My Jewish history, much like my Canadian history, is a thought reflex rather than a conscious one. That is, I don’t think about it, but it flows beneath the surface of my decisions and actions. The other night, having just finished watching a documentary on J.D. Salinger, my girlfriend Michelle and I talked about how Salinger’s geeky, obsessed, and numerous biographers were all Jewish.
Some studied him because of his writing, others because of his obsession with Nazi hunting during World War III. Salinger was there when they liberated Dachau; actually sitting down at a table in the camp to write bits of Catcher in the Rye. Michelle and I agreed that perhaps, being Jewish, is being comfortable with an obsession. Whether your obsession is J.D. Salinger, cooking, or aeronautics, get good at it, and hone your skills.
This isn’t a characteristic only Jews possess but it is perhaps one that ties the culture together. Whatever the case, for me, a work ethic, an auto-didactic nature, and the desire to succeed in business, through innovation, is what I consider my Jewish nature.
I try hard to be Canadian but am not. My birthplace of Montreal has become but a token I use in conversations, a flourish to throw into my biology. But that feels sufficient. I’m proud of my Canadian roots, whether they had time to go very deep or not. Besides, when I’m embarrassed with America it is a useful tool of separation.
My company, which publishes books, had holiday marketing for the first time this year. While at first, even as many of us are Jewish, our minds instantly went to Christmas, we went instead for both Christmas and Chanukah. Calling it “The Festival of Lit“ (literature).
Decisions like this don’t make me Jewish but they are the result of my Jewish heritage, and more importantly, its effect on my worldview and decision making.
Sifting through one of my journals the other day I came upon an entry I made at age 12, by then living in Orlando, Florida. It read:
“I’m Jewish, left-handed, and Canadian, I’m destined to have a weird and amazing life.”
