Passing Stranger Analysis

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I do not think that Ali was fully accepted by her Christian colleagues because they regarded her as an outsider. In addition, they questioned many aspects of her life including her name, her marital status, and her devotion to Judaism. It also says on page 11 that the clergy members had been anxious about having her present and were slightly condescending towards her. In addition, the pastor refers to himself as a “Christian Zionist” which to me does not seem very accepting, but acting as if it was considered a nice or charitable thing to do to allow Ali into the clergy. I do not think Ali did the right thing in rejecting the caller’s request to officiate at his father’s funeral because I believe that it is the duty of the rabbi to serve all Jews, especially in times of need such as when their is a death in the family. I think Ali should have been more understanding to the grieving son’s situation as it was not his fault that his father did not attend the Center. I think Ali should have been a role-model for other Jews, like the son and treat him with respect. I think that if she did not argue about officiating the funeral, that she may have potentially led the son to participate. I did not find this move very-rabbi like or leader-like. I feel that Ali was being selfish,…show more content…
Being a stranger Ali is thought of differently. Those around her question her choices, religion, and arise suspicions based on her life-choices. They are afraid to ask her questions about her religion and therefore, discuss it in private. The title “Passing Stranger” relates to Ali because she enters as an outsider into a position where everyone else is the same and then leaves after working for a short
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