I am leaving my Reform temple and joining a Conservative temple in large part because of the leftist politics at the Reform temple. I know Conservative temples, at least in my area of the country may not be great politically either, but I am sure it will be less objectionable than the Reform temple.
I am not Orthodox but as a Jew who fervently believes in my Judaism, but lax in my practice, I find Chabad is where I learn, am accepted, and can grow without feeling uncomfortable. Others have had the same experience. Just a suggestion.
How does one become more Jewish within the parameters of the Reform leniencies? I ask without sarcasm. Enlightenment didn't enlighten anyone. It was the beginning of the slippery slope. Replace G-d with the State. The Reform movement is a result of that. Judaism watered down so much that it allowed causes to become the religion.
If rabbis are scared of speaking in support of Israel because half their congregation will walk out, what is wrong with their congregation and with the moral leadership these rabbis are supposed to provide?
Israelis have covered themselves in glory with their courageous response to October 7. עם ישראל חי really means something over there!
American Jews, not so much. I prefer to give up membership in a meaningless synagogue and send the money instead to my brothers and sisters in Israel, where it can do some real good.
WHAT EXCUSE MONGERING! The man made Reform judaism is no more Judaism than Baptist is Catholicism. In fact many or most are Idolaters. They worship at the altar of liberalism PC and the democratic Party. And are a bigger danger to Israel than anything---WHY the most article anti israel voices in congress in the media are these Reform Jews. The majority voted for the the anti Israel obama biden harris. All the public understands is that these are Jews which gives a creditability to the Jew Israel haters like nothing else could. And their voting has diminished if not destroyed any political clout Israel had. Reminiscent of the H. Bush Secretary of State james baker's comment "fuck the Jews they don't vote for us anyhow".
the rabbi's own words
Look at what our movement has chosen, again and again, to spend its voice on: voting rights, immigration, environmentalism. None of them are particularly Jewish things.
Judaism has given extraordinary ideas to the world: that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God; that we have obligations to the stranger; that justice and human dignity matter. Those are Jewish ideas. I believe them. I hope you do too. But Judaism does not begin with humanity in general. It begins with Abraham.
YEAH JUDAISM not specifically reform
Somewhere along the way, especially in American Judaism, I worry we reversed the equation. We became extraordinarily good at translating Judaism into universal values like justice, equality, compassion, human dignity. NOT TRANSLATING TRANSFORMING TO THE POINT IT IS EVEN LESS JUDAISM THAN IT WAS AT ITS MAN MADE CREATION
I think that’s where Reform Judaism finds itself right now. We’ve spent generations widening — removing barriers, opening doors, making Judaism more accessible. Much of that was good. I am a Reform Jew because I believe in much of what that widening accomplished. HAHA REFORM RABBI LIKE ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE OF ISRAEL HATING AND SO MUCH ELSE DIMINISHING THE FUTURE OF JUDAISM ITSELF
I say, once again, Jews are not alone. The fatigue you speak of here in The West is the endless struggle to maintain the livelihoods and wealth of Nations here in The West waged at the top of all the States of The West to keep our high living standards. Further, we Jews have this crucial advantage: we know and see the real Enemy which is Nazism, because the Nazism behind all of the insurgent Antisemitism is clearly monitored here in Europe and in clear view, and is a threat to the whole of the rest of the World. Our job, which is a unique and covenanted and universal calling against this genocidal Totalitarianism, is an Eternal calling, and is recognised as such by the WHOLE of the rest of the World. Those of us used to this left the Fatigue you speak of behind long ago. To vigilance and Victory, my friends! The battle against Totalitarian Nazism is being won. And we have many friends! Thus we can ignore the narcissistic prate-ing of the Liberal elites in The West. This is why morale in Israel is sky high. We won against Nazism. For Real Nazism, which is the real enemy of the whole planet, has once again been defeated! And now we will beat them again and again and again…!
For many their Leftism Trumps their Judaism.
I am leaving my Reform temple and joining a Conservative temple in large part because of the leftist politics at the Reform temple. I know Conservative temples, at least in my area of the country may not be great politically either, but I am sure it will be less objectionable than the Reform temple.
I am not Orthodox but as a Jew who fervently believes in my Judaism, but lax in my practice, I find Chabad is where I learn, am accepted, and can grow without feeling uncomfortable. Others have had the same experience. Just a suggestion.
How does one become more Jewish within the parameters of the Reform leniencies? I ask without sarcasm. Enlightenment didn't enlighten anyone. It was the beginning of the slippery slope. Replace G-d with the State. The Reform movement is a result of that. Judaism watered down so much that it allowed causes to become the religion.
If rabbis are scared of speaking in support of Israel because half their congregation will walk out, what is wrong with their congregation and with the moral leadership these rabbis are supposed to provide?
Israelis have covered themselves in glory with their courageous response to October 7. עם ישראל חי really means something over there!
American Jews, not so much. I prefer to give up membership in a meaningless synagogue and send the money instead to my brothers and sisters in Israel, where it can do some real good.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-michigan-jews-endorse-pledge-to-vote-for-abdul-el-sayed/
"Be who you are!" Hebrew descendant from Abraham!
We compromise, to much, idolize, a waste of self, leads to abuse.
WHAT EXCUSE MONGERING! The man made Reform judaism is no more Judaism than Baptist is Catholicism. In fact many or most are Idolaters. They worship at the altar of liberalism PC and the democratic Party. And are a bigger danger to Israel than anything---WHY the most article anti israel voices in congress in the media are these Reform Jews. The majority voted for the the anti Israel obama biden harris. All the public understands is that these are Jews which gives a creditability to the Jew Israel haters like nothing else could. And their voting has diminished if not destroyed any political clout Israel had. Reminiscent of the H. Bush Secretary of State james baker's comment "fuck the Jews they don't vote for us anyhow".
the rabbi's own words
Look at what our movement has chosen, again and again, to spend its voice on: voting rights, immigration, environmentalism. None of them are particularly Jewish things.
Judaism has given extraordinary ideas to the world: that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God; that we have obligations to the stranger; that justice and human dignity matter. Those are Jewish ideas. I believe them. I hope you do too. But Judaism does not begin with humanity in general. It begins with Abraham.
YEAH JUDAISM not specifically reform
Somewhere along the way, especially in American Judaism, I worry we reversed the equation. We became extraordinarily good at translating Judaism into universal values like justice, equality, compassion, human dignity. NOT TRANSLATING TRANSFORMING TO THE POINT IT IS EVEN LESS JUDAISM THAN IT WAS AT ITS MAN MADE CREATION
I think that’s where Reform Judaism finds itself right now. We’ve spent generations widening — removing barriers, opening doors, making Judaism more accessible. Much of that was good. I am a Reform Jew because I believe in much of what that widening accomplished. HAHA REFORM RABBI LIKE ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE OF ISRAEL HATING AND SO MUCH ELSE DIMINISHING THE FUTURE OF JUDAISM ITSELF
I say, once again, Jews are not alone. The fatigue you speak of here in The West is the endless struggle to maintain the livelihoods and wealth of Nations here in The West waged at the top of all the States of The West to keep our high living standards. Further, we Jews have this crucial advantage: we know and see the real Enemy which is Nazism, because the Nazism behind all of the insurgent Antisemitism is clearly monitored here in Europe and in clear view, and is a threat to the whole of the rest of the World. Our job, which is a unique and covenanted and universal calling against this genocidal Totalitarianism, is an Eternal calling, and is recognised as such by the WHOLE of the rest of the World. Those of us used to this left the Fatigue you speak of behind long ago. To vigilance and Victory, my friends! The battle against Totalitarian Nazism is being won. And we have many friends! Thus we can ignore the narcissistic prate-ing of the Liberal elites in The West. This is why morale in Israel is sky high. We won against Nazism. For Real Nazism, which is the real enemy of the whole planet, has once again been defeated! And now we will beat them again and again and again…!