Jews in America

I know I mentioned little bit about consumer culture and the way it shaped Jews in class, but I've got more insight. Consumer subcultures were becoming prevalent in the United States, claiming parts of cities and certain ethnic business districts. Jewish people took part in these subculture divisions. Their participation in mainstream culture developed, advertisements started to appear in their native language, newspapers were distributed in Yiddish and English. This pushed the Jewish people into the consumer light and led them to become a market within themselves.

Manufacturers now targeted the Jewish market through media, toy development, Synagogue gift shops, and through Kosher food products. Also, consumption on Jewish holidays changed. Specific table settings and outfits were required for certain religious events. Hanukkah, which used to be a minor holiday, was now using it's closeness to Christmas as an advantage. Producers selling to Jews tried to equate Hanukkah to Christmas and rid envy of Jewish children of the gifts that were associated with Christmas. Bar and Bat mitzvahs have also gone down a consumption pattern with cards, gifts, and receptions that resemble those of weddings sometimes.

Some say consumer culture has destroyed the old Jewish ways by turning tradition into mainstream. But for others, the spread of Jewish ways is seen as a positive promotion of their history and a positive spread of their ideas.