I had never heard of Jamaica Bay before reading this article, and I didn’t realize certain Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods were considered part of it, or at least close enough to be important to the community (for example, Howard Beach).  The ethnic changes in the area are interesting, especially after completing the Peopling of New York City (seminar 2).  The signs of white flight and the new communities should be interesting to see develop; will new cultural practices help or harm the preservation of the Bay Area?  This question reminds me of an observation Saul and I made after watching the short documentary about preserving the Bay in Monday’s class: all the people advocating the preservation of the Bay were older people.  After reading the article, “older people” becomes narrowed to “older white men.”   In addition, possible conflicts are mentioned in the reading; for example, “Despite… efforts, Hindu offerings continue to wash up along the shores of Jamaica Bay…” (pp. 128).  However, this particular problem has been improving.  “In addition to organizing several beach clean-ups, The Federation of Hindu Mandirs and the USA Pandit Parishoners, along with leadership from the Shri Tamurti Brahvan temple, have taken action to educate devotees about the ecological consequences of puja offerings. Conse- quently, Dr. DhanPaul Narine and Mr. Naidoo Veerapan believe that religious remnants on the shores of Jamaica Bay have declined as a result…” (pp. 128).  So with education, problems such as these may be prevented or resolved.

The religious uses of Jamaica Bay connect with culture.  As aforementioned, some of Jamaica Bay’s Hindu population leaves puja offerings in the Bay’s water, which while a hazard to the Bay’s ecosystem, shows how community members connect with their environment; if they had moved to, say, Harlem, these Hindus would not have a nearby water source to practice their beliefs.  But because Jamaica Bay is so close, they utilize their habitat.  Formerly, the Jewish community would use the willow branches in Jamaica Bay for a certain practice, but recently that use has declined, because it is often considered stealing (which is against Jewish law).  This brings the question of ownership to mind: who really owns the park/public land?  By law, yes, the government.  But since many parks are made with their users (the public) in mind, what efforts should be made to accommodate the different cultural groups of Jamaica Bay (and other parks)?  If, for example, the use of willow branches was not harmful to the Bay area, should the Jewish population be able to use said branches, or at least a certain number of them?

(Also, I didn’t know that Jamaica Bay was where Floyd-Bennet Field is located, so I did not realize my brother and friends had just participated in the “Run For Your Life” zombie race this past weekend.)

Even though a big portion of Chapter 3 focused on figures and graphs, I really enjoyed reading about neighborhoods that I am familiar with in Brooklyn and learning more about their history. I am actually moving to the Gerritsen Beach area, so it was cool to read about the area’s history, especially because I’ve noticed the Italian/Irish majority in the neighborhood itself (I’ve seen Irish and Italian flags hung outside many homes). I’m also familiar with Sheepshead Bay because I used to attend the Bay Academy which was right next to the end of the big bay on Emmons Avenue and West End Avenue. When reading about all of the neighborhoods I was familiar with, I found myself agreeing with every analyzation that Chapter 3 talked about; I’ve experienced all of these neighborhood communities firsthand and know which immigrants dominate which neighborhood. However, I found it strange that Borough Park was included in the list of neighborhoods that are near Jamaica Bay because it is in fact nowhere near Jamaica Bay. A multitude of neighborhoods are much closer to Jamaica Bay than Borough Park, like Manhattan Beach or Midwood. Even Brooklyn College is closer to Jamaica Bay than Borough Park.

I didn’t know just how important Jamaica Bay was for immigrants until reading the last two chapters. I thought Chapter 5 was very well-organized because it first gave a little bit of history of the religious denomination that was being described before shifting to how the religious community was tied to Jamaica Bay. It was unfortunate to read about the tension between the National Park Service and members of the Hindu community because of the puja ceremonies. It seemed like there was no right answer to this problem. It’s extremely important for people to feel comfortable when practicing their respective religion, but leaving trash in the Jamaica Bay crosses the line. We need to keep our environment clean and safe, and leaving discarded items, even if you’re following a sacred tradition, is out of the question.

After reading about the eruvim in Chapter 5, I thought about whether I have seen these structures before and perhaps not realized it. It was interesting to read about yet another religious controversy that was focused around Jamaica Bay, especially since it involved a completely different religion: Judaism instead of Hinduism. I thought it was interesting to notice that different religions can be connected through the idea that both see water and Jamaica Bay as a place of symbolism and purity, no matter what their central belief is. I believe that it’s imperative that the National Park Service addresses the needs of these religious communities and creates solutions that allow the groups to continue their rituals and ceremonies without harming their environment. Both sides of the debate will definitely need to be more open-minded and understanding if any solution is to be anticipated in the near future.

Reading the assigned chapters of NPS really provided insight into the Jamaica Bay and the people who inhabit the area around it. Considering the fact that I had never even heard of the Jamaica Bay before this past Monday’s class, I was shocked to read about how important it is to the lives of so many people and how the people who have emigrated to the area have not only changed the dynamics of the Bay, but have also utilized the resources the Bay provides. Not only does the Jamaica Bay foster a great deal of biological and ecological diversity, but it has also been crucial to the organization of religious congregations, and to this day remains an integral part of the celebration of different cultures and religions.

However, perhaps the most interesting thing that I learned about was the sacredness and spirituality of water to many different religions, especially for the Hindus who have settled around the Bay and believe that Mother Ganga, the goddess of sea and running water, manifests itself through the Jamaican Bay. Mr. Veerapan even explains that “Water is a cleaner, giver of life, a sustainer of plants; we can’t exist without water.  It is vital for life, for everything.  The ocean is the mother of all…Devotees do not pray to the water as a physical entity, or an idol, but rather believe that coming into contact with the sacredness of water, as a source of life and spirituality, is important for liberating devotees from impurity”.

This idea truly sheds light on a different aspect of appreciation of a natural resource. Most people who see a lake (or any body of water for that matter) often solely pay attention to the aesthetic beauty and do not entertain the idea that the body of water can signify something much greater than simply beauty. The Jamaica Bay embodies a source of pride, tradition, and culture for many different groups of people and it has been truly eye-opening to realize that a simple bay can signify so much and play such an integral role in the lives of so many people.

After reading this weeks assignment and watching the video on Jamaica bay, it is impossible to disagree with the fact that Jamaica bay is one of the most culturally and ecologically diverse neighborhoods in New York. Located on the southern side of long island, it has many strips of land mass and small bodies of water in the middle that attribute to the vast number of animal species located in Jamaica Bay. Jamaica bay has been referred to as the combination of Central Park and Prospect Park because it is just so diverse and ecologically relevant.

It also has a rich immigrant history because Jamaica bay houses residents with many different religious backgrounds, such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity. While religions do clash, it is still a successful form of coexistence in a community and is therefore correct in being called religiously diverse. Many immigrants come to Jamaica bay because the housing is cheaper compared to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, perhaps attributed to the proximity of water to the houses, which can be an issue when dealing with surges, storms, and especially hurricanes like super storm sandy.

I did not know much about Jamaica bay before this week but it truly interests me to know that such an interwoven community exists where religiously and culturally diverse people will come as one in times of turmoil such as Hurricane Sandy, which devastated Jamaica Bay.

Prior to reading this article and discussing it in class, I was very unfamiliar with Jamaica Bay as it is not an area I frequently visit or hear about. Apart from the occasional drive through the area on the Belt Parkway, I never really got a sense of the community that resides in the region. I was also unaware of the issues in Jamaica Bay – whether they be related to the environment or the species of animals that inhabit the area. But these three chapters focused more on how human interaction with Jamaica Bay has changed over time, and how Gateway which aims to “preserve and protect for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations an area possessing outstanding natural and recreational features” (1) tries to better the community.

Chapter 3 focused on how diversity has increased as immigration has brought new cultural groups into the area. There is also a general pattern of decline in the populations of the older white generation in the Jamaica Bay. These population changes may either be brought about by the arrival of new immigrants or based on rising property values. This new influx of people brings in new ideologies and cultural identities which transform the way that the Jamaica Bay area is used and lived in. Another issue discussed in this chapter is the increase in residents living below the poverty-line. Over time many middle-class families have been leaving the area and poverty rates have been increasing (or remaining at high rates). This increase in poverty levels poses a challenge to groups such as Gateway who need to try to reach these underserved communities with necessary resources.

Chapter 5 discusses how many religious groups are making cultural use of the resources the Bay provides. Many people of Guyanese-Hindu background, people of African and Caribbean origins, and Jews make occasional or regular use of Jamaica Bay for religious purposes. This use of Jamaica Bay as a religious site underscores the diversity within the area but also shows how a place can join different ethnicities. It is fascinating how a place can unite people from such different backgrounds and how they can all share cultural bonds based on the resources Jamaica Bay provides. Hindus and Jews value Jamaica Bay as a place of worship for certain religious rituals, but some residents criticize their practices and say that it is a cause of water pollution (since items are thrown into the body of water during the rituals as symbolic representations). This highlights the fact that many residents have conflicting views as to what purpose Jamaica Bay should serve.

Chapter 6 discussed how changing populations have influenced the change in how Jamaica Bay resources are used. Over the past forty years, there has been a significant increase in diversity of the Jamaica Bay community and surrounding areas. The history of Jamaica Bay development and histories of those who live in the community have influenced the ways in which it is used today. The past sets a precedent for the present. It was surprising to see that the new immigrants are using the shores of Jamaica Bay for different religious rituals and that this pose challenges to those who manage the area.

Studying an area fosters a deeper connection with the community and its environment. This encourages greater engagement with the area and encourages the use of it as a place of learning. After reading about Jamaica Bay, I really do want to go visit to see all that the area has to offer visitors and hear more about the importance of this region to residents.

I live in Brighton Beach which is close to an area discussed in the article, Sheepshead Bay. Every year I also partake in the Tashlikh ceremony on the beaches of Brighton. What we do is we throw pieces of bread into the body of water to cast away our sins of the previous year. We then recite prayers giving thanks and asking for forgiveness. On this day, these Jewish congregations all gather on the beach with members from our Russian-Jewish community and nearby communities for a common purpose. We listen to the sayings of the Rabbi and listen the shofar, and in a way feel closer bonded together. This purpose of the beach on this day is radically different from other summer days where it used much more recreationally. It is interesting how one place can transform itself and serve different purposes for different occasions. Each place is special to individuals for unique reasons and appreciating all these different functions is part of gaining a greater appreciation towards an area.

I knew nothing about Jamaica Bay before reading this weeks assignment. I did not no where it was located, why it was important, and what the practical ramifications of the Bay were on my life. But those questions were addressed in Chapter 5, when discussing the Jewish rituals that are practiced along the waters edge. As an Orthodox Jew, reading about the special services that dictate my life in a academic piece can be a little awkward. But it also shows how things that I do in my personal life affects others around me in ways that are hard to predict. It also is a great opportunity to show and explain my way of life to those who are not familiar with the Orthodox lifestyle and customs. My favorite example is that of the willows. Joseph Mitchell thought that Orthodox Jews, in preparation for the holiday of Hoshanah Rabah, would come and collect willows from the Bay. He was correct about the necessity of the willows. They are in integral part of the holiday. But as Rabbi Tomsky explains, Orthodox Jews cant collect the willows from the Bay because that would be stealing, and an item that came from bad means cant be used in the service of G-d. I loved that this article was able to show a really meaningful part of my life, but in a way that helped understand science, and the way science interacts with communities and religions.

Daniel Bibawy

The assigned chapters in NPS discuss the changes in Jamaica Bay: how it has become more diverse in wealth, education, population, ethnicity. Over the years, Jamaica Bay has become much more well-off than it was in the past. I am happy to see this, truthfully. Although I did not even know of the existence of Jamaica Bay prior to this weekend, I developed an affection for it. It is a beautiful natural environment that is far larger than many of the other well known and loved parks in New York City, such as Central Park or Prospect Park. If taken care of properly, we can bring the world’s attention to Jamaica Bay and make the world realize how wonderful of a natural environment we have in Brooklyn. Most people in the United States know about Central Park and how beautiful it is and how large it is, but Jamaica Bay is larger than it and has the potential to be more beautiful, not to mention that it is natural rather than the man-made Central Park.

The diversity that has come into Jamaica Bay has not come without its struggles. Religious groups often clash with one another and it is not always the most amicable place to live. However, I think most would agree that it is better to have struggles among different groups living together in a community than to have a community dominated by one ethnic group that lives without any problems.

Chapter 3 Reflection:

I found Chapter 3 interesting because I really enjoy studying demographic changes in New York. Truthfully, I never studied the Jamaica Bay area, but seeing the changes in demographics and education levels has been extremely eye opening. I was happy to see that education levels have increased in past few decades, but sad to see that poverty levels have also increased. Usually, those from lower income communities have lower levels of education due to lack of opportunity, but the case seems to be the opposite in the Jamaica Bay community. The article seems to state that the change in demographic is the case for the increase in education (despite poverty levels).

Reading about Canarsie was eye-opening because it showed just how human effect on the environment can be detrimental to quality of life. Pollution and garbage are both manmade blights, which then further detriment human ability to survive on the environment.

The discussion of community involvement to improve conditions in East New York was nice to read. Although the neighborhood continues to be poor, initiative taken by dedicated and thoughtful community members helped to improve it at one point in history and could be helpful in the future. I think that place based education could be useful in these communities because it encourages people to learn from their environment that is easily accessible to them. Awareness and education leads to the social reform necessary to improve conditions.

I never knew that the bay was used for Hindu ceremonies. I find that extremely interesting and unique; so many different cultures can appreciate the land they share and use them in different ways.

Chapter 5 Reflection:

The definition of religious ecology was interesting because it was a term I had never heard of before: “The term religious ecology refers to the spatial organization of religious practice in the congregations of residential populations” (117). The image of hundreds of Hindu individuals coming together to give sacrifices to the gods on Jamaica Bay is both extremely endearing and humorous. I had no clue that so many people came together in different forms of worship around the Jamaica Bay. The Hindu ceremonies sounded especially interesting to me because of their spiritual ties to the water and their need to use the bay to fulfill their religious obligations. Although their offerings can be detrimental to the habitat of Jamaica Bay and cause upset amongst non-Hindu populations, their ability to adapt religious custom to the new world is impressive.

Changes in Jamaica Bay area rules and regulations post 9/11 have greatly affected the ability for religious groups to have traditional ceremonies in the area. For example, the bon fires for Lag B’omer are no longer a viable option in Jamaica Bay due to increased security restrictions. It goes to show how Jamaica Bay once went from a natural resource to a restricted zone owned by the government. It kind of makes me question how and why people have the ability to own and control land although it really doesn’t belong to anybody. I think the Native Americans had it right all along.

Chapter 6 Reflection:

This chapter basically provided an overview of the two chapters we read previously. It talks about the demographics in Jamaica Bay, as well as religious uses and the challenges faced with inhabitants of the neighborhood using the bay inappropriately.

Something interesting about the chapter was the discussion on the ability for individuals to gain more information about their ancestors who inhabited the area. Being able to look up a certain street and find out that your great-grandfather lived there is certainly amazing– it makes me wonder what life was like for our ancestors living on the bay and how life has changed over the many years that have passed.

General Reflection (based on questions from e-mail):

One thing I learned about Jamaica Bay that I had never learned before was the amount of religious celebrations that take place in the area. I had no idea the area was so diverse and accommodating to so many different religions. By different, I not only mean various types of religions, but how unusual they are for the New York City area. I never thought of the city as having an area for sacred water sacrifices by Hindus. I also would never have thought that Santeria was practiced in the city because it seems like such a taboo, fictional religion (at least from my sheltered point of view). Jamaica Bay plays such an integral role in the lives of so many different cultures and offers them a valuable resource to continue their tradition, no matter what land management policy dictates.

I could understand why the practice of offering sacrifices into the bay might upset some people. It’s not environmentally friendly and the salt marshes are a very sensitive, balanced eco system that would be disrupted greatly by any change in the area. For the most part, land management rules are meant to protect these valuable marshlands (except for the gassing geese incidents) and so they might not always coincide with religious laws.

These chapters might connect with indigenous knowledge because indigenous peoples often incorporated and based their ceremonies on their land. I’m sure many indigenous cultures gave meaning to the world that surrounded them (such as water, wind, etc.) and purposely chose to create traditions that required use of the earth. As time went on and humans became more restrictive in what they were allowed to do, rules came about that directly inhibited traditional indigenous religious practice.

Although my family has no real connection to nature, my Japanese culture is very in tune with their role in natural environments and even has a religion that refers to the natural world as a living entity. Shintoism is the belief that all objects (such as rocks, trees, etc.) are inhabited by a soul and therefore require respect. I don’t think there would be much conflict between those who believe in Shinto and conservationists, as they both believe in protecting and respecting the environment. I imagine that as Japan industrialized and took over some forestland for factories, there was conflict because mass production and destruction goes against respecting the natural would.