On Feb 1, 2010, at 8:27 AM, Marv Gandall wrote:
> How "authentically" Russian or Jewish are Russian Jews, whether they
> were born of a Jewish mother or another parent or grandparent was
> Jewish - that is to say, is the blood coursing through their veins
> "Jewish" blood or "Russian" blood? - is a question of importance
> only for traditional antisemites and Zionists and, it would appear,
> those like yourself who have a peculiar but mainly innocently
> interest in Jews and other national minorities as exotic Others.
It's curious how expats embrace the nationalism of their new countries. Another instance of that - the person who invited me up to Ottawa this past weekend is an American (and an all-around fine fellow) who just became a permanent resident of Canada. He was much more enthusiastic about the virtues of Canada than the natives. Zeal of the convert, I guess.
Doug