JEWISH CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Personal Interview with Jonathan Klein

Jonathan Klein is a member of the Jewish community and also attends Beth Jacob Atlanta Synagogue. I met Jonathan about two weeks prior to this interview at Starbucks. He did not have time to talk to me then, so he handed me his business card and told me it was okay to call him for assistance with my project. I met Jonathan at his job site which was up the street from the Starbucks where we met on Monroe Drive in Atlanta. Jonathan is a general contractor. Interestingly, Jonathan employed five men to work with him on this particular project. One man was Black, another Hispanic and the other was First Nations. On the way to the interview, I had generated a few questions to discuss with Jonathon. But once the interview began, I mostly listened because Jonathans time was really short. He began talking about the 614 Commandments in the Bible. Three Books in particular addresses mans relationship to God; mans relationship to man; and mans relationship to the earth. However, mans relationship to God can be put on hold for his relationship with man. To make his point clear, Jonathan shared a story with me about a Jewish young man who wanted to pray on a flight around the time of the 911catastrophy. When the Jewish man was asked by the flight attendant to have a seat, the Jewish man was determined to pray to maintain his relationship with God. However, because the young Jewish man did not comply with the instructions to be seated, the plane was turned around. All of the passengers on the flight were inconvenienced. Needless to say, Jonathan painted a perfect picture about how mans relationship with God can be put on hold for his relationship with his fellow man. Jonathan began his interview by discussing his religious beliefs. Jonathan said, Jewish is not a religion but a lifestyle. Jonathan considers himself Orthodox Modern day Orthodox. Q: Do you or have you experienced oppression. A: No, not now I do not. However, in the 1960s, I experienced oppression from kids. Q: Black or White kids? A: Certainly not Jewish kids. They were White kids who would call me names or try to fight me. Black kids just called me Jew, Jew, Jew. Q: What is your greatest challenge? A: Cramming everything into a work week while trying to observe the Sabbath. Q: Have you been to Israel or plan to live in Israel? A: Yes, I went once a long time ago. My brother lives there now. He has lived there for 26 years now. I know that should be my desire to live in Israel. When I tell people that I choose not to live in Israel they look at me a certain kind of way. But, I feel that my place to serve God is here helping with the Jewish community. At the synagogue, I read the Torah in Hebrew sometimes during the service. I was prepared well for that growing up. I was also religious. But, as I get older, I guess I become more religious about some things. Q: Is your wife Jewish or do you marry outside your ethnicity?

JEWISH CULTURAL EXPERIENCE A: My wife is of Jewish background too. That makes it a lot easier too. Q: Will your children marry someone who is Jewish also? A: I hope so. If they do not, that means that I did not sell the product well. My great-great grandfather was a Rabbi in New York and had 10 children. They were Orthodox observant Jews. After the interview was over, I thank Jonathan. He apologized to me because he had to end the interview so abruptly. Jonathan was very nice. He agreed to meet me the next day at the synagogue for service. Q: How should I dress for service? A: Where a skirt. Make sure your clothes are loose fitting. We are not into sexy. What you have on now is fine just wear a skirt. Q: Should my hair be covered? A: No. The Jewish women have to wear one, but not you. My wife may be attending service tomorrow. If so, you can meet my wife too.