Are We Anglo-Saxons?

by Yishai Fleisher

Dear friends,

My wife and I plan, with Hashem's help, to make Aliyah this summer.

Recently I looked up the term 'Anglo-Saxon' in American Heritage Dictionary. I thought it may be of interest to you:

Anglo-Saxon
1.  A member of one of the Germanic peoples (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) who settled in Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries.  2.  Any of the descendants of these peoples who were dominant in England until the Norman Conquest of 1066.  3.  Any person of English ancestry. - adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Anglo-Saxons or their descendants, or their language or culture; English.

I don't know about you, but I'm an English speaking Jew, and in no way an Anglo-Saxon. I do enjoy a beer now and then, but I'm not from any German tribe. I'm from the Tribe of Israel, who in their long sojourns on this Earth happened to migrate to English speaking countries. Are Jews who live in South America called Incas? No, they are not.

As we English speaking Jews embark on the great return to the Land of Israel, it would be wise of us to carve out our niche in decidedly Jewish terms. The name we give ourselves will reflect our self-image. Something like "Yotzay America" (those who LEFT America), or "Yotzay Drom Africa" (those who LEFT South Africa), or more plainly "Dovrei Anglit" English speakers would fit the bill.

We are Jews not Jutes. It would be a shame for us to embrace a name that was once associated with our tormentors. We are proud Yisraelim from English speaking places.
We are finally back home!