In the third and final part of this series about non-Jews in Bloomington, Ind. who have become deeply involved with the Jewish community, Jun Chen interviews non-Jewish members of a Hooshir, a Jewish student a cappella group.
Andrew Ruggles, Nathan Gray, Lorienne Solaski and Rebecca Shappell were already close friends when they joined Hooshir, a coed a cappella group at Indiana University. At the time, however, they didn’t know it was a part of IU Hillel and founded as a Jewish a cappella group.
These four Hooshir members come from a variety of religious backgrounds: Solaski and Gray are agnostic, Shappell is a Protestant and Ruggles is Catholic. None of them had come into contact with many Jews or had an opportunity to learn about Judaism before they joined Hooshir. But now, Gray is paying more attention to the situation in Israel than he used to. Solaski is more aware of Jewish religion. Ruggles can understand many Jewish phrases—and he knows he doesn’t want to try gefilte fish again. And Shappell’s favorite Jewish food is kugel—and she once found herself almost becoming a Jew.
CHEN: What part of Jewish culture that intrigues you most? Or any part of it you took time getting used to?
SOLASKI: I would say Judaism can connect Jewish people all over the world on any level, and it is so culturally related and intertwined rather than just a religion. But for Jews coming from the East Coast, a huge majority of them that I know, come from those really rich spoiled families. Their parents want them to marry another rich successful Jew so they can have good jobs and get ahead. It seems a lot about the money while also it is about religion. And I also have this stereotype of Jews to be gossipy and always talking about other people and judging people.
SHAPPELL: The most interesting thing about the Jewish culture to me is the sense of community and family. I did find it astonishing how many Jewish students there were on campus and how interrelated they all seemed. Everyone seemed to know each other and each other’s families and siblings. It was a very communal and family type of experience. Last year for Passover, I went to a friend’s parent’s house where they cooked all my friends and me a giant Passover feast. We sat around and sang the traditional songs, ate the traditional food and said prayers. It was really exciting to be a part of such a tradition. All my friends kept telling stories of their families Passover meals, and it was a really enjoyable night.
RUGGLES: Judaism, from what I have gathered from Hooshir and Hillel, is very much about community. Another great thing is that Judaism is very accepting. In the beginning, I made sure I was mindful of what I was doing and respectful of the Jewish services. Now it is kind a second nature. So I never felt uncomfortable at all even when I did have some moments like cultural shock. But it was never uncomfortable; it was a surprise.
As a non-Jew who spends a lot of time with Jews, have your ideas about Jewish culture or Jewish community changed through your interactions with all of the Jews on campus?
GRAY: The first thing that came to my mind before knowing about Jewish culture was just the basic general terms, say, Chanukah, which people would learn through the media. Then, when I was involved in this group for a while, I understood more about why Jews observe things the way they do. I definitely pay attention on Jewish issues, for example Israel, more than I used to. I cannot say I have become an activist, but I do pay attention, so I know what is being talked about what is going on.
SHAPPELL: The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Jews are my Jewish friends and their outgoing and loud personalities. They are comical and friendly and like to talk really loudly. This came as a shock to me at first, but I am fairly used to it by now.
What is the most valuable thing you have learned from being surrounded by Jewish culture?
RUGGLES: Being involved in the Jewish community keeps reminding me that there is a whole new world of people, culture and religion that I don’t know about. I need to be open-minded with how you see the world and religion.
SHAPPELL: The most important thing I have learned is that a sense of family is extremely important. At the end of the day, your family will always be there for you. Sometimes friends can become like family and it is important to value these relationships. Also, a sense of spirituality and faith is very important. As a non-Jew it is easy for me to view being Jewish as more so a cultural thing, but when it really gets down to it, it is a faith thing too. There is an overwhelming love of religion and holidays and traditions in the Jewish community.
SOLASKI: I went to church all the time when I was at home with my parents because I had to, but once I go to school, I stopped going to the church and also stopped doing certain practices. Yet I noticed that many Jews that I have met here are still active participants in their religion. They are not ashamed or afraid of being Jewish.
Jun Chen is a journalism graduate student at Indiana University. She is a Chinese girl, a news junkie and music snob who believes there is inherent value in extending our sense of what a human life can be. She is a New Voices national correspondent.
