Skullcap Etiquette?

I am hoping to get some input from people that understand the cultural issues better than I.

When I first saw the photo of Obama laying the wreath at the Holocaust memorial and saw him wearing a skullcap (Yarmulke, etc.).  I was not sure of how that would be interpreted by practising Jew's and muslims. And what it really meant to people that understand the true meaning of this symbolic garb. Nevermind what it might be portrayed as by Fox etc. in the U.S. So I ask for some enlightenment from people more knowledgeable than I on this particular subject.

another one of him at the wailing wall

I happened to try and search it on wikipedia which lead to the following entry

A skullcap (or skull cap) can be:
In anatomy, the top part of the skull (Calvaria (skull))
Headgear
A Kippah or Yarmulke, a small cloth skullcap worn by observant Jewish men all the time, or by less observant Jewish men and some Jewish women during religious services.
Kufi, a skullcap worn by men of African descent, also called a kofia.
Taqiyah (cap), a skullcap worn by Muslim men.
Tuque, a knit hat
zucchetto, worn by Catholic clergy (including the Pope)
Sports headgear produced by Under Armour (part of their HeatGear(TM) line), that resembles a swimming cap.
Plants of the genus Scutellaria, such as S. lateriflora, that is used in herbal medicine
The autumn skullcap, a poisonous mushroom
Skullcap, the name of fictional ruins in the Dragonlance settings.

So being Canadian, and one who understands the symbolic use of the Tuque as a piece of clothing meant to represent your political (or personal) temperature viewpoint. I think He's kinda cool. Perhaps even Bob and Doug cool.

But seriously, I am interested to hear what it means to different people that Obama was wearing the mini skull cap and what it means to them.

•  Freedom Touque?

  Seriously though what does this mean to middle eastern folks? It was pretty ballsy of him to put on the skull cap knowing what Fox et. al. in the US would say about it. I'd like to hear peoples opinions on this. Whether it is an image + or an image - overall.

  by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:02:55 AM PDT

  •  McCain put one on when

    he visited the Western Wall.

    W put one on when he visited the Western Wall.

    It's not ballsy at all to put on a kippah when going to a Jewish holy site or even a Jewish synagogue.  It'd be ballsy to NOT do so.  And pretty disrespectful.

    by Anarchofascist on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:25:10 AM PDT

    •  I am surprised at the response to my diary

      of course several good people pointed out the truth: He was showing respect. But I got attacked for being a Canadian, and not one person recced my tip jar. I think it was ballsy for Obama to wear the garb given the attacks he has already received for other wearing traditional garb. And I have no doubt the anti-semites will use these images to attack him. I cannot ever remember seeing GWB wear a yarmulke. Perhaps it never occurred to me as something with meaning if he did.

      by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:35:30 AM PDT

      •  What?

        I'm not seeing a tip jar...

        by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:38:20 AM PDT

        •  First comment is mine

          the diarist does not need to label it as a tip jar.

          by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:42:05 AM PDT

          •  Okay,

            Thanks for telling me. I'm relatively new to the Kos and still haven't learned everything. Lol.

            by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:43:16 AM PDT

            •  It's not always the first comment

              but it should be if the diarists know how to post tip jars. Btw, thanks, you are the first person after 42 comments to haved tipped my jar

              by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:53:31 AM PDT

              •  Not a problem

                You raised an interesting question that most people probably don't know the answer to or even think about. ;)

                by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:59:25 AM PDT

      •  Likely he did wear a kippah

        Although you're right, I can't remember seeing a photo with this.

        I'm wondering if his handlers thought the fundies would freak out if they saw their former Lord and Savior George W. Bush in a Jew hat, and did what they could to make sure no photos were taken.

        by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:57:30 AM PDT

        •  I think I would have spotted it if it happened

          but I cannot be sure. IMO Bush is not the least bit religious, but he pretends to be. Me, I'm an athiest. But I do not pretend to be religious! IMO pretending to be religious is a pretty big lie.

          by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:05:31 AM PDT

          •  Still, Dept. of State has protocol people

            So Bush would be wearing a kippah.

            I suspect that he's not totally sincere as well (have heard people who've heard people who've spoken with him on this topic, for what it's worth), but since I'm unaware of any foreign VIP who would not wear a kippah at the Wall or at Yad Va'shem (the Holocaust Memorial), I'm pretty sure that Bush would be wearing one as well.

            by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:08:37 AM PDT

            •  Many photos of Bush with skullcap

              here. The ones that aren't white are harder to see.

              by word is bond on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 11:17:16 AM PDT

          •  Here is a pic of him wearing one.

            
            It's from the below fox news story.

            http://www.foxnews.com/...

            by TheSwampDweller on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:41:44 AM PDT

            •  Dubya: typical goy! Can't even position

              yarmulke on his dumb head correctly!

              OMFG! It's NOT a Yalie beanie, Georgie!

              Aloha   ..  ..  ..

              by dolphin777 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:54:32 AM PDT

              •  Didn't Obama get it right, however? n/t

                by word is bond on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 11:18:15 AM PDT

        •  Quite the opposite

          His fundie nut case supporters are all about Zionism.  Not necessarily Judaism, but certainly Zionism.  They're foaming at the mouth for Israel to trigger Armageddon so they can get Raptured.  They'd have no problem with W wearing a yarmulke.

          by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:13:51 AM PDT

          •  Blimey! Are those Nutjobs Still Around?

            I thought they had been raptured down by now. When will we get to where we can pretend they don't exist?

            Oh wait... after Obama's elected, of course.

            by JG in MD on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:26:32 AM PDT

    •  .

      http://www.texemarrs.com/...

      by GrouchoKossak on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:20:10 AM PDT

      •  Nice catch! McCain with a Yarmulke

        can you find one of Bush? I'd guess no, but I'd love to be wrong.

        by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:23:33 AM PDT

        •  No problem

          It's a good way to head off anything they try to throw at Obama ;)

          by GrouchoKossak on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:50:34 AM PDT

        •  picture of GWB at the Western Wall

          wearing a black yarmulke/kippah

          by TrueBlueMajority on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:05:24 AM PDT

      •  A knitted kippah

        There's a whole sociology of kippot.

        Lieberman has McCain wearing a knitted kippah, which is kinda "avant garde".  It's the "badge" of the modern Orthodox.

        Black cloth is standard if you're very Orthodox.

        Black leather is what followers of the late (and unlamented) Meir Kahana wear.

        Mickey Mouse cloth kippot is what my nephew used to wear when he was about 4 or 5.

        by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:32:09 AM PDT

        •  with ears?

          by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:15:05 AM PDT

          •  Maybe no ears

            But if you don't like Mickey, you can wear Elmo instead:

            

            by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:26:27 AM PDT

            •  I like that one

              I HATE the mouse.  I have to book Disney for AA passengers and they're hell to work with.  Elmo is cool.

              by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:36:59 AM PDT

        •  I've known guys who had

          -a Grateful Dead kippah

          -a NY Mets kippah

          There are Obama kippahs available, but I'm too lazy to go find a picture of one just now.

          by tethys on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:08:42 PM PDT

  •  Bush wore one as well.

    by arielle on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:42:38 AM PDT

  •  If he didn't put it on...

    ...it would have been very disrespectful. Yad Vashem and the Western Wall are both sacred places to us Jews, and it's traditional for us to cover our heads in such places. That Obama did so is a sign of great respect, one that anyone who knows anything about Judaism would appreciate.

    Which means that Faux Propaganda will make a big deal about it meaning that Obama must not be a Christian.

    by wiscmass on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 07:45:59 AM PDT

•  He wore it as a sign of respect

  because he was in a Holy place of those of the Jewish Faith. To me it showed a sensitivity to his hosts.

  by OneCrankyDom on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:04:20 AM PDT

  •  It also shows a sign of religious tolerance.

    Which is something I personally believe in.

    by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:22:38 AM PDT

  •  Customs for visitors to holy places

    It's customary in that part of the world for a woman to wear a scarf if she enters a church, or for anyone who enters a mosque to remove their shoes, and it's customary for a man who enters a synagogue (which is effectively how the Wall is treated) to wear a hat of some kind.

    It's not an issue of faith in any of these cases.

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:41:59 AM PDT

    •  I remember many cathedrals

      in Europe where it was HIGHLY recommended the women wear a long skirt rather than slacks or they might not let you in and a scarf was certainly mandatory.

      by arielle on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:48:13 AM PDT

•  Oh, Canada .....

  With all due respect,

  SHUT UP !

  My Gawd !

  by WeBetterWinThisTime on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:05:20 AM PDT

  •  Blame Canada

    seriously, eat my Touque!

    by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:11:08 AM PDT

  •  completely uncalled for, WBWTT. n/t

    by exmearden on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 03:27:07 AM PDT

•  I am not well versed in the religeous practices

  But there are places where one should cover their head out of respect to the religeon.  That much I do know.  Perhaps someone of the faith could further enlighten us.  I can only say that I was going to a service with a group and they provided skull caps for the gentlemen and scarves for the unprepared women.  I didn't ask about it, I just assumed it was important.

  From http://library.thinkquest.org/...

  When entering a synagogue, most Jewish men and women cover their heads, as this is seen as a sign of respect. Even visitors to the synagogue who do not have a skull cap of their own are given one to wear for the service. The skull cap is known as the kippah (plural - kippot) in Hebrew and the yarmulke (plural – yarmulkes) in Yiddish.

  Skull caps are, now-a-days, worn only during a synagogue service, during a religious activity, such as reading holy books or a religious calendar event, or during the blessings which are said before and after a meal. However, Orthodox Jews keep their heads covered all the time, as in the Talmud is stated that no man should walk four paces without something covering his head.

  by crazyshirley2100 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:08:01 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for the info

    So it is sign of respect for the faith of the Jewish people when at their holy sites.

    by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:10:27 AM PDT

    •  It's no big deal - like taking hats off in church

      You go into a church, you take your hat off. You go into a Jewish place of worship, you put one on. There's no deeper significance than that. Everyone does it.

      by word is bond on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 11:46:13 AM PDT

  •  You have it right

    That is indeed the custom.

    In a similar way, you remove your shoes before entering a mosque, whether you are a Moslem or not.

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:43:02 AM PDT

  •  Yes...

    My wife and/or I have had to modify our clothing for Buddhist, Russian Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim sites. Generally when visiting any religious site you are expected to respect the customs of that religion.

    by mole333 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:03:25 AM PDT

  •  I use to wear a "chapel cap" as a young girl

    when I went to Mass. Chapel caps were just circles of white or black lace we placed on our heads (often securing with a bobby pin)Catholic women had to wear something on their head in church. Men took their hats off.
    I've gone to Mass occasionally as an adult and women no longer cover their heads but google tells me there are still many places selling chapel caps.

    by joynow on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:27:32 AM PDT

•  He was showing proper respect

  I'm not Jewish, but I attended a service at a synagogue once.  Men were given yarmulkes.  It's a sign of respect in a Jewish holy place or religious service.  It's like non-Catholic women used to wear a head scarf when attending a Catholic religious service, even though they didn't wear one in their own church.  Or like if I attended a service at a mosque, I'd remove my shoes.  Or like if you normally sit during hymns at your church, you stand up if everybody else does at a church you're attending as a guest.

  by leevank on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:15:23 AM PDT

  •  Spot on.

    It doesn't matter what FAUX news might say, Obama did the right thing by wearing it. It's a sign of respect!

    by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:19:24 AM PDT

    •  right on, that shows CLASS

      by bglv on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:26:35 AM PDT

      •  Which FOX wouldn't recognize if

        they were hit over the head with it.

        by Calouste on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:30:54 AM PDT

•  A Chicago Cub Cap...

  would have been way cool.

  by HL Mungo on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:18:30 AM PDT

  •  A cutesy yarmulke would

    have been problematic.  Not necessarily in the religiously offensive sense, but definitely disrespectful.  Hey, why not just wear a Soriano jersey when visiting sacred sites and heads of state, too?

    by Anarchofascist on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:29:39 AM PDT

    •  I took the parent comment

      as snark, funny too

      by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:36:37 AM PDT

      •  Oh, I did, too.

        I just wanted to clarify that cute yarmulkes with logos CAN be acceptable at times.

        by Anarchofascist on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:45:16 AM PDT

    •  I'm A Lapsed Catholic

      Now and athiest. Quite the lapse I know. A few years ago I wnet to a catholic wedding and saw some non-catholics go up and get communion. I was pissed initially. There were manyn hours of afternoon cartoons I missed attending the indoctrination for the first communion. These bastards were going up there without paying the price.

      I somehow have managed to get over it.

      by HL Mungo on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:39:29 AM PDT

      •  That strikes me as very very odd.

        Those folks taking communion, I mean. Donning a headscarf or whatever as a sign of respect is one thing, actively participating in a rite of the church is something else.

        by melvin on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:43:34 AM PDT

        •  Never felt comfortable with "lapsed."

          I'm just in recovery. One day at a time.

          by melvin on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:44:43 AM PDT

          •  Always liked the Mormon equivalent

            a "jack Mormon"

            by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:48:22 AM PDT

        •  Yes, I was a best man at a catholic wedding

          and when it came time for communion, we entered the line but crossed our arms over the chest as a symbol telling the priest not to give us communion when we got to him since some of us were not practicing Catholics

          by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:46:32 AM PDT

          •  God if I have to go to another Catholic wedding,

            the full tilt kind, I'd rather take my own life, and that's kind of a no-no too.

            by melvin on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:48:13 AM PDT

            •  Try a Jewish wedding instead

              But work out first.  The chair thing, you know.

              by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:53:02 AM PDT

              •  Better food.

                by ben masel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 03:11:47 AM PDT

                •  Not if they're German Cathloics.

                  Put on quite the spread.

                  by melvin on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:04:18 AM PDT

            •  Or a Baptist funeral

              by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:19:01 AM PDT

              •  No dancing, I take it

                by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:27:57 AM PDT

                •  That's why Baptists

                  don't have sex standing up.  If they're caught, someone might think they're dancing.

                  by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:38:00 AM PDT

                  •  And a similar reason why Canadians

                    prefer to do it doggie style

                    by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:44:49 AM PDT

      •  Taking communion is on a level with circumcision

        since communion is a fundamental sacrament of the Catholic Church.

        Although it's easier on non-believers than the equivalent for a Jew or a Moslem man, which would of course be circumcision.

        by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:47:16 AM PDT

        •  What about Episcopalians?

          They take communion every Sunday. At least they at the church I went to. Now, I'm agnostic, but I'm just curious.

          by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:49:12 AM PDT

          •  I think so

            Episcopalians is just our local term for what they call in the UK the "Church of England".

            The customs and theology, from what I understand, are pretty similar to Catholicism.  Except for the way they handle divorce, for obvious historical reasons ;-)

            by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:52:05 AM PDT

            •  Yeah.

              So if one goes into a Catholic church is it wrong for him/her to take communion?

              by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:53:17 AM PDT

              •  It's a little weird

                although if you're an Episcopalian, you could argue that it was appropriate from an ecumenical point of view -- since the sacrament is shared by the two traditions.

                I'm not sure what the current stand of the Church is on this, although as you can see from the comments, some Catholics think it's a bit weird.

                by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:59:46 AM PDT

                •  Thanks

                  I was just curious. I probably should just ask my dad since he was raised Catholic. And then he got a divorce several years ago from his first wife and...well, you know how that goes.

                  by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:02:43 AM PDT

                  •  Off with her head???

                    Maybe not anymore.  But that does have a certain root in Church of England tradition :-)

                    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:21:55 AM PDT

                    •  :)

                      Very true. He basically got chucked out of the Catholic church. A few years ago he actually got a letter saying that he may return, but he showed no interest. Lol.

                      by Luthien Tinuviel on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 07:35:08 AM PDT

              •  In theory, yes.

                As the Catholic Church does not honor the sacraments of the Episcopalian Church.  They are not (get ready for it) "in full communion."*

                Between Protestant denominations, though, it can get pretty complicated as to who is in communion with whom, and therefore, who can partake of the sacraments of which other churches.

                *(This has a lot broader meaning than just "can take each other's communion wafers.)

                by Anarchofascist on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:00:00 AM PDT

                •  Episcopal Church, Peopled by Episcopalians

                  as in Open the door and see all the people.

                  ::wiggles fingers::

                  by JG in MD on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:32:35 AM PDT

              •  Roman Catholics believe

                that only Roman Catholics should take communion in their churches.

                Anglicans/Episcopalians will give communion to any baptized person of any Christian denomination.

                Some churches (like the one I attend) practice "open table" meaning that anyone who wants communion can have it.

                sudden big thunderstorm--I have to get off line now!

                by TrueBlueMajority on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:12:12 AM PDT

                •  Not quite right

                  In cases of "grave necessity," non-Catholics may also receive communion in Catholic churches.  Several other conditions apply.  Here's the fine print:  Canon Law, #844

                  by Theolog on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 06:45:16 AM PDT

                  •  yes but just being at a wedding or funeral

                    or other worship service and wanting to take communion does not constitute "grave necessity"

                    by TrueBlueMajority on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 07:45:13 AM PDT

                    •  Quite right (n/t)

                      by Theolog on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 08:21:19 AM PDT

            •  They're almost as strict about divorce

              too.  You have to get a dispensation to marry again and be able to take communion or some such crap.  Except no one pays attention to that rule, any more than the one about not eating meat on fast days, etc.

              by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:21:10 AM PDT

              •  yes remarriage after divorce is NOT automatic

                in the Episcopal church.

                but it has nothing to do with communion--divorce does not reverse your baptismal status!  divorced people can take communion with no problem.

                by TrueBlueMajority on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:42:03 AM PDT

              •  These were a lot of the reasons

                I left the church as a preteen.
                I had just written about chapel caps I wore then and was feeling a little nostalgic.
                Then recalling how disgusted things like this made me feel. One grandma going to church every week and getting teary eyed at communion because after her divorce/remarriage she was told she couldn't take it anymore. Yes, she should have stayed with the abusive alcoholic, I'm sure God would like it that way.
                Or being told if I went to a friends Christan but not Catholic church it didn't count and I'd be sinning not to go to a Catholic one and I was also told not to partake in "their rituals?"
                Ah the debates I used to have with nuns and priests about the rules and teachings and how it made no sense that God would do/say/require that. Only Christians in heaven was one of the worst to me...so I left the school and the church.
                But like I said I missed the chapel caps a little but boy did these posts bring remind me of how happy I was to walk away.

                by joynow on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:46:53 AM PDT

      •  My mother was a Protestant

        and the sharing of wine and bread did not require the same religious practices in her church as taking Holy Communion during Mass (in her church the bread is symbolic not actual transubstantiated flesh). So at a Catholic service, in a respectful effort to do as the Romans (heh) do, the earnest and well-meaning she got in line and received the Blessed Holy Sacrament.  Her otherwise unruly children, raised as Catholics, did not have the heart to tell her then of her unintentional doctrinal breech. And as far as I am aware, in the 40 or 50 years that have passed, none of us ever has told her, but we figure she's in her 90s and in a walker now, and we can head her off if she ever tries to violate any other religious practice again.

        by Uncle Moji on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:01:24 AM PDT

      •  From a lapsed Episcopalian here

        Maybe they got some kind of dispensation because it was a wedding,not just regular church.  I'd have been shocked, too.

        by karesse on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:18:14 AM PDT

    •  Don't wear a Mickey Mouse Kippah

      unless you're under 6 years of age, for example.

      by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:44:02 AM PDT

  •  Cubs Cap?

    Perfectly kosher too.  Especially in Chicago.

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:49:49 AM PDT

    •  Only on

      the north side of Chicago, mind you. Where I live (around 31st and Morgan), a Cubs cap is perfectly treyf.

      All that said, if the Cubs win the Series this year, it will be proof that those who have in the past snatched defeat from the jaws of victory can reform, and that will bode well in the first week of November. But I'm not getting my hopes too up.

      by ebohlman on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:30:51 AM PDT

•  As a full-time kipah wearer, I think it was fine

  I'm Modern Orthodox (okay, folks, let's acknowledge the "oxymoron" comments and move on!), and I saw nothing wrong with Senator Obama's showing respect for a religious site by wearing a kipah (yarmulke, scullcap, etc.).  Actually, I appreciate the gesture, even though I think it is probably religiously unnecessary for a non-Jew.  It's certainly not pandering to do so at a religious site; compare that, though, to the many politicians particularly who put them on just to seem like one of the tribe; Rudi Giuliani was famous for doing so, but it's not a partisan thing.  {ProfJonathan}

  by ProfJonathan on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:56:41 AM PDT

  •  Normally, you won't get into the left side

    of the Kotel's area without  כיסוי ראש anyway, no matter who you are.  While I'm sure they don't handle VIPs the way they handle tourists, I'm sure that Obama has protocol people who make sure he doesn't offend the natives.

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:05:34 AM PDT

    •  True, and...

      I'm sure that the Senator's protocol people would make sure he had a proper headcovering, rather than the stapled paper ones at the entry to the men's side of the Kotel.  (I can just imagine McCain wearing one of those, though!)  {ProfJonathan}

      by ProfJonathan on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:27:51 AM PDT

      •  Actually, Lieberman took care of it

        Made McCain look like he was running for Knesset with the Mafdal.

        by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:29:21 AM PDT

•  Beautiful pictures of Obama.

  by Mariken on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:02:05 AM PDT

•  Well, At The Temple I Occasionally Attend

  Services at (although I am an atheist, I am also a Jew, and I am a part of the community just as it is a part of me), it is considered proper etiquette for men to wear them during services (regardless of the mans religious belief).

  It's always fun watching the Christians who show up for bar/bat mitzvahs attempting to awkwardly keep them on.

  by ChapiNation386 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:07:41 AM PDT

  •  Although somehow, I think Barack

    would be like Will Smith in Men In Black

    "I make this look good"

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:17:59 AM PDT

    •  If He Was Like That

      He would be made fun of constantly for behaving like a 15 year old boy who has just noticed that his balls have started to drop.

      What can I say?  We're all very liberal (expect for the two/three Conservative families who attend because they either hate themselves or because they don't want to find another community better suited for their views).

      by ChapiNation386 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 08:20:09 AM PDT

•  Clerics...

  in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches wear a similar skullcap, which is called a zucchetto.

  by Alohilani on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:09:07 AM PDT

•  Cool Name

  I spent my entire childhood in Yeshiva, which is Jewish School for our GentileKos friends, and I can tell you, with no authority whatsoever, that what he did was a friendly and warm gesture. I'm sure there is some socially broken person for whom this will be offensive; that's their business.

  Jews love Obama; we know there is no such thing as a secret Muslim.

  by YuryTheEnglishTutor on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:20:47 AM PDT

  •  "socially broken"

    I like that one.  Can I use it? :-)

    by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:25:29 AM PDT

    •  Take it. My gift.

      It describes many people around us: lots of potential, having made a wrong turn.

      by YuryTheEnglishTutor on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:30:11 AM PDT

      •  Broken Social Scene

        Heh, since we're talking about Canada as well.  Long-running shape-shifting wonder of a Toronto band/musical project.

        by howth of murph on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 06:54:25 AM PDT

        •  Any link?

          by YuryTheEnglishTutor on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 10:41:48 PM PDT

  •  lol most people in the US assume

    I am Russian, those of the e-mail spam assume I am a Korean female. I love it all!

    by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:27:00 AM PDT

    •  Doesn't our name also mean Japanese porn?

      I wonder how many former Soviets are on DailyKos.

      by YuryTheEnglishTutor on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:32:03 AM PDT

      •  I'm glad you caught the Japan ref

        I am a Korean lesbian horndog who loves Americans........The Japan Korea relationship will be bad for a long time after WWII

        by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 01:43:13 AM PDT

        •  And likes... Monty Python?

          Australia, Australia, Australia.
          We love you.

          by mbayrob on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:14:26 AM PDT

          •  Bruce? is that you?

            by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:26:48 AM PDT

  •  Okay, this is going to sound like a stupid ?...

    But how does one get a skullcap to remain in place?

    by LincolnLight on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:14:54 AM PDT

    •  Silly, it fits right onto the bald spot.

      See, I was paying attention during my childhood.

      by smartcookienyc on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:12:17 AM PDT

    •  Many use a bobby pin

      or snap clip - especially for the smaller styled ones.

      The bigger ones sit there on their own.

      I had little snap clips for my son when he was younger that had Stars of David on them!

      Kippah Clips

      by arielle on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:54:54 AM PDT

      •  Ah, that makes sense. Thanks! /eom

        by LincolnLight on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 06:51:44 AM PDT

        •  Skullcap

          Applied directly to the bald spot!

          Skullcap.

          Applied directly to the bald spot!

          by howth of murph on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 06:56:39 AM PDT

          •  BWA!

            I was so in need of an ear worm!  Thanks!

            /snark

            by arielle on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 07:07:18 AM PDT

          •  You've been watching too much CNN.... /eom

            by LincolnLight on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 07:22:43 AM PDT

          •  lol /nt

            by yuriwho on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 10:28:51 AM PDT

•  Any official will wear one here (NL) but

  let's take care not to set this up as another symbol hype thing over a piece of cloth. In various places in Europe, plus Turkey and I bet elsewhere, we're seeing truly outrageous battles over islamic headscarfs. Symbols have their place exactly as symbols, for respect or as any kind of reference, put to use by humans in particular contexts and thereby carrying living meaning, but when they turn to hardware that separates and opposes and cements identities, it gets very unhealthy.

  Here in the Netherlands at jewish celebrations and commemorations, when there's gentile officials involved, the males will wear a kippah, and when there's mourning involved (which tends to happen..) they are white.

  Really, the whole thing about wearing a skullcap is that one (default = male) is reminded of having something over and above oneself. Hence it is not the numberplate of anyone (male) orthodox, but to do with an inner experience, and hence it's perfectly appropriate for anyone to share in that living setting.  

  by Fransje on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:40:41 AM PDT

•  It's pretty typical...

  ...when politicians attend synagogues or other places of Jewish significance for them to wear a kippah.

  by metal prophet on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:01:32 AM PDT

•  Well

  It is generally considered respectful for any man entering a Jewish religious site to wear a Kippah. I don't think it is considered necessary for a non-Jew to do so, but it is definitely considered respectful if they do. The wearing of a Kippah is a sign of respect for God more than a sign of affiliation with Judaism, though it can be that as well.

  by mole333 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 04:01:34 AM PDT

•  Acknowledgment of "Higher Power"

  I have an answer for you, diarist.  

  Translated for present day:  The original idea of the head covering is not to express a political view or membership in a group, but to express acceptance of some form of higher power.  

  In the words of Mel Brooks and the 2000 year old man, "there's something bigger than Phil."

  For even a non-practicing person like me, in a place like the Holocaust memorial, when faced with the most awesome questions of human life, the head covering -- expressing acknowledgement something larger than the individual person, is fitting and  positive.

  See, not all that religious training was for naught!

  by smartcookienyc on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:10:50 AM PDT

•  All officials visit the Israeli Memorial.

  As was explained to me when I dated a very hot Israeli several years ago:

  When foreign dignitaries visit Israel for official visits, before any business gets conducted, before any sit down meals, the FIRST place on the itinerary is Yad Vashem.

  Gives the visiting party perspective and something to remember throughout the remaining parts of the visit.

  by smartcookienyc on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:18:56 AM PDT

•  Seems like most of the comments aren't on point

  so, in case no one said this,

  I have been to several Jewish funerals and weddings and they have a container of yarmulkes by the entrance for people who don't have one.  It is pretty much mandatory for men.

  by alliedoc on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:31:51 AM PDT