Yes, "Jewess" is totally something I think of as being used by non Jews 50 or more years ago and by a random Indian man that I met in New York City like 6 or more years ago.
It appears to be originating from the point of view of a Christian and Christian dominated society. What does it mean to feminize the word "Jew"? Why do so? Why feminize a word at all?
In looking Jewess up on-line, I found an interesting page that spoke about the origins of the word "Jew". It states that it is often used in the pejorative. Also, to me, there is something sly in the sound "-ess" and something accusatory in the whole word. Maybe I'm projecting, but maybe not.
Why not say Christianess? It's weird, that's why. I don't know why, but I'd sort of be offended if I were a Christian and someone called me a Christianess- I might smack them. It's like merging two concepts- your femaleness and your religion. In some sense, it is not giving enough respect to these parts alone. I am a woman and I am Jewish. If I were not Jewish, I would still be a woman- something which unites me with all other women. If I were not a woman, I would still be Jewish.
A person's faith is on a higher plane than description of gender. I think feminity and masculinity can be a part of essence, but someone declaring them self something else by declaring you other-a Jew (ie. not a Christian) is being simple and should not merge gender with this description.
However, I am just recalling watching the story of Ruth and of her being referred to as the Moabitess.
I dig it as a beacon for Jewish women in recognizing themselves, but others calling us Jewess seems obnoxious and/or creepy or pervy even.
Yes, "Jewess" is totally something I think of as being used by non Jews 50 or more years ago and by a random Indian man that I met in New York City like 6 or more years ago.
It appears to be originating from the point of view of a Christian and Christian dominated society. What does it mean to feminize the word "Jew"? Why do so? Why feminize a word at all?
In looking Jewess up on-line, I found an interesting page that spoke about the origins of the word "Jew". It states that it is often used in the pejorative. Also, to me, there is something sly in the sound "-ess" and something accusatory in the whole word. Maybe I'm projecting, but maybe not.
Why not say Christianess? It's weird, that's why. I don't know why, but I'd sort of be offended if I were a Christian and someone called me a Christianess- I might smack them. It's like merging two concepts- your femaleness and your religion. In some sense, it is not giving enough respect to these parts alone. I am a woman and I am Jewish. If I were not Jewish, I would still be a woman- something which unites me with all other women. If I were not a woman, I would still be Jewish.
A person's faith is on a higher plane than description of gender. I think feminity and masculinity can be a part of essence, but someone declaring them self something else by declaring you other-a Jew (ie. not a Christian) is being simple and should not merge gender with this description.
However, I am just recalling watching the story of Ruth and of her being referred to as the Moabitess.
I dig it as a beacon for Jewish women in recognizing themselves, but others calling us Jewess seems obnoxious and/or creepy or pervy even.
the link I referred to above:
http://www.zionism-israel.com/...