dek wrote:
I disagree for two reasons. One, what Aestu said, even the most well-intentioned of such groups have negative impacts on society. If nothing else, it reinforces a sense of separation that can lead to social strife.
To wit, in the case of Jewish groups... what better way to encourage antisemitism than to insist that they are different than everyone else.
Society doesn't provide for them what they provide for themselves. Something is lacking in less restrictive groups that cause these people to gather in this way.
dek wrote:
But on a personal level, it's the fact that these groups exclude people for entirely arbitrary reasons. The Jewish skiing group is the perfect example. If they took the word "Jewish" out of their name, it would describe me. In other words, if they weren't racially discriminatory in nature, I would join. And I would be a welcome addition, I'm friends with a few of them and have met and had good experiences with several others.
If Jewish is in the name of their group, then that's not arbitrary. They're telling you right up front, "This is a Jewish community." I'm sure some of them are your friends, and I'm sure they like you, but this is their group of JEWISH friends. As soon as you become a regular, then they have to begin dealing with others wanting to bring their friends who some might find objectionable. Pretty soon, the dynamic that held their group together is no longer. The new group might be even better than the old one, but it can't be the same, and more likely, it will dissolve altogether.
dek wrote:
It's not like it's the end of the world, but it really does strain relationships to have most of a group of friends go out and have fun and leave just one person sitting home alone. It makes that person feel like they're just slightly less a part of the group.
It does sound sad that all of your friends are Jewish and are members of this Jewish group. You need some other friends, as well, imo. Forcing yourself into their group is only going to cause resentment, I fear.
