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Why does it seem like Ashkenazi Jewish movements take the lead on most issues?

I’ve heard people use the term “Ashkenormity” as an argument that the world is simply biased in believing Ashkenazi history is somehow the centerpiece of the Jewish experience.

People say this but can’t it be argued that the reason why Ashkenazi Jewry seem to be at center is because Ashkenazi Judaism typically has taken the lead in terms of being one of the most influential branches in all of Judaism?

  • Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform are all Ashkenazi rooted movements. The political and philosophical shifts that occurred in modern Judaism are all rooted in that breakup.

  • The most influential organizations in all of modern Judaism can be tied to the Chasidic movement and the groups that formed out of that. Chabad being one of the more famous examples in terms of having an influential lead figure (The Rebbe) and creating a blueprint for Jewish outreach.

  • The most notable Jewish political and cultural organizations are typically founded or headed by Ashkenazi Jews (ZOA – Morton Klein | AJC – John Shapiro | World Jewish Congress – Ronald Lauder | Benjamin Frankel (Founded Hillel) | The first Israeli PM was Ben Gurion (Polish born Jew) | etc.

I hear a lot of folks argue that they think Ashkenazi Jews get this centralized place in Jewish society. Can’t it be argued that the reason it may seem that way is Ashkenazi Jews are typically more active in many areas of modern Jewish religious/cultural/political life?

submitted by /u/TanookiDooki
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Source: Reditt