Michael Jackson’s Jewish kids
Posted by mixedjewgirl on June 30, 2009
Michael Jackson's Children
Buzz has been given to Michael Jackson’s ex wife Debbie Rowe’s Jewish status. Some Jewish bloggers wonder whether or not she should be given custody and raise the children as Jews. Personally, I’m underwhelmed with their tacit discussion of a very important aspect of this situation, race.
While it is debated as to whether or not Prince Michael and Paris Michael are the late “King of Pop’s” biological children. If Michael is the biological father, I wonder if they will find acceptance in the Jewish community. Michael Jackson’s eccentricity aside, many biracial Jewish children of African descent don’t find acceptance in the Jewish community. Many of them are constantly questioned about their Jewishness, told they can’t possibly be Jewish, even if they are lighter.
The Jewish community cannot simply ignore the reality of interracial Jewish couples. Many interracial Jewish couples receive little encouragement or support from the community for instilling a Jewish identity. These couples and their children are discarded by the Jewish mainstream.
I had recent conversations interracial Jewish couples. One couple, an Ashkenazi Jewish man and a Black Jewish woman dual Jewish household doesn’t belong to a schul because of discrimination. They haven’t found a welcoming place as a Jewish couple. Yet another couple has decided to raise their children as Unitarians because they feel they will find more acceptance for their children in that group.
In adulthood, too many biracial Jews find that they are not truly part of the mishpach. The Jew of color world has far too many Jews of color who cannot find Jewish mates because they are not seen as Jews. Prince and Paris could be raised Jewishly to find out as adults that no one considers them worthy marriage partners.
I truly believe that many people advocating for Michael Jackson’s children to be raised as Jews don’t comprehend the attitudes of their peers. However, we should refrain from giving advice without understanding the situation at hand. If we want Prince and Paris to become part of our community, we must first address how we treat interracial Jewish families.
Linda said
My beautiful “mixed” (aren’t we all?) grandchildren have been warmly embraced by Jews in my community – especially Lubavitch and other orthodox and young “conservadox”… Not so with reformed, conservative, etc. The fact that racism exists in the Jewish community is beyond absurd, given our history!
Please check out Ayecha on Yahoo Groups…
B’Shalom, Linda
Marian said
I think whether they are accepted depends on several variables:
–if they affliate and practice Judaism
–where they live
I live in the South and there are several mixed families and several Black families just in my Reform congregation.
–if they pass Judaism on to their own kids
I get the impression that MJ’s family is deeply Christian. I doubt that they would bring the kids up Jewish. Judaism may be something they have to discover once they grow up.
mixedjewgirl said
1. Michael Jackson’s family is Jehovah’s Witness
2. Just because Jews of color attend a congregations doesn’t always mean we feel accepted. One of the discussions at the Jewish Multiracial Network Retreat is that many adults felt the synagogue was welcoming to them doesn’t really mean the kids of color felt welcome there.
3. Michael was raising the kids Muslim.
4. They may never feel a need to explore Judaism. They might be happier as Gentiles.
Marian said
Agreed about Michael Jackson’s kids.
I mention my congregation because, out of the three Reform and six total, it has the most Black members. It is one of the things that we remark about among ourselves: with out different paths, we all ended up at the same congregation. The kids that remain in town are still active in the congregation.