Even in the most Jewish part of Crown Heights, southern crown heights, the area is still predominantly African American with a black population of 60%. However as in the words of Goldschmidt and Number 23:9, these two peoples are “ a people’s that dwell apart.” Even though these people live in close proximity they have very little to do with each other. Whereas the segregation of these two groups is often taken as insult by the Jews it is also taken as an insult that there is not respect for their ways of life in trying to integrate the groups. Jews and blacks are very different. Moreover, the lives of Lubavitch Jews are guided by very strict codes and because of these codes they are a very insular people. They keep to themselves because of the different laws set out in the torah, the set of books that guide their lives.
One of the specific laws that sets orthodox Jews apart from gentiles is the law of kashruth. This guides the Jewish people’s dietary habits. Moreover, they use kosher to describe people as well. They consider gentiles, or as they say goys to be non kosher as well. Therefore they don’t want to associate them because it could lead to bad relationships. Additionally, the dietary rules prevent these people from going to meals at their African American neighbors homes. Food as stated by Goldschmidt is important to both peoples and they help identify them. However, they also help separate them. Whereas the African Americans can eat the food of the Jewish people this cannot be reciprocated which makes relations difficult. It is not disrespect by the Jews but it is respect for their laws.
There have been attempts to bridge this gap by different organizations and different programs. But they have not been well received by all. There was a sukkot mixer with African American children and a Lubavitch women commented on the even saying something like were feeding them so they won’t kill us. However, the events are received differently by different people. Throughout this chapter, Goldschmidt again cemented the ideas of differences between race and religion. This time with the focus on food which in truth is something that brings people together, but as also seen can tear people apart.
