement we wear you’ll find that it is quite impressive.  Perhaps not every one of us the Jewish people will start a franchise, or read the shas (all the Talmudic books), or write a novel, or run a marathon or direct a movie. But the State of Israel in its glory and our Diaspora communities are really quite something – they are sophisticated with great depth of possibility and grandeur.

And if you introduce yourself to individual Jews you’ll find that most have books in their homes, read the newspaper out of concern for the world, and often try to enhance it. We Jews give  life a shot, I believe.

It’s hard to know the experiences of a barber or a baker unless you ask them. It’s difficult to know who we are completely unless we probe and ask others. Well one other person is impressed and although she sees our foibles – God knows they are there, she likes us. She really really likes us.

I that just makes me even prouder to be a Jew. I think we are quite something as a people, and good folk in general.  Those who do not know us write a script about who they believe we are  – but so often they are wrong. Read our script folks.

Thank you. Good night.