Transcript chapter 1 the multicultural journey to cultural competence

CHAPTER 20
COUNSELING JEWISH
AMERICANS
Statistics on Jewish
Americans
 The Jewish population in the United States is 5.2 million.
 Jewish Americans have long been the targets of discrimination and hate
crimes.
 Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Israel.
 The Jewish population in the United States is the largest in the world.
 Many Jewish people immigrated from Russia, Austria-Hungary, and
Romania between 1880 and 1942.
 Of the Jews outside the United States most are from the former Soviet
Union.
 The Jewish population is falling rapidly due to low fertility and marrying
out.
 Most do not follow all religious traditions, but celebrate holidays such as
Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and Passover.
Experiences with Prejudice
and Discrimination
 The Holocaust killed over 6 million Jews and left
many Jewish people poor, displaced, and without
families.
 Hate crimes against Jews are on the rise.
 Many Jewish people fought for civil rights for
people of color in the 1960s.
 Holocaust deniers are individuals who do not
acknowledge or who question the existence of the
genocide that occurred during World War II.
Experiences with Prejudice
and Discrimination
 Some Jews experience guilt for not practicing
traditional Jewish customs.
 For many, a Jewish identity centers around a
common experience and history.
 Examples of Jewish microaggressions include
assigning intelligence, giving preference to
Christians, and lack of recognition of Jews during
multicultural discussions.
Judaism
 Judaism is the belief in one omnipotent God who
created humankind—it is one of the earliest
monotheistic religions.
 Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a time set
aside to atone for sins during the past year.
 The synagogue is a place of worship.
 There are many forms of Judaism, ranging from
more conservative (e.g., Orthodox) to progressive.
Ethnic Identity Issues
 For many, a Jewish identity centers around a common
experience and history.
 There is no one Jewish identity.
 Schlosser (2009) believes that Jewish people go through the
following stages of ethnic identity:
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Lack of awareness
Gradual awareness
Comparison of Jewish identity with other religions such as
Christianity
Development of a sense of Jewishness
Integration of Jewish with other identities
Implications for Clinical Practice
 Be respectful of and knowledgeable about Jewish
culture.
 Do not overlook or dismiss Jewish traditions,
values, and religious rituals.
 Validate Jewish religious holidays.
 Understand the spectrum of Jewish identities within
the Jewish population.
 Do not blame the victim.
Implications for Clinical Practice
 Counselors should be aware of their own values,
assumptions, and biases that may be detrimental to
Jewish clients.
 Consult with a rabbi as needed.
 Be aware of policies that do not take Jewish
American concerns into account.
 Understand that Jewish people may suffer from
discrimination.
 Do not make assumptions about ones’ Jewish
identity.