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Constructing Jewish Buddhist Identity in America

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UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Choosing People: Constructing Jewish Buddhist Identity in America by Nicole Heather Libin A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA APRIL, 2009 © Nicole Heather Libin 2009 ISBN: 978-0-494-51194-7 Abstract Evidence suggests that Jews comprise an overwhelmingly disproportionate number of American Buddhist converts. This study examines this phenomenon, exploring the identity construction and lived experiences of Jewish individuals who identify with Buddhism. Through in-depth, unstructured interviews with fifteen individuals, supplemented by textual sources, the study investigates the ways self-identified Jewish Buddhists characterize their own identities, examining the nature of both their Buddhist and Jewish identities, and the relationships between the two. Using a journey motif, the research explores the roles these identities play in their lives, how they came about, and how they continue to evolve. The Jewish individuals in this study moved from processes of Seeking Meaning to Finding Something that Resonates to Creating Their Own Paths of Meaning. Unstructured interviews and constructivist grounded theory are key tools for understanding Jewish identity as it is lived and constructed by individuals today. Identities are multiple, evolving, and variable. Individuals are the arbiters of meaning. They seek, choose, and follow paths and traditions based on personal meaning and relevance. They choose how to connect to being Jewish, which parts of Buddhist teachings fit with what they are seeking and what makes sense for them, and how the two traditions fit into their lives and identities. The analysis uses the literature from social scientific studies of Jewish identity as well as studies of lived religiosity and American Buddhism. This study follows the trend in the scholarship that calls for elimination of reified categories and distinct boundaries. It moves beyond a dichotomous conception of identity as either ascribed or ii achieved. The themes and theory from this research contribute to the body of literature on Jewish identity as well as the growing literature on lived religions. The research explores the creative capacities of lived religiosity and the dynamic nature of identity and identity construction in America today. iii Acknowledgments A dissertation acknowledgments page is something like an acceptance speech for the Academy Awards. You fantasize about it, preparing for the big moment, holding on to the glimmer of hope that you may actually get to deliver it someday. For quite some time now, it has been a guilty pleasure of mine to plan out these acknowledgments, as I dreamed of the day when this work would be finished and I could thank the people who have helped, supported, rooted for, stuck by, and put up with me for all these years. Now that I am at this stage, (which I still have some trouble believing) I find myself at a loss for words. Sleepless nights and umpteen drafts are partially to blame. But beyond that, I find that every attempt falls short. No matter what I say here, I cannot possibly express my gratitude for the people who have helped me make this possible. But I’ll try… First, I would like to thank the participants of this study for sharing your time, energy, and stories. You actually made this process fun! I am so grateful for your candour and your willingness to help me. You have also inspired me to be more compassionate, more mindful, and more at peace than I have ever been. I promise to keep working on it. Next, I have to thank my advisor, Eliezer Segal, for supporting me every step of the way, even if neither of us really knew where I was going. Irving Hexham has always been ready to offer a generous smile and excellent guidance. Irving, you always made me feel like I could do this, even when I was quite sure I could not. To the other members of my committee, Chris Framarin and Doyle Hatt who gave generously of their time whenever I asked for it, I thank you as well. To Charles Prebish: Your early support cheered me on when I really needed it and your enthusiasm for my work has made me eager to continue in its pursuit. There are a number of people who will likely never read this but who I have to thank nevertheless, for putting up with numerous emails, questions, unsolicited queries, and pleas for help and advice. Bethamie Horowitz, Stuart Charmé, Chava Weissler, Cathy Charmaz, Faydra Shapiro, Holly Pearce, Stuart Schoenfeld, and Anthony Barber all contributed in some way. Simply by replying to an email or answering a question, you each made this process easier. iv To Kathleen Oberle, I owe a debt of gratitude for helping me not only finally understand grounded theory, but making me realize that I didn’t have to be afraid of it. It is no exaggeration that the religious studies department would fall apart without Perlea Ashton. No exaggeration either that Perlea faithfully (and quickly) answered every one of my inane questions and still always greeted me with a smile. I know how hard you work and how much you put up with (at least how much you put up with from me) and I truly appreciate it. Virginia Tumasz may not fully know the impact she has had on my experience at U of C but it has been immense and positive. You always made the time to meet with me and really listened to what was going on. Your confidence in me boosted my own and your example gives me something for which to strive in the future. Anne Lennox not only helped me inordinately with my work, but also showed me the full extent of kindness and true friendship. I will never forget how generous you have been. I don't honestly know how to acknowledge and thank Michèle Nanchoff-Glatt. Though you certainly didn’t sign on for it, you became the best PhD mentor I could have asked for. Your never-ending support, counsel, wisdom, and humour have guided me through this marathon when I not only couldn’t see where I was going, but couldn’t remember how to put one foot in front of the other. I will always be grateful for how much you have given me. All the chocolate in the world might adequately express my appreciation. To my wonderful friends, both in Calgary and far too far away: It is little hyperbole that doing a dissertation makes one a complete social recluse. I am fortunate enough to have a number of true friends who have stuck by me. Thank you to each of you for cheering me on, not giving up on me, and reminding me what is really important. To my beautiful friend Jenn, my BAE partner-in-crime, I owe a debt of gratidude for calming me down, letting me vent every frustration and concern, and cheering me on without hesitation. If we can make it through Hebrew and Greek, we can make it through anything. While writing my dissertation, I found a home away from home. I cannot adequately describe how much being a part of PhinisheD has helped me. Thank you all for understanding, listening, not judging, caring, and providing all the vibes I needed. To my family, Micah, Thu, and Akiva; Kevin and Dahlia, I thank you for loving me, rooting for me, and offering encouragement even when you readily admitted to having no clue what the hell I was doing. Or why. Your love, support, strength, and humour kept and keep me going. It is a very lucky person who can count each of her siblings (and siblings- in-law) among her closest friends. I also want to express my love and my appreciation for my Zaidie. Having you in my life makes it infinitely richer. If anyone has taught me about perseverance and work ethic, it’s my Zaidie. L’chaim. v Gramma has showed me, above all else, how to truly live life: with a smile, a song, and a hearty yahoo! You are an inspiration to me and I cannot emphasize enough how much your support means to me. I know that both my Bubba and my Papa have been with me throughout this journey. I can feel my Bubba shepping nachas for me. Bubba, you helped mom be the strong, compassionate woman she is today. She has faithfully passed on your legacy to me. To my Papa. You instilled a deep love of learning and a strong sense of pride and commitment in dad who followed your example and shared those qualitites with his kinder. I know how important education and striving to achieve one’s goals were to you. I wish you could see me now Papa. To my mom and dad. I have gone through many drafts of these thoughts, discarding each in turn because they simply fail to capture the magnitude of my feelings. You have shown me every imaginable type of support without fail. I have wanted to make you proud my whole life while at the same time recognizing that I did not actually have to do anything to get there. Your support and encouragement have been unwavering. You make me believe in myself and make me want to be a better person. For my dad, who has read and edited every single paper I have written since third year undergrad, who challenges me to think critically and pursue my work with determination and focus, who has been my best guide for what it means to be successful in work and in life, who has let me be the teacher (sometimes) as well as the learner, who has taught me to always strive for more than good enough, I can only say: My daddy told me that I love you.
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