The Kippa Test
August 17, 2011 in All, From a German perspective, From a Jewish perspective
Peter, from Canada, asked me a question:
Lars,I have a very simple question–can a typical Jew,wearing kippa feel good when he is walking on the street in Germany or when he needs to be to the office for a business?
In my opinion, it should not be a problem, wearing a kippa in Germany. But how to prove it?
Simple. I have a kippa. So, I’ll wear it.
Let’s say, I’ll wear it for about a week … if nothing out of the ordinary happenes I’ll call the test “successful”.
When will I wear it?
Every time I leave the house. Be it on my way to work, while shopping, going to the movies, or for any other reason. In the office, I will take the kippa off. Otherwise, explaining to all my colleagues why I do this test would keep me busy for most of the week. I’m invited to a party tomorrow evening … I’ll even wear it there. Talking to the people there and asking for their opinion on the question will enrich the discussion.
So, off I go to my first day of “The Kippa Test”.
Lars on his way to the office, wearing a kippa.
Lars hi, how the test is going ? Have you experienced dirty looks or hateful comments?
This test is a noble thing, and it can even pass successfully, but I am still oppose the Jewish life in Europe , IMHO Europeans showed the true face of hate and they murdered the Jews. Now G-d sent them the punishment – the barbaric moslem tribes came in and they will saw the hate and destruction. The punishment will unfold and in a few generations Europe will loose their identity. The paradox is – they will blame the Jews for their calamity. As a Jew I don’t even want to put my foot to European continent as it is a Amalekh entity, with the little exception (like Lars, Serbs, Bulgarians , Finns, Denmark, Albanians ) European’s hate to the Jews is irrational and very difficult to explain. What is your thought about this theory ?
Hi Peter,
so far the kippa test is going well. No dirty looks, no hateful comments. I’ll write a detailed description when the week is over.
Regarding your second comment … I can understand that a Jew does not want to live in Germany or even visit it. Too much has happened here.
But I do not agree with your description of “what will happen to Europe” … why would Europe loose its identity? The identity of a country will always be changing. Look at the United States. Its an imigration country and it has a great identity.
Regarding your comments towards “barbaric moslem tribes” … I do not like this racist attitude. Please read the house rules linked at the top of the page.
Regarding your comment about “the European’s hate to the Jews” … I am quite sorry, but I must live in a different Europe than what you talk about.
Don’t forget that the picture you get from the newspapers will give you a very wrong idea of a country. The news will only report if something bad happens. Don’t reduce a country to the “headlines”. They make maybe 1% of what a country realy is.
Sorry or the “hateful” comment , I just tried to tell the truth in quite politically incorrect form.
Regarding the European attitude to the Jews , how can you explain the extreme antisemitism in the countries that are “Juden Fry” like Poland , Slovakia etc… Regarding the Jews and how they benefit the economy – look at Google , the both founders are Jews… Facebook ..etc.. These Internet companies accelerate the distribution of the human knowledge and drive hi tech revolution. And it is taking place not in Europe… Germany today is the only country that keeps EU together, the rest of the union are non functional economic entities..
See, I didn’t know that Facebook’s and Google’s founders are Jewish. Why should I?
I don’t care if they are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim or anything else. They are smart people with great ideas. That’s what they are.
Regarding Jews in Poland. You should not forget that Poland was under Communist rule until 1989. It takes time until change can happen.
Almost the same goes for Czechoslovakia. Here it was practially communist until the 1992.
Don’t forget that West Germany has been under American rule and basically had 45 years more time to recuperate and also to educate their kids about the holocaust and the wrongdoings to the Jews and all the others that were suppressed by the Nazis.
And we still have work to do. This is one of the reasons why this website exists.
You are noble but idealistic man… Looking forward to hear the test progress.
Nice idea and very interesting to read about your experiences. I would like to invite you to my hometown village: Serfaus/Tyrol. The most interesting months are June to
September. I enjoy it – besides the breezy climate (often hot but not as humind as my workplace Munich) – because of the many Charedims with kippa, peies, black cloths/hats which make Serfaus look like an East-European “Stettl” (see also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5-o9i6wAy8&feature=player_embedded).
Some of the hosts even provide all opportunities for kosher food, etc.
But I do not want to promote Serfaus: I’d be interested in your investigations if you were here and your interpretation about the impressions of all the involved: the Jewish tourists, the Gojim, the hosts, …
What I find very interesting: almost all countries make an effort to adapt occidental traditions (for their guests) – hardly anyone realizes the efforts made for oriental guests (or members of other traditions) in Austria, a country which lives in an close area of xenophobia and hospitality.
All that ever seems to be pointed out are the problems and conflicts.
Finally, we have to learn to respect each other and be able to stand conflicts without alway being reproached in racism, anti-semitism or occidental arrogance, etc. The goal is diversity (sorry for this worn-out substantive) not the hodgepodge, pabulum and just tearing down national predispositions. I like that the start of it rather than talking or just asking about potential risks. So did you – congratulations!