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Why Be Jewish? Our 4th Response.

8/22/2011

I could write a book with this response. Quite simply. I converted to be Jewish, not just to live Jewishly.I believe you should be Jewish in order to perform certain things, like perform an Aliyah. However, I think it's up to the Rabbi to make the call. This is especially important in the case of people studying to convert (but not yet converted) and interfaith families.

Converting, instead of just living Jewishly, is a symbolic act of your commitment to the community, with all the rights and responsibilities therein.

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Why Be Jewish? Another response.

8/21/2011

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Another response to the last post on: Why be Jewish?

I read all the comments to the article. Intellectually I know that I converted because I wanted to be a Jew - to take on the responsibilities of and reap the rewards of being a member of the tribe. It wasn't because I wanted to do something specific in the synagogue. But, because belonging to a synagogue is pretty important to converts (especially those of us who have no Jewish family whatsoever - not even in-laws) the idea that anybody can walk through the door of a temple and be seen as equal to converts without doing the work involved to convert rubs me the wrong way.  To me, it devalues the conversion process if nothing is required of someone. One of the things I liked least about growing up as a Protestant was anybody could walk through the door of the church and purport to share those same values - but in reality their belief system could be all over the map. What I like about Judaism, and in fact what drew me to it in large measure, was that there is a shared belief system and you have to learn about it, go through a process of claiming it as your own, and then as a Jew you are held accountable by other Jews if you do not live up to those standards.

Quite different than someone who is lukewarm to the idea of being a Jew because their family might get upset or friends might not understand.

You can't be a little bit pregnant and you can't be a little bit Jewish - at least that's what I think. You either are or you aren't.

Every convert has had their own obstacles in the process of their conversion. Family members get incensed, friends ask questions that make you uncomfortable, fellow Jews don't "get" why you want to be Jewish. It's a big deal to convert and a process one should have to go through to become Jewish. It toughens you up for living a Jewish life. By going through that process you claim your Jewish identity in a way that you couldn't have if there not been those challenges.

I was thinking about Daniel Pearl's declaration of "I am a Jew" before he died. It is a claim I too would be willing to make, if faced with it. Would someone who attended my synagogue who was unwilling to convert be able to say the same if they were being persecuted for being affiliated with a synagogue? How would their declaration go - "I thought about becoming Jewish but decided the feelings of my extended family who would be annoyed or disappointed if I converted came first, so I didn't, but I really like the Jews and feel 'Jewish,' but I'm really not a Jew - my spouse is and we've raised our kids that way. Yes, I admit, I am asking my kids to live and die as a Jew, but I'm not willing to do the same myself."

I know that sounds harsh - but through the lens of a convert active in my synagogue - that was my immediate reaction to the discussion. It sounded to me more like people who want it both ways: convincing the clergy that they should be allowed to do everything a Jew does in the synagogue or else they will raise their kids outside the temple or something.   If the clergy really doesn't believe being a Jew is of value - then we're really in trouble. Warm bodies at all costs. I don't get it. You can be warm and welcoming and not give away the store.

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Why Be Jewish? Another Response...

8/18/2011

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I could write a book with this response. Quite simply. I converted to be Jewish, not just to live Jewishly.

I believe you should be Jewish in order to perform certain things, like perform an Aliyah. However, I think it's up to the Rabbi to make the call. This is especially important in the case of people studying to convert (but not yet converted) and interfaith families.

Converting, instead of just living Jewishly, is a symbolic act of your commitment to the community, with all the rights and responsibilities therein.

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Why Be Jewish?

8/15/2011

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When the Jewish community is asking itself about how to be inviting to interfaith families the question of conversion often comes up. Should non-Jews be allowed to do everything a Jew can do? Does it make any difference if someone lives among the Jews versus actually converting?

One respondent to an internet dialog asked, If you believe that conversion is nice, but it has no bearing on one's ability to "belong to" and "participate in the life of" the community, then in what way does the "identity" conferred by conversion "matter?"

I posed the question to some Jews by choice (converts). I want to share the replies with you.

Here is the first answer.

Good topic! Something I think about a lot.

There are three states: (1) being involved but not converting; (2) being involved and converting; (3) converting but not being involved. While Number 2 is the ideal, Numbers 1 and 3 show that actively belonging to the community is separate from converting, often related to it but not necessarily so. It's like being a resident alien with a Green Card as opposed to taking the oath and becoming a citizen. That final act makes you a real member of the club as opposed to just a visiting guest.

The "belong to" and "participate in the life of" sentiments miss out on an important element, which is the Jewish People. When you convert you become part of Am Yisrael (ie the People of Israel). If you are not converted you are only an associate of said people, but not actually one of them. A convert can make aliyah to Israel; a "Jewish associate" never could. The participating-in sentiment is alive only for as long as you actually participate; whereas once you are converted you could do nothing overtly Jewish yet you are still a Jew (ie Number 3 above). Converting is the step which makes your belonging-to irrevocable.

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Why Be Jewish? Our 4th Response.

Why Be Jewish? Another response.

Why Be Jewish? Another Response...

Why Be Jewish?

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