Points of conflict and disunity

Kosher or not, that is the question

The organizers

“What was very difficult at the beginning was the fact that, in details, very different lifestyles were represented. All of a sudden, we had to face them together.

An example was the argument we had about ketchup on the first evening together. We had all agreed to keep kosher. But now it came out that there is kosher and non-kosher ketchup, and we had only the non-kosher brand. The result was a heated discussion on the question whether everybody should be bound to observe the Jewish law or not.

Some were of the opinion, when we are all living together, then we should all keep together. Others objected that we were of different faiths and should be allowed to live differently. From our Christian background, we had been rather naive in our thinking. We thought everything would work out if we simply stuck to vegetarian food. But for religious Jews it is impossible to overlook the details of keeping kosher.”

David (a Jewish boy)
 
“When the second phase began and we came together, all three religions under one roof, the Christians suddenly seemed to stand alone over against the Jews and Muslims. In the common house, a kosher kitchen was set up. The Muslims had no problems with this, but the Christians had first to get to know what kosher meant. The Christian group felt cornered and didn't know how to react, not wanting to offend the other religions.”

Dilek (the Muslim girl)
 
“Neco (a Muslim) and Genrich (a Jew) had gone in advance to set things up in the common house and to separate the kitchen for meat and dairy products.

Already on the first evening there was a blow-up. At first I felt lost, not knowing what dishes belonged where and which dishes I should use for one purpose or the other. After a few days, however, things became easier.”

Kida (a Muslim boy)
 

jokingly pointed to his breasts: “Did you know that Pamela Anderson isn't kosher? Lots of meat and lots of milk …”