A sense of identity
A third volume of reflections by members of the local Jewish community speaks to its own diversity.
As Simon Schama noted, the “Jewish story has been anything but commonplace”. Imagine, then, what that story might entail on the edge of the global diaspora?
This book provides an insight, specifically of those Jews who live in or have an association with Auckland. It is the initiative of the indefatigable Ann Gluckman, now in her early nineties. She first edited a similar book in 1990 in honour – in part – of the founding of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation (1840). Now, 27 years later and after another volume in 1993, she has recruited a wide range of authors to talk about their Jewishness, personal and communal, past and present. She has been helped by Deb Levy Friedler and Lindy Davis.
For me, this is the most comprehensive of the three volumes, with more than enough of interest. It is sprawling, both in terms of content and writing style. There are 123 contributions, ranging from short chapters to a few paragraphs. Inevitably, some are more engaging than others. Some topics might be of limited interest to a wider audience.
I saw an earlier version of the manuscript and can testify that editing has been light-touch. It works for some in terms of a rawness and directness, but others could have used more editorial guidance. But this is community talking and it should express itself via a variety of voices.
What will impress is the energy and impact associated with a relatively small community. There are the well known – Wally Hirsh, Lesley Max, David Galler, Deb Filler, David Levene, Sir Peter
Gluckman – and there are stories from others who have contributed to the arts, community, medicine and law but who will not be known as being Jewish. What might be misleading is the fact that there are Jews with surnames such as Smith, Brown and Collins.
The other aspect that will impress readers is the diversity of the community. For some, Zionism or Judaism defines their Jewishness. In other cases, it is about whānau and community. Some tell stories of migration and intergenerational Jewishness whereas others are recent converts.
By and large, the tone is one of celebration and positivity about being Jewish in Auckland and New Zealand. There are two points of tension. One is the rise of anti-Semitism globally and its ramifications. Juliet Moses sees 2014 as a turning point locally and there is certainly evidence of a heightened anti-Semitism in recent years. The desecration of matzevah (headstones) in Auckland’s Karangahape Rd Jewish cemetery and the online arguments (again) about a Jewish conspiracy are a challenge for all of us.
The other is the fragility of Jewish identity, especially Halachic (law and practice based on the Talmud) identity. As Sir Peter Gluckman points out, the low birth rate locally, the loss of those emigrating to Australia and the high assimilation rate all provide challenges to future community vitality.
This is a welcome contribution to the available literature on the diversity of contemporary New Zealand by telling the varied stories of members of a long-standing and important ethnic and religious community.
As Sir Peter Gluckman points out, a low birth rate, emigration losses to Australia and a high assimilation rate are challenges to the community.