When you’re the only one who follows a set of traditions and rituals in an area, it does indeed feel quite strange. Holidays are lonely, even shopping for goods can feel alienating. And the casual antisemitism… its often small things, but you often hear odd comments or off color jokes, the kind of things people casually say because they are certain they aren’t offending anyone in earshot. I’m not sure I’d ever move just to be closer to more Jews, but it is very comforting to know you have instant community in an area. I remember coming back to the East Coast USA from the Southwest and nearly breaking down seeing mass produced hamantaschen in a bakery (even if my homemade ones are way better).
My sympathies go out to this lonely man and I hope he finds a way to feel connected to others in that unique way tradition and community evokes. Though the article makes it sound like he’s built a life he’s happy with and that must be very rewarding in its own way.
Dr. Joel Fleischman?
“You can generally just drop by and visit people without calling ahead of time and making some kind of arrangement,” he said. “That makes life more spontaneous.”
- Germans having panic attack *
