Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 28, 2013 20:28:04 GMT -5
I have a child in my class and her mom told me they are "Jews" but not "Jewish" and there will be some things in which the child will not participate. I'm fine with whatever she doesn't do but I'd like to know more so I can anticipate these things and also dates she will not be in school. Since that initial conversation, the mom has not given me details or responded to communication so I'd like to try to figure it out on my own. She did mention Israel or people of Israel when she spoke of her religion. I'm pretty good about separation of church and state anyway. We don't have "parties." We will be teaching some religious things as part of common core curriculum. I think Buddhist and Hindu but we haven't gotten that far yet.
This is getting too long. Let me know if you need a certain detail but pretty much any link to info on this religion or experience you've had would be great. Mom wears her hair covered and long skirts. Child wears long skirts.
Post by Miss Phryne Fisher on Sept 28, 2013 20:42:55 GMT -5
I am guessing Messianic with a bit of fundie. My best friend is leaning this way now, and she did the long skirts and head covering for a couple years (but has since stopped).
Post by FastHands on Sept 28, 2013 20:46:46 GMT -5
I think it's weird, but it isn't really your problem. You know the kid may not be all yay-christmas qnd may miss for different holidays, at which point I'd assume you'd get an absence note. I don't think she has to explain anything else or identify with a religion/sect for you to do your job, right? (Not entirely rhetorical)
I think it's weird, but it isn't really your problem. You know the kid may not be all yay-christmas qnd may miss for different holidays, at which point I'd assume you'd get an absence note. I don't think she has to explain anything else or identify with a religion/sect for you to do your job, right? (Not entirely rhetorical)
I like to know what to expect. I have students who are Jehovah's Witness and I teach music. I read everything I could about it so that I would be able to deal with requests, know what music to avoid, and basically be able to anticipate when they couldn't be in the room. I am not religious but I try to be sensitive.
I think it's weird, but it isn't really your problem. You know the kid may not be all yay-christmas qnd may miss for different holidays, at which point I'd assume you'd get an absence note. I don't think she has to explain anything else or identify with a religion/sect for you to do your job, right? (Not entirely rhetorical)
I like to know what to expect. I have students who are Jehovah's Witness and I teach music. I read everything I could about it so that I would be able to deal with requests, know what music to avoid, and basically be able to anticipate when they couldn't be in the room. I am not religious but I try to be sensitive.
It's a great approach. It helps you get to know your kids better, where they come from, how they think....all teachers need that insight.
I think it's weird, but it isn't really your problem. You know the kid may not be all yay-christmas qnd may miss for different holidays, at which point I'd assume you'd get an absence note. I don't think she has to explain anything else or identify with a religion/sect for you to do your job, right? (Not entirely rhetorical)
I like to know what to expect. I have students who are Jehovah's Witness and I teach music. I read everything I could about it so that I would be able to deal with requests, know what music to avoid, and basically be able to anticipate when they couldn't be in the room. I am not religious but I try to be sensitive.Â
Gotcha. That's considerate of you. I would think if there were concerns beyond her comment that kid wouldn't participate in some things, she would explain them to you. At least, I'd feel like the ball was in her court to give me more info rather than it being my responsibility to try to figure out her religious beliefs/practices. It's also no secret that I'd be a shitty teacher, though.
The Jews for Jesus thing is one belief system I don't really get. I always thought belief in Jesus as the messiah is a defining factor of not being Jewish.
It is.
Anyone can be observe Jewish traditions.
But you can't believe Jesus is the Messiah and be Jewish.
I think they are typically culturally Jewish but believe that Jesus was the Messiah. So Jewish in heritage and traditions, but Christian in faith by definition.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 28, 2013 21:46:53 GMT -5
I'm on the app tonight. It some of those things mentioned I have not looked up yet, so I have a starting point for tomorrow. I know the ball is in her mom's court but the student is who I am concerned about. Its not her fault her mom didn't prep me enough. As far as why I need to know, I have already planned things that I thought were fine but would have done them differently had I known this child wouldn't be able to participate. Like the end of our fairy tale unit being on Oct 31 apparently means she can not come dressed as a princess but if I did it the day before she could have. I have now announced it to all the parents as Oct 31- come dressed as one of the characters we studied. It is optional but she would have like to have dressed up. Other stuff like that. She cannot stand for the pledge. I need to make substitute teachers and special area teachers aware and I'm not sure what to make them aware of. In a way it is more of a parent communication issue than religion or exceptions but I like to learn what I can so I can be more sensitive. For example, before having witches in my classroom I wouldn't have thought twice about having a witch in a class play depicted as a bad person. I live in upstate NY but this family has lived in different states. The child is half African American and half Hispanic. I think mom is African American. Child said dad speaks Spanish at home. What someone said about not being culturally Jewish but is religiously a Jew sounds a lot like one of the things this mom said when I was confused about not being Jewish. Thanks for the leads!
But you can't believe Jesus is the Messiah and be Jewish.
I think they are typically culturally Jewish but believe that Jesus was the Messiah. So Jewish in heritage and traditions, but Christian in faith by definition.
Most Jews for Jesus are not actually Jews or have any Jewish heritage. They are a cult and recruit, which is something else that Jews are not allowed to do.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 29, 2013 6:38:47 GMT -5
Yeah can't even stand for the pledge. BC normally I tell all the kids they need to at least stand and be quiet and respectful even if they don't salute or say words in their family. This mom said that is something they do not do. It came up because they were late to school on her first day and her mom was in the classroom when the pledge happened. Other than the lack of communication, they seem to be doing a good job. The girl is clean, dressed nicely, advocates appropriately for herself and is a hard worker.
I think they are typically culturally Jewish but believe that Jesus was the Messiah. So Jewish in heritage and traditions, but Christian in faith by definition.
Most Jews for Jesus are not actually Jews or have any Jewish heritage. They are a cult and recruit, which is something else that Jews are not allowed to do.
Reeeeally? I had no idea. I learned about them in high school (Catholic)... I actually considered joining if they had a local group because I find so much value in Jewish tradition. Guess I'm lucky there wasn't a group nearby!
Post by SusanBAnthony on Sept 29, 2013 10:12:48 GMT -5
I have a friend who is a Jew for Jesus. Or something along those lines- I don't think they officially affiliate with anything.
Anyway, it came to them through prayer/angels/whatnot that they should adopt all the Jewish dietary and cultural traditions as a way to get closer to Jesus. So they don't celebrate any Christian holidays, among many other odd things. I my friends case it is a pick and choose kind of thing, I think.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 29, 2013 11:25:26 GMT -5
OK so it looks like some people don't do the pledge because 1. They are pledging loyalty to an earthly kingdom when their kingdom is a heavenly one and 2. because nobody comes before God. I don't think the website I found that on is necessarily the same religion as the child in my class but the reasons are probably the same.
also I wish there was a pamphlet on educating kids of this religion like the one for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Post by joshlyman on Sept 29, 2013 11:33:43 GMT -5
This sounds like Messianic Judaism like others said. It is the "it thing" in many fundie circles, although I am pretty surprised that the Mom is not homeschooling.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 29, 2013 11:49:38 GMT -5
I just googled a bunch and I agree it sounds like Messianic Judaism. So I sort of understand what's going on but have not found a list of do's and don'ts. We do freeze dance breaks and I wasn't sure if she'd be allowed to dance but she does dance. We have a lot of OT needs in the classroom and we do a lot of movement breaks.
I don't know if there are some books she can't read or anything either. She also went to music class just fine. There was a kid in another class who could not go to music class ever. I think he was muslim but I'm not sure.
This sounds like Messianic Judaism like others said. It is the "it thing" in many fundie circles, although I am pretty surprised that the Mom is not homeschooling.
Exactly what it sounds like. As mentioned people like this are not Jewish but rather fundies who've adopted some Jewish traditions. Remember the poster Adamwife? She was more on the CP&E board but she was like this. There was even a long post once where someone called her a "fake Jew". Anyway, I know of a family like this through my husband. They were fundie Christians who didn't celebrate Christmas and wouldn't eat pork and had some other Jewish traditions they celebrated. I'm also surprised these people aren't homeschooling.
Post by wildfloweragain on Sept 29, 2013 15:04:48 GMT -5
I was thinking there were no dietary restrictions but she did ask for directions to the cafeteria before she left. You'd think they'd tell the teacher though. Might be they leave it to the child to pass on certain foods. They do not answer or return calls on their feast days but she didn't tell me when those are. I called the Monday after Yom Kippur began and she did not respond and said it was for that reason. I don't know for sure how long that lasts.