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When my ancestors lived in Eastern Europe they faced religious persecution, they left before World War II and the Holocaust started. On my Mom’s and Dad’s sides, my ancestors went to United States of America, they came to this country to have religious freedom as Jews. They were able to get jobs that paid well based on their talents not on their religion. This was because of the first amendment of the Constitution of United States, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” This establishes freedom of religion in the United States.
My definition of freedom is the right to choose my religion and not being forced to practice a religion according to the country I live in. This means I can celebrate the religion of my own choosing. I openly practice as a Jew in America by wearing a kippah and tzitzit, a skull cap and a religious garment. Also, I buy kosher foods in regular grocery stores. I place a Chanukah Menorah, an object used for a religious ceremony, in my window during Chanukah and I put Mezuzahs, a religious amulet, on my doors’ frames. Also, I attend a synagogue in my community. My right to practice my religion of choice without persecution that is found in the Bill of Rights was strengthened with more legislation. This legislation was Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits the discrimination of students based on religious identity. Also according to the United States Department of Justice individual expression of religion can not be suppressed, and someone cannot be harassed because of one's religion. If a person openly attacks anyone because they are a certain religion, that person can be arrested. The laws of the United States protects people of all religions. Also, in the United States there are protections to keep me and other Jews safe. I go to a Jewish school, and at my school is a hired deputy to protect me and my school mates. Also, in the Jewish community around my school there are more hired deputies and officers to protect the Jewish community. During our High Holy Days, there is a deputy or officer outside our Synagogue to protect me and my fellow congregants. In the United States I am protected from antisemitism, but in other countries this is not the same story. In January 2015, Jews were attacked in a French Kosher grocery store. This was not the first incident of antisemitism in France. According to the Washington Post, 1% of France's population is Jewish but over 50% of the reported hate crimes are against Jews. Even in Israel where Jews make up 75% of the population, there have been recently many stabbings of Jews by those who do not like Jews. My great grandparents had to live in ghettos and were in fear of being attacked by the police and military just because of their religion. Freedom means to me that I can openly practice as a Jew in the country that I live in. In the United States there are freedom of religion rights and protections. While my experience may be different than that of my great grandparents or Jews in other countries, I am still proud to be a Jewish American.
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Dear Mrs. Bridges Hall,
I am a Jewish child who goes to a private Jewish School. My parents were able to choose what school I went to but your parents could not. You were forced to go to a falling down cheap African American only school, while the white children went to an average nice school. You fought for the end of division by race. Now the division is not race but money. In underemployed areas the quality of schooling is insufficient than in high-wage areas. The county in underemployed areas can not collect enough money to be able to give the school the budget of a high-wage area. Underemployed area schools have old textbooks that are most likely out of date and print. The schools also have no technology, so the students are relying on outdated print books. Since the school does not have supplies for teachers, the teachers have to pay for supplies out of their own pockets. With no money for new teachers, teachers have to teach large classes. This means less time for the teacher to know each student. Since the students may be hungry, the students cannot focus as well.The children have to go to buildings that are failing structurally; which could be dangerous. While high-wage area schools have new textbooks yearly; with new technology for students to access newer materials. The teachers do not have to pay for supplies. Since the school is able to have more teachers, they have smaller classes. The student are well fed to help increase their concentration. The schools are able to maintain their buildings. In my school, my parents pay tuition. The money pool from tuition allows the school to be able to help students excel. Our school has a wireless network, newer computers, iPads, and a well stocked library. Also, at my school is art education. Also in the area where I go to school, the public schools have large budgets and are able to provide for their students. They have similar nice things because they have resources similar to my school. To find a solution I looked to the past; how the government had to move you from an African American school to a white school to end separate but “equal” schools. Now one solution to decrease the education gap between underemployed areas and high-wage areas is to federalize schooling, so some public schools do not become poor and others rich. A different solution is to take the money a rich school has and give it to a poor school that needs the money. Another solution is decrease the amount of schools and increase the service area of other schools. This idea might not work, because it might put too much strain on one area. In the end, schools are not divided by race but by income today. Schools in underemployed areas do not have enough money to buy essentials while schools in high-wage areas have money to buy new technology every year. This causes students to get education at a standard of their money. Kind Regards, Herschel Nathan |
AuthorMy name is Hersch Nathan and I enjoy writing. I use Essays as a way for my voice to be heard. Archives
November 2018
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