Instapundit links to this article about the burgeoning interest in the study of Judaism apparently taking place in Korea. Fascinating stuff and something I never really noticed during my time there. I was more than aware of the seemingly ever expanding Christian influence as evidenced by a skyline filled with neon crosses, numerous mega-churches, and street missionaries with loud speakers. Anyway, given the thousands of years that Korea has been locked in the vice between Japan and China and subject to frequent invasions and dominance from one of the other it’s perhaps understandable that they can relate to the historic plight of the Jews.
When I first saw the article I was reminded of a scene from the Showtime series Shameless. One of the characters had written a term paper for a Korean-American high school student. When the Korean kid attempted to negotiate a “discount” from the previously agreed upon price, the frustrated American said “no wonder Koreans are called the Jews of Asia” to which the Korean indignantly replied “that’s racist!”.
Which in turn reminds me of the struggle I have had these past few months breaking Jee Yeun’s habit of always trying to negotiate a reduction on fixed prices here in the states. She usually gets a blank stare when she makes that uniquely Korean hand gesture and says “price down–give me discount”. Although to be fair, she did secure a reduced price on a new mattress set. Maybe I should just shut up and let her utilize her all those Jewish Korean skills!
I saw that article referenced over at the MH this weekend, which prompted me to post this funny story:
The previous Jewish post reminds me of a story I heard from a friend of my (late) Father for the first time last year. When I was a kid, my Dad had a job at the local Jewish Community Center for many years – though we were not Jewish, I guess they were an equal opportunity employer. He was active in the local JCC theater troupe, and on this occasion (probably early 1970′s) he was doing set design for a production of The Sound of Music. He had also been enlisted as an extra to play one of the Nazi guards in the final scenes of the play.
This friend was working on the sound system one night, and up on stage my Dad was building the set for the chapel scene, complete with a large cross. The costume mistress had just arrived with the uniforms, and asked my Dad to try on his Nazi uniform to check the size.
At this inopportune moment, a senior member of the local Jewish community happened to wander into the theater. Seeing a Nazi guard, standing in a replica chapel in front of a cross, inside the Jewish Community Center theater, was too much for him. He quite understandably flew off in a rage. The sound man told me the last he remembers was my Dad carrying the cross out back to the dumpster under strict orders from the JCC director.
That’s hilarious Chris! Thanks for sharing.