A Jew in Sun Country
Cross-posted to the Debate Link
On my recent trip to New York, I flew Sun Country Air. I’ve used them before, and have had generally positive experiences. For flights in and out of Minneapolis, they are far cheaper than the competition, especially the exorbitant fares charged by Northwest, which dominates the airport. They fly direct, which is nice for me, in comparison to the other major low-fare airline that goes to MSP–AirTran, which directs all its flights through Atlanta (Atlanta is not exactly on the way between the Twin Cities and DC). And their flights are normally uncrowded–not a good sign of profitability, but far more comfortable to fly in.
The flights on this trip were delayed on both ends, but that was more a function of JFK International being a complete mess than anything the airline did. However, I did have a rather peculiar experience flying home. Sun Country offers a hot sandwich as its “snack” on the flight. The way there, it was turkey pastrami. Coming back, it was a cheeseburger. Being a semi-kosher Jew, I can’t eat cheeseburgers. I asked if they had one without cheese, and the flight attendant told me, sorry, they don’t. So I told her they should have a few without cheese, because sometimes Jews fly too. And she looked at me and said, half-indulgently and half-patronizingly, “well, we can’t have everything.”
She didn’t say it mean, exactly, but the tone of voice made me feel as if I was making some wildly unreasonable demand of her company. And I resent being made to feel that way. I don’t like it when Judaism is treated as some strange and mysterious cult, and I don’t think its utter craziness to set aside a few hamburgers without cheese so that people who–because they keep kosher, or are lactose intolerant, or whatever–can’t have cheeseburgers still can eat. But I didn’t say any of that. I don’t like to make a fuss. So I accepted a small, significantly less filling cookie, and sat quietly for the rest of the flight.
Of course, the ordeal was even more awkward for me because of my own imperfect record of keeping kosher. Though I still don’t ever eat bacon or shellfish, the “milk/meat” mix rule has started to fall apart significantly. The turkey pastrami sandwich on the way there had some hot goo on it which “for all I knew was mayonnaise”, but pretty surely was cheese. I eat Philly Cheese Steaks without embarrassment now, and Chicken Parmesan as well. But, in my childhood, cheeseburgers were the quintessential example of an “unkosher food”, something everybody ate but I didn’t. As such, even though I don’t really honor the rule which prevents me from eating it anymore, it occupies a peculiar space in my psyche that turns it into a sort of redline: if I start eating cheeseburgers, I’ve crossed over into total non-kosherness. So, unlike the pastrami, I refused the cheeseburger, and sat hungrily in my chair. Academically, I think this sort of negotiation over how to be Jewish in the modern world is totally legitimate. But practically speaking, it makes it hard for me to truly press that the airline accommodate kosher preferences.
But even still, this experience really impressed upon me that, even though Jews are treated pretty well in America and are reasonably comfortable here, we’re still “strangers in a strange land.” If I was flying El Al, this event would not have happened. My imperfect little negotiations would have been a moot point, and it’s nice sometimes to not have to deliberate about which little sacrifices to my Judaism I’m willing to make to be a non-obtrusive citizen. What this event signifies is that even minority groups which are on relatively friendly terms with majority culture still remain minority groups. There is always that moment of strangeness, and the more common those moments are, the more stressful life can be. It’s nice sometimes to be able to retreat into my own space–the Jewish Students Center at Carleton, for example–where I know I’m not going to be weird because I’m Jewish. And because of that experience, I feel I have an obligation to support similar cultural spaces for other minority groups who are “strangers in a strange land”, and should not have to always be a minority, all of the time.
25 Responses to “A Jew in Sun Country”
Food restrictions always struck me as a particularly silly aspect of religons. I can understand eating specific foods on holy days and such to recreate or mimic a past event, like Passover, but removing entire types of food? I seriously have trouble believing in a huge omnipotent creator, the guy that spins the trillions of galaxies in the heavens, really gets irked when his followers down some shellfish or a cheeseburger. You just know some ancient priest got ahold of some wayward bacon and now no one can eat it because he spent 3 days on the toilet.
I think because of the high profile of so many people of Jewish background people don’t realize how small a percentage of the population they represent. 2% of US population. When you divide that by those who don’t follow dietary restrictions it really is a small amount. I am surprised however that an airline flying out of new york wouldn’t carry kosher meals, I mean if there was anyplace where you would need to have kosher meals NY would be it.
Well the no meat and cheese thing is one of the lesser known aspsects of kosher dining. As a gentile with a jewish best friend since 3rd grade, I for one somehow didn’t find that one out till after high school. Most of us just know about the pork and shellfish ones.
I am allergic to peanuts. Many airlines have at least some awareness of this now, but on a recent flight the “snack” options were between peanut butter crackers and a bag of peanuts.
I wish they were more aware of this and completely switch to pretzels, but old habits seem to die hard. For example, certain airlines let you buy a snack for $5. I think that maybe one or two of the five options contain no peanuts.
You really can’t please everyone and while I’m not Jewish wouldn’t it being easy take away much of the point “kosherness”? I imagine at one time there were viable health reasons for these dietary restrictions (or most of them) and were incorporated into religion to get people to adhere to them. Now the main reason would be in maintaining or honoring your heritage/faith. If it’s easy then it’s not much in the way of honoring is it? I’m really not trying to be snarky I think many people need, and are mentally much healthier, to observe, have faith, and be a part of something. I just think a little self sacrifice is part of that.
David – While I no longer keep Kosher, I can understand your uncomfortableness. Take care of yourself. L’shanah tovah.
It seems to me that those with special dietary requiremtns could just call ahead of time to see what would be available. If the needs worn;t be met, one can always brown bag lunch..
In some places, it’s easier to keep kosher. I grew up Classic Reform in the Midwest, we ate bacon and shrimp but not pork or ham.
When I koshered my kitchen some years back, it became the first kosher kitchen in my family since my great-grandfather died in 1964. I keep a dairy kitchen and do not eat meat at all anymore except at the synagogue and in homes with kosher kitchens.
I agree with Doma. You make the adjustments you need to make in order to follow dietary restrictions of your religion. The schools here in our county in GA don’t offer meatless choices on Fridays in Lent, but we deal- and I don’t consider it as a personal affront. I just assume there aren’t enough Catholic students who observe fast and abstinence for the school board to be concerned about it.
Besides, I can’t remember the last time an airline even offered me a meal- I’d count myself lucky to even have any food beyond small snacks available.
Let me say that I am an avid supporter of the Jewish people and my bestest friend in the world is a practicing Jew.
However the above post is precisely why the jews are perceived as being incapable of getting along with anyone. Life should meet their RELIGIOUS EXPECTATIONS and if it doesnt…..well then something SHOULD change.
Holly another Jew here at TMV basically told me one day in posting that my religion didnt matter and that she was basically laughing at my beliefs.
My response to her was the same. This is exactly why the Jews have such a hard time getting along with anyone and everyone and yet they stand back and point fingers at the Muslims and say………if they would just change their “Ways” which implies religious beliefs..then all would be well.
Only a Jew could make no cheeseburgers on a flight a serious issue in an attempt to make the airline seem antisemitic.
I can only shake my head and wonder sometimes why I continue to support the Jewish people who are the most closed minded people on earth……right next I suppose to Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Gays and Straight people.
Somebody, this is ignorant nonsense. Please go educate yourself.
Holly your response is exactly the one I would expect.
Christians can be called war mongering, end of the world advocates and all is well.
Even the remotest criticism of a JEW and what happens………This is IGNORANT NONSENSE. That is always the exact narrow minded response I get from my Jewish friend to whenever I criticise the Jewish nation or the Jewish people.
Christians and Muslims and everyone else on the face of the earth need to Educate Themselves. Jews however have all the answers.
Holly Mabey its time for the Jews to go educate themselves and get rid of some of their narrow minded ignorance.
I have to agree with the general sentiment that, if the restrictions are self-imposed, it’s your responsibility to phone ahead.
She still could have been more tactful.
somebody I think you are projecting. What I got from this post was not that anyone was anti-semitic but rather the angst and alienation that can occur by being a (basically self imposed) minority. There is also the question about maintaining the restrictions that put you in the minority or letting go and loosing something of yourself.
Bones I understand what this post was about and if you reread my initial post I will quote once again.
I can only shake my head and wonder sometimes why I continue to support the Jewish people who are the most closed minded people on earth……right next I suppose to Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Gays and Straight people.
This pretty much includes the entire worlds population. I think I Implied quite strongly that EVERYONE is close minded. Yet if you came away from my post with the concept that I was bashing Jews then Once again the point is proven that: Any remote hint that you are Jew Bashing is met with cries of “Ignorant nonsense” and please check into the local political correctness clinic for reeducation.
I will stand by my assertion that the Jewish people need to open their minds a little bit however. I think that their “Were right and the rest of the world just dont get it” attitude causes them more problems then they realize.
A woman on a commuter train began to panic because she is allergic to perfume and there were some heavy perfume wearers in the car. Although she became quite abusive, I could overlook that, because she was in obvious distress.
Still, being aware of her allergy, can she really expect the whole world to shun perfume use because of her medical problem? IIMO, it would have been wiser to accept that she is in the minority and is bound to meet people wearing perfume. Wearing a filtering mask and arming herself with
medication seems like the most rational way to go.
There are all kinds of minorities in the US, not all of them bound to religion or eithnicity Going by the numbers (% of pupulation) Jews have achieved more recognition and sensitivity to their needs and interests than almost any other group. In fact, Jews are envied by less reoognized minorities for this success
When you are a minority, you are a minority, and I don’t see any shame or chagrin in accepting that fact. It’s up to the individual to find how to live in the majority’s culture while accomodating your minority specialness..
With an increasing number of Muslims here, should all work (including the stock exchange) stop five times a day so they can pray?
That was the statement I was referring to so no, I don’t need to read your post again. I did not accuse you of “Jew-Bashing” as you put it. Rather that your view that the OP was claiming anti-semitism as the reason for the airline serving cheese burgers. That does not seem to be the case at all. I did not come “away from my post with the concept that I was bashing Jews”. Instead I? think you climbed on your soap box to complain about something that didn’t happen and are to busy being defensive to notice.
Being a semi-kosher Jew, I can’t eat cheeseburgers. I asked if they had one without cheese, and the flight attendant told me, sorry, they don’t. So I told her they should have a few without cheese, because sometimes Jews fly too. And she looked at me and said, half-indulgently and half-patronizingly, “well, we can’t have everything.â€
but the tone of voice made me feel as if I was making some wildly unreasonable demand of her company.
Of course, the ordeal was even more awkward for me because of my own imperfect record of keeping kosher.
I think strongly implied in these statements is that NO Hamburger turned his flight into an ORDEAL.
When I implied such. Holly Responded with:Somebody, this is ignorant nonsense. Please go educate yourself.
To which now you are lecturing me for attempting to be amused at a poor jew who had to suffer the ORDEAL of having no Hamburgers on his flight.
Wow.
I’m sorta with Somebody on this one. The post is basically a complaint that the airline didn’t have a meal respecting the dietary requirements of 3% of the population, a good portion of which ignore said requirement. Obviously the poster was bothered by it enough to write about it.
If you feel like strangers in a strange land, its because anyone who holds a minority belief, which I think 3% counts as, is going to feel like that from time to time. But c’mon, it can’t be that hard to understand. Even the posts author admits to an imperfect record which means he can see where the stewardess is coming from.
No I am saying you’re to busy hollering from your soap box to care about what the post seems to say.
That really seems to key in on bashing others for anti semitism to you?
Personally I think anyone who tries to be amused when others feel bad has issues.
Again this is the comment of yours I replied to and again the OP never said anyone was anti-semitic. tho I must say making sweeping claims about a whole race of people is usually not considered good form.
Sam I would agree that there really is nothing to complain about not having special accomodations being available to every possible person. As I read the post although the airline was prominent in the story it seems to me it was much more about the feeling and internal conflict that arose from the incident rather than any condemnation about what happened.
The (few) kosher-keeping Jews I’ve spoken to who fly all know (just like vegetarians know) that they have to call ahead in order to ensure that they get the right meal. Not a single one of them ever seemed to think this was strange or unreasonable. When you are a small minority with a very specific need it’s natural that you don’t expect accommodations to be simply there. People who are diabetic or lactose intolerant of gluten intolerant are in a much tighter spot, and I bet get catered to less in their NEED than the religious in there PREFERENCE. I’m sure that when a married Gay man wants to book something with his spouse he won’t get offended if (without seeing the name or face) the person simply assumes it’s a woman, at least as long as there are no further problems once it’s cleared up.
That said the same Jews I’ve talked to say that Kosher food on planes tastes better. Having flown El Al Airline (where all the food is Kosher) I’m inclined to agree, I’d never before actually wolfed down an airline meal and wished I could have seconds.
“I’d never before actually wolfed down an airline meal and wished I could have seconds.”
Indeed. Come to think of it who needs religous issues to be offended by airline food?
we’re still “strangers in a strange land.†If I was flying El Al, this event would not have happened. My imperfect little negotiations would have been a moot point, and it’s nice sometimes to not have to deliberate about which little sacrifices to my Judaism I’m willing to make to be a non-obtrusive citizen.
It’s nice sometimes to be able to retreat into my own space–the Jewish Students Center at Carleton, for example–where I know I’m not going to be weird because I’m Jewish.
Every thing about this article Says Its an “ORDEAL” to be a Jew in America. Even down to not getting a Hamburger instead of a cheeseburger on his flight.
Bones its obvious to me that you and I read a different article. This article is one sentence away from crying “Anti Semitic America”. Its on the surface. Just there waiting to be said but alas it is never said, but greatly implied.
Ill give you the last word because you have ultimately proven my point which is:
If you choose to talk about a Jew, their long suffering or their religion then you are ultimately going to be accused, abused and end up confused and quite likely get pronouncements such as this:Somebody, this is ignorant nonsense. Please go educate yourself.
It is only in dealing with the Jews of this world are we villified if we do not fall into lock step “Amen Brother!!” mode when they speak, act or otherwise conduct their daily business.
As I said and will repeat. Only a Jew could turn not getting a cheeseburger on a flight into an anti semitic episode.
There is no one who is less of an Anti Semite then I and more of a Jewish supporter, but Im sorry this article just smoozes of “Woe is the Jew” to me and I found it comical in fact. So much so that I dared……yes Dared to say something that might be construed as anti semitic.
Woe is me.