An article from Moment Magazine on African-American rabbis (though strikingly, no Orthodox rabbis despite the fact that there definitely are African-American Orthodox rabbis) meant to highlight Jewish diversity might only compound common beliefs held about non-Orthodox movements and converts.
Um, when do we get to see an article about Latino rabbis? Alright, probably never, I know. There are more than enough Latino rabbis, so that’s nothing earth-shattering, I know, even if we never hear about them.
As usual, keep the comments clean.
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 
I really didn't like the article. Read my response.
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Well, I know a furture Latino rabbi. My buddy James Young converted Reform, is now converting Orthodox while at YU for smicha and plans to be a military chaplain. I knew him back at Ft Hood. He also jokes about being an Irish and Puerto Rican Jew from Harlem.
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Probably the most famous African Orthodox Jewish convert is Rabbi Natan Gamedze. He is from the royal family of the african country Swaziland, in 1991 he became a ger tzedek and is now a Charedi Rabbi who follows the litvish hashkafah. His story is remarkable NOT because of his race but because of his royalty. He had it all in this world but was not happy with his lot until he found Hashem. There is alot about this Rabbi online if anyone is interested. Addressing the topic directly, I dont understand why people take issue of race and judaism. Who cares? My race is Jewish and so was my forefathers. And yeah yeah I know Jews arent a race… Well up until the last few centuries race and nation were one and the same. And as far as I am concerned a Japanese convert and african convert are of the same Jewish race and nation I am. That is as long as they believe in the Torah and observe the 613 mitzvot. If Gd forbid they dont then they are not my family nor are they my people. If they dont want to leave the world behind and believe in the Torah then why should they be defined as a Jew? If they want to follow the worlds ways then let them define themselves as the race and nation they come from. Its sad really people cant escape the galus definitions of the sheker world and become a true Jewish member of the Jewish nation. One race and One Nation…
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Anonymous, I get that you're trying to be inclusive but it actually comes off as exclusive. That's my two cents. I think you should read this Chabad piece: “Is Diversity Good for the Jews?”
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/509583/jewish/Is-Diversity-Good-for-the-Jews.htm
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Aliza,
My comments were abrupt because I had to leave shortly. I was intending to be both inclusive and exclusive. Inclusive of all peoples but exclusive in Torah standards. Even in the chabad article you posted the author states that diversity is appreciated only within the “parameters” of what is kosher. Am I wrong or is chabad saying diversity outside of Torah isnt good? Before the hashkalah movement there was very little diversity in Judaism, sure there was diverse opinion but not diverse streams of Judaism. In other words everyone was in agreement as to what made a person a Jew, and who a Jew was. So I think it would be appropriate to conclude Judaism is exclusive in who is a Jew but inclusive in who can become a Jew. And I think that is a healthy thing, it sets high standards and at the same time leaves the door open to everyone. In this sense Judaism is the ivy league institution of higher learning. Attendance is open to all but you have to have the grades to get in. what do you think? am I too exclusive?
Ben “anonymous”
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I think you think I was talking about conversion but I'm talking about culture and race. When you start saying things like one race that troubles me. Judaism does celebrate diversity, we have Jews from all races and from a broad spectrum of different cultures.
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