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Ethnic Groups Around Atlanta

By Tim Maitski

Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage GREC #208281

July 14, 2011 09:48 AM

Global Atlanta Works is a program designed to raise awareness about ethnic minorities around Atlanta.

They have put out some awesome "Snapshot" reports on 21 different ethnic groups around Atlanta. These reports are chock full of information, from the history of these groups in Atlanta to maps showing population centers of the various groups.

I love the diversity of Atlanta and I love working with people from all backgrounds. I learn a lot about the world from the various clients I deal with.

I've worked with:

African Americans, Asian Indians, Brazilians, Central Americans, Chinese, Cubans, Eritreans, Iranians, Koreans, Mexicans, Russians, Vietnamese, Israelies, Romanians, Brits, Belgians, Germans, Afghanis, Iraqis, Phillipinos and probably some others that I have forgotten about.

I've found that we are more alike than we are different. Most people want a nice home at a good price, in a safe area with good schools.

FYI, I am second generation Ukranian or more likely, Carpatho-Rusyn or Lemko. My grandparents came over on the boat around 1905. The name was Maici (Ma-it'-ski) which somehow got changed to Maitski(Mate'-ski). The old country of my grandparents is now part of Poland. My wife is Jewish and her great grandparents came over from Lithuania. So we are part of the American melting pot.

I hope you find these reports as interesting as I do.

English Speaking Caribbeans

Russians/former Soviets

Vietnamese

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Alan May

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL

Home is where the hearth is.

I always find it interesting when people say something similar to what you've written above..

"FYI, I am second generation Ukranian... My wife is Jewish and..."

Ukrainian denotes a geographic location, a country ... Jewish is a religion. I know that you then, went on to indicate that her great-grandparents came from Lithuania... but I always find it odd, when people make a point of mentioning "Jewish" as an origination or a "nation". You didn't say... "I'm from Catholic/Ukrainian extraction, and my wife is from Jewish/Lithuanian lineage" ... see what I mean. Your religion wasn't mentioned.... why should hers be?

Just a curiosity... and you're not alone in stating it that way. Just a curiosity.

Jul 14, 2011 10:24 AM

Tim Maitski

Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage - Atlanta, GA

Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal

Alan, Good questions.

I've been privy to the tribe for only 20 years so I don't claim to know the specific thinking of what it means to be Jewish. But if you ask my wife, she will say she is Jewish first and then later get into geographic location of her ancestors. Being Jewish isn't only about religion. I often question my wife and my inlaws why they consider themselves to be Jewish when they don't belong to a Synagogue and really don't believe in much of the Jewish religious scriptures. It's more of a cultural thing to them. The traditional holiday rituals seems to bring them together as a special group with common problems that their people have overcome throughout the centuries. Some can convert to Judaism but for the most part it comes from your ancestry. It might be worthwhile to research what Hitler's definition of a Jew was. It certainly wasn't just about what religion you followed. It was more about genetics. The Jews were a specific group of people. You know, God's chosen people. He made his covenant with Abraham and the seed of Abraham. I've read that through genetic mapping they can trace it back to common ancestors in the area of Israel. They were then dispersed all over the world after the Romans destroyed Israel. But whereever they went, they were always Jewish first. But then whereever you are, you begin to pick up the customs of the people around you. Some of the foods and holiday rituals of Ukranian Catholics and Lithuanian Jews are sometimes similar to eachother. There was never a Catholic nation but there was and is a Jewish nation. So that's the nationality that most Jews, no matter where the Diaspora sent them, associate with. It's amazing how the Jewish culture has held together for so long. But as more Jews like my wife get attracted to Gentiles like myself, the unique culture slowly loses some the the special things. But I'm always one for combining things and coming up with new traditions. I'm more of a Mr. Constanza with his Festivus holiday.

Your questions bring up a question as to what exactly qualifies as an ethnic group. Read the links to the Rusyn and Lemko articles I posted. It touches on that question. Even though people lived in the same area, doesn't mean that they are the same ethnic group. It's more about common traditions, common language and common ancestry. But usually a common religion is what then holds those people together and is the vehicle that keeps the traditions going from generation to generation.

In some ways Americanizing everyone into one big melting pot is good but then it also comes with the cost of losing some unique customs and thoughts that make diverse cultures so interesting.

Jul 14, 2011 01:49 PM

Michelle Francis

Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA

Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Tim,

Fascinating post. I was curious that there were not any Eurpoean links?

Then, Alan's comment is fascinating. For the friends I have that are Jewish, I definately agree that it is more cultural and they would claim that first.

All the best, Michelle

Jul 14, 2011 02:37 PM

Alan May

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL

Home is where the hearth is.

Great response... thanks for that. Thoughtful and thorough ... although I'm not surprised, as that's your modus operandi... thoughtful and thorough. And I did read those links, and you're right... geography doesn't necessarily determine "ethnicity".

Jul 14, 2011 02:45 PM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

@Alan,

It is in the Unites Sates Jewish is a religion. In the Soviet Union and in many other places it is a nationality.

In my passport it was: nationality - Jew

I was very surprised when I immigrated to the US, that Jewish here stands for a religion.

So, sorry, I am Jewish, who has never followed any religion even though it is darn wrong in the American tradition. Same like my wife is Russian, and Tim - Ukrainian

Jul 17, 2011 12:14 PM