This gallery of US Presidents and those seeking the office, wearing kippot, also known as yarmulkes and skullcaps, is quite amazing. What does it mean that a garment designed to publicly mark its wearer as a Jew, can be found on all of these non-Jews? Could there be more powerful evidence of Jews, including those who are religiously observant, having fully arrived in American political culture? Are we really up to that kind of success?
As I look at the images of these world leaders so at ease (well, some look more so than others) in their kippot, I wonder about how uneasy so many Jews seem to be in the presence of religious expression that is not Jewish. I appreciate that as a minority, Jews are often worried about being “overwhelmed” by the majority culture. But that fear needs to be proportional to our success as a part of that very same culture. And frankly, I worry that it is not. We are far more adept at seeing the threats, than appreciating the success. And our general suspicion about the public religious practices of others, particularly Christians, is proof of that.
Don’t get me wrong, that response made a great deal of sense for almost two thousand years – years during which Jews were often punished by Christians in the name of Christ. Maintaining that posture when the punishment has largely gone away however, is as senseless as it once was wise. Beyond the pride that is evoked by seeing these pictures, we need to ask ourselves a great many questions which make sure that the pride is a healthy expression of the normalcy that Jews and Judaism. Without such questions, that normalcy can easily become a fear-driven triumphalism that celebrates what others “do for us” without asking about the new obligations that arise from the success and normalcy that define Jewish experience in contemporary America.
For example, how often do we see Jewish political candidates participating in church? When we do, do we simply assume that it is necessary politicking and not a genuinely spiritual moment? If so, then why do we not judge the guys in kippot the same way, thus stripping the pictures of the pride-inducing power which they possess? Do you think that any of these men feel “less Christian” because they put on a kippah? What about a Jew participating in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony?
It seems to me that each new level of success experienced by any religious or ethnic community must invite an equally new level of reflection about how that group relates to the larger community. These pictures are powerful because they portray people who don’t feel less like themselves because they participate in the practices of others. And while there will always be limits on how far each of us feels we can go in such shared participation, it’s a question that we must never stop asking.
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted September 2, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Nobody wore a kippa like Bill Clinton!
I also liked the look of Prince Charles in one.
posted September 2, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I think this is a kind of “when in Rome” thing for non-Jews. Politically, it is the equivalent of eating at local BBQs, kissing babies, etc.
posted September 2, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thanks Brad for posting!
Someone asked me if a Israeli politicians visiting a US church would ever don a cross.
To me, I see a difference. A skullcap is not necessarily a uniquely “Jewish” concept. The Pope also wheres a skullcap.
Whereas a cross is directly related to Jesus.
Does this make sense?
posted September 3, 2008 at 12:17 am
if in Rome is correct.
if a Jew goes to a church they do not wear a hat
if ANY non Jew goes to a Jewish house of worship and they are male they don a kippot to show respect.
I have seen Jews who keep on a hat or kipot(yalmulka)in a church and men who did not don a head covering in a Jewish house of worship who were not Jewish. They feel they are not disresptful to the religon they are not who’s “house” they are visiting but being true to their own faith.
Kinda depends on how one looks at things!
hugs
Laura
posted September 3, 2008 at 11:30 am
If the non-Jew is attending a prayer service, then he should don a kippah out of respect for our faith. If he’s entering for a secular purpose, such as honoring a jewish leader, then no. If, to use another example, a non-Muslim were entering that part of the mosque where services are conducted, he,along with everyone else, would take his shoes off, as the Muslims do.
posted September 3, 2008 at 1:50 pm
This is part of a larger discussion of three related but different things:
1) How does/should one interact generally with the people, traditions, places and objects of another religious tradition?
2) What actions do we expect/require of leaders courting our support?
3) What actions do we the people consider acceptable/ appropriate/ or mandatory behavior by our leaders when they encounter a leader from elsewhere or a leader of a different sort?
For myself, I would be offended if my president were to exhibit the protocols appropriate to a British subject when meeting Queen Elizabeth II. I would be offended if my president (even if he were Roman Catholic) were to kiss the ring of the Pope or a bishop. These are examples from two distinct sides of the issue: a leader of one country should not act like the subject of another country’s leader or figurehead; and the representative of a multi-religious nation should not, while in office except in completely private ways and places, subject him or herself to the authority or standing of any religious leader.
But those objections and examples are related to the way a leader should interact with other leaders. When it comes to showing respect for the places, traditions, and objects of a group to which the leader does not belong, on the other hand, a great deal of care must be taken to determine whether a show of respect would do more harm than good both in society at large and within the group one is visiting as an outsider. It is a political calculus that involves a certain amount of unavoidable cynicism. Currently, the cynicism on the part of America’s voters paves the way for antisemites to excuse their candidate’s donning of a kippa as just another political move needed to get votes. This may or may not be the analysis of the candidate, but it is always part of the political equation. But the result is that not all groups are “courted” in the same way. I don’t see America at large being very forgiving of presidential candidates showing equivalent ease with the accoutrements of some other religions.
Personally, I would prefer that a leader or presidential candidate be willing to show respect to all religions of which he is not a part but do so in such a way that no group is more honored or respected than any other. It is part of the idea of the candidate and later the president being of and for all citizens equally.
My first question is perhaps more complicated because it doesn’t involve us acting on anyone’s behalf but only as ourselves. An open mind and a well-guided conscience have to do their individual work to determine how we individually act in the presence of a group of which we are not a part. But this is still intertwined inextricably with the political calculi.
L’Shalom,
Chaim
posted September 3, 2008 at 3:12 pm
On those occasions when I have been in various churches, either as part of a wedding party, a wedding guest or to say farewell to a departed friend, I’ve followed custom… to a point. As a non-catholic, I did not genuflect when approaching the altar or entering a pew, neither did I kneel during the service. I did rise when that was part of the service. In protestant churches, we followed the same principles.
Any guest in any congregation I’ve been part of over the years follows that congregation’s customs. Now, I would not be pleased if any pol, no matter what level, did not follow the customs.
As far as a U S president bowing to a foreign monarch, THAT is a NO NO. Equals do not bow to one another. If a Roman Catholic President were to visit his Pope as an individual, he is free to conform to to the customs of his faith. However, when The Head of the US visists the Head of the Vatican, or vice versa, it is a meeting of equals, irrespective of the faith of the President, thus no bowing or ring kissing in public.
The above is my opinion, I’m not certain what the arbiters of protocol have to say on the issue. Perhaps a reader with an “in” at the State Department can get the answer.
posted September 4, 2008 at 11:33 am
Whenever a non-Jewish President or other Politician enter a synagogue or other Jewish Holy sites, they must wear a yalmulka. However, if a religious Jew who wears a yalmulka, he must wear it in other non-Jewish religious places.
posted September 25, 2008 at 10:13 pm
My boyfriend’s father passed away in May, and at his funeral all the boys were wearing kippahs. It was windy that day, and every few minutes someone’s would fall off. When it was picked up off the ground, it was quickly kissed by everyone who passed it back to the one who was wearing it. Why is that?