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Jeannette's avatar

Thankyou, Z.E. for a well-written article presented at a critical time! I grew up in 1970s Oakland, California at Conservative "Temple Beth Abraham." My family was actively involved in several aspects of the Jewish Community. In retrospect, I felt very positive with the strength, enthusiasm & cohesion of the Bay Area's Jewish Community, and would readily claim that it was part of a Golden Era for that Jewish Community. Cut to 10/7, and its never-ending fall-out, the deliniations between Reform, Conservative, Recontructionist, and Orthodox movements are significantly more than merely a halachic difference. The differences have taken on a definite political nuance, & in doing so, have become a devisive force, fracturing the Jewish Community. As a young adult (& still today), I admired my Omama's active senior participation in synagogue life. She was at services without fail, every Shabbos. I treasured the feelings of reverance that embraced me when I accompanied her, davening by her side. I remember imagining that one day I, too, would be elderly, & I would regularly attend services. I am now in that general age bracket, and while I have no major excuse for not following in her steps, this significant fracture in Jewish identification & cohesiveness has created a longing for like-minded Jewish Community; A community that understands Jewish obligation toward Eretz Yisrael, & a community that understands that Judaism & the Land of Israel are interwoven and inseparable.

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FreedomFighter's avatar

The Conservative Synagogue is a comfortable synagogue. It is not as rigid as an Orthodox shul, but there is more religion and tradition than in a Reform one. But, they are often very expensive to join, many with such elaborate sanctuaries. I was a member of one until it became uncomfortably expensive. The dues were high, but you also had to pledge to a building fund (and there was little compromise on what they wanted from each member.) That was tough on young families and the elderly, who no longer had children in Hebrew school. The board members were mostly wealthy and saw no problem with the money required (of course not). I always thought that the wealthy (who, to be fair, gave generously) could give more. Since those days, I have become rather happy with Chabad (and their more right-wing political attitude), but presently, living an hour or so from the local Chabad, I don't go to shul.

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