Israel's Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Yuval Rotem paid an unusual visit this week to the Maori community, which has recently drawn closer to Judaism and Kabbalah. The ambassador and the embassy workers were welcomed by the community members in a Maori ceremony, which included dances, greetings in the local language, songs and the traditional "hongi" (greeting guests by pressing noses with them).While some will take this as evidence of the Elder's at work - I cannot help but wish there was a little more Rashi & Chumash with a lot less LA Centre Kabbalah nonsense.
The meeting was initiated by the deputy president of Auckland's reform synagogue, a Maori man who converted to Judaism several years ago. His English name is Steve and his Hebrew name is Shimshon. "I always felt close to Judaism. I believe our forefathers were originally Jewish," Shimshon said.
After the ceremony, the ambassador toured the Maori community institutions, which include a spiritual center, a school, houses and a library. Rotem was surprised to discover that the Maori community is drawing close to Judaism. The community has a group of some 90 people studying Kabbalah, and every Sunday morning they meet in one of the rooms for a videoconference with the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles, and study the Bible portion of the week together with the American students.
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"We believe there is a connection between the Maoris and the Jews. We admire Israel and the Jews," explained the president of the Maori community in Auckland, adding that many of the Maoris have taken an interest in Judaism and Kabbalah and want to get closer to Israel.
The Maoris said they wish to launch a communication channel for cooperation between the Maori community and the Israeli Embassy in Australia. Ambassador Rotem said he was very moved by the meeting and was particularly impressed by the Maoris' attitude towards Israel and Judaism.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
From one indigeous people to another
I read this article at Ynet News and only because of my passing acquaintance with Dr. Dawg. I am not sure he would get a kick out of it and it does strikes me as a mite strange.
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2 comments:
Thanks for this, Kateland.
I have an odd story right back atcha. Just before I got the kids to their marae, Matawaia, this past winter, we met with a kaumatua (elder) in Kawakawa who had known their grandmother, Puti Hooro Wira. He gave us a bit of the whakapapa (geneology) of the family, and of their hapu (sub-tribe), Tekau-i-mua. About three or four generations back (I haven't nailed this one down exactly), a Jewish man was adopted into the hapu. He then ran off with a pakeha (white) woman. Hence there is a joke that there are in fact two Tekau-i-mua lines.
We then proceeded to the nearby marae of the Chair of the Ngati Hine Council, who had volunteered to be our guide for the afternoon. (The kids' tribe is Ngati Hine.) We were formally invited onto the marae, and entered the big council house.
These can be exquisitely carved, inside and out, and indeed this one was. Ancestors are carved into a number of poles lining the room. Lo and behold, one of them had a Star of David carved onto it. That was, indeed, the Jewish ancestor the elder had mentioned. Here you go.
Well, well. It reminds me of a posting I did on the Jewish pirates of Jamaica - and yes, they kept relatively kosher.
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