Jewish Identity and the Camino

[moniquedsmith]

The more I think about my upcoming camino (starting May 20), the more I wonder about how being a Jew on this pilgrimage is going to affect me. I am not particularly observant, but my identity matters to me. It seems like there is relatively little on this subject -- basically, how to have a spiritually meaningful and Jewish camino. I wonder if there are others with this inquiry?


Monique
http://moniquedanaesmith.tumblr.com/

 

[wayfarer]

el-camino-frances/topic2089.html

Have a look at this thread, it may touch on your question.

 

[zammy]

I have walked the Camino twice, I am Jewish and an Israeli.
Walking the Camino has been an educational , sentimental trip, it became a significant dialogue with Christian friends on the Camino. I regarded and respected it as sharing the trail, the pilgrimage wIth Christians . After all there are so many parralel beliefs, it wasn't a religious trip for me (like many others opilgrims) but I felt Jewish (and I am a total secular person) more then other places.
We all know that Jacques, Jacob, James was Jewsih and has a Jewish name : Yaacov ben Zavdi.

 

[earnestjim]

Another jew, me, that has walked several caminos has also reflected on these questions...look at one of my blog entries

http://earnestheimann.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/i-a-wondering-wandering-jew/

ps. I'm off to do a section of the via Francigena in two weeks time

pps. have also done sections of the שביל ישראל

 

[gitta]

Hi Earnest - good article... here are two other links on the same subject...

 

[Old Koot]

I'm a devout Pastafarianist and I'll soon be heading out on the Camino ...............

 

[Annie Little]

I come from multi-national, multi-dominational family background.... you name it .. we got it.... what it has taught me is ........we think we are different BUT we are the same .......same fears, hopes and dreams..........

we should not segregate ourselves because of "labels"

 

[Shairn]

The more I think about my upcoming camino (starting May 20), the more I wonder about how being a Jew on this pilgrimage is going to affect me. I am not particularly observant, but my identity matters to me. It seems like there is relatively little on this subject -- basically, how to have a spiritually meaningful and Jewish camino. I wonder if there are others with this inquiry?


Monique
http://moniquedanaesmith.tumblr.com/

The Camino will connect you strongly with history. The Jews, Christians and Moors all figure prominently in the history of these regions. Even coming in to Santiago was strongly evocative of the inquisition and the power of the church! Terrible awesome and beautiful.

 

[scruffy1]

For all of us on or off the Camino "Happy New Year"!
לכולם על הכמינו או בבית שנה טובה

 

[Jochen-Schmidtke]

For all of us on or off the Camino "Happy New Year"!
לכולם על הכמינו או בבית שנה טובה

Hello Scruffy.
Look here to read about Jews in the Casa Paderborn.
Buen Camino
Jochen

 

[scruffy1]

Thank you Jochen, I hope to meet you in Pamplona 2015! Next year walking from Vezelay and if these old legs will hold I just might make it 2014!

 

[alaska99801]

I download the forum app and I read all wonderful stories from people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, etc., until I get to your question.
What is it with Jews? So self centered. Just do the walk and enjoy it like every other normal human being without always having to attract attention to yourself.

Just a small reminder that life revolves around others and not just around you. Think it over and walk in peace.

 

[drukman jacob]

For all of us on or off the Camino "Happy New Year"!
לכולם על הכמינו או בבית שנה טובה

שנה טובה ו מתוקה

 

[MendiWalker]

תודה רבה לך , אני מאחל לך את אותו הדבר.
Buen Camino!

 

[wayfarer]

שנה טובה

 

[thetravellingpen]

I fail to see what difference it makes. Not everyone walks the camino for religious reasons, and quite frankly, I feel religion is a personal thing. I will get irritated with anyone who tries to push their religion down my throat when I walk next year. Spirituality and religion are not the same thing. Why make an issue of what you believe? I'm not going to ask anyone on the walk what religion they are, in the same way that I won't ask them how much they earn or what car they drive. It's personal!