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Rural Converts Journey Into Judaism
SEEING THE LIGHT: Dvorah Bat-Zion (left) explains a biblical inscription inside Beth Shalom Synagogue in Memphis to Yedideia Israel (right), one of a group of 55 Africal Americans from Nairo, Ill., who converted to Judaism earlier this month
PLUGGING IN: Some of the Cairo, Ill., residents who decided to convert to Judaism wait to enter the mikveh, the final step in their lengthy conversion process
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More in NewsA rural community described as “far away from everywhere,” Cairo, Ill., boasts 40 churches, 40 blocks and fewer than 4,000 people — and as of earlier this month, it also has 55 brand-new Jews.
Dozens of Cairo’s residents — all African American and ranging from toddler to senior citizen — visited a mikveh in Memphis, Tenn., on December 9 and took the plunge into conversion. It was the culmination of an 18-month spiritual journey that has brought a number of Reform and Conservative Jews into common cause with a group of spiritual seekers from a town that is predominantly black and poor.
“It was incredible. Who would have thought that rabbis in St. Louis and Memphis would increase the number of Jews of color in America appreciably?” said Rabbi Micah Greenstein, who attended the conversion ceremonies and serves as the spiritual leader of Temple Israel, a Reform congregation in Memphis. “Judaism saved my life,” one of the converts told Greenstein. “That’s the first time in 100 converts that I’ve ever heard that,” the rabbi said.
The conversion odyssey, which was first reported on by Memphis’s Commercial Appeal newspaper, began in Cairo roughly four or five years ago, when a now 39-year-old computer repairman named Phillip Matthews grew disaffected with the Baptist faith in which he was raised and became interested in Judaism. Described as having a magnetic personality by several rabbis involved in the Cairo conversions, Matthews quickly found himself at the center of a study circle that involved an extended network of friends and family — including, by his estimation, 17 or 18 relatives, among them his mother, siblings, nieces and nephews — who ultimately converted to Judaism along with him.
“[Judaism is the] oldest and most reliable religion on the planet,” Matthews said in an interview with the Forward, explaining his initial interest. “We were the type of people, we didn’t just want to read what was in the book; we wanted to live out what we were reading.”
By sometime in 2006, Matthews had begun “teaching Torah study” and decided, along with more than 30 others, that he wanted to study toward conversion, according to Rabbi Lynn Goldstein, a Reform rabbi in St. Louis who mentored the Cairo group extensively.
“I got a phone call from Phillip, and he basically said, ‘I’d like to study to convert to Judaism,’” Goldstein recalled. “[They] came to this as a group, as a whole group of people who had been meeting for many years, studying the Torah, and observing the Sabbath.”
Although Cairo is roughly 170 miles south of St. Louis — a trip that takes two-and-a-half to three hours by car — Goldstein was the closest rabbi who volunteered to work with Matthews’s group. And so, the Cairo cohort began a series of arduous weekly journeys to study with her up in St. Louis, where the group members sat on folding chairs filling nearly every available space in her living room. At first, the caravan of adults and children made weekly treks up to St. Louis to study with Goldstein for two to three hours Wednesday evenings. Later, the group switched to meeting every other Sunday, all day.
“By the grace of the father in heaven, we had no accidents going up and down the highway for 18 months,” Matthews said of the long journeys.
Ordained at New York’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1987, Goldstein took the group on a number of field trips as part of the training, including to a kosher butcher and the St. Louis Holocaust museum. During her living room teaching sessions, young and old studied together, with her two young daughters leading separate educational games in the basement for the younger children. In total, the cohort of 55 converts included 11 children under the age of 13.
In Goldstein’s view, a turning point for the group came last April, when congregants at the synagogue where she maintains a part-time pulpit, Reform Congregation Beth Jacob in Carbondale, Ill., welcomed the members at a community service and the Cairo folks surprised everyone with a gospel-style arrangement of the Shema prayer.
“[Phillip said,] ‘You’re going to have to trust me,’ and then they started bringing in a keyboard and all sorts of stuff,” Goldstein recalled. “Everybody had their arms on each other and was swaying.”
Both Goldstein and Matthews said that members of the Cairo group felt genuinely embraced by members of the Carbondale congregation, many of whom are professors and professionals who work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
It was the mikveh ceremony itself that became the group’s final hurdle. While Goldstein recruited a number of Reform and Conservative rabbis in St. Louis to serve on the three-member batei din, or religious courts, needed to approve the candidates as ready for conversion, she was not able to arrange for the group to use St. Louis’s community mikveh, for reasons she declined to explain. Ultimately, the conversions were held at the Conservative Beth Sholom Synagogue in Memphis.
In Matthews’s view, rising to meet challenges is part of the essential message of Judaism.
“When you read the Bible, when you read the Old Testament, and you see all the things that the ancestors of old endured, you see what it is to have endured,” Matthews said.
Mordecai Miller, a Conservative St. Louis rabbi who helped authorize a number of the conversations, said he was impressed by the converts’ sincerity. “Did they have a halachic consciousness?” he asked. “The truth is that they do. And sadly, there are many Jews who do not have that sense of being commanded.”
On the weekends when there are no services or when the group can’t make the hour trek to Carbondale, Matthews said everyone observes the Sabbath together in Cairo. And as time goes on, he is hopeful that more members of his community will turn toward Judaism.
“Our job as a newly converted Jew is to show the people that there is a better way of life,” Matthews said. “Right now, we’re just taking a simple message to our people: If you’re seeking, what you’re seeking for you’ll find, and if you’re looking for truth, I believe in my heart that Judaism is a better option.”
If, at times, Matthews’s spiritual rhetoric still seems somewhat borrowed from Christianity, Goldstein argues that it is all part of the journey.
“Doesn’t everyone who comes to Judaism have their own understanding of what it is?” she said.
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My hope is that Ashknenazi Jews will fully accept these new members of the Jewish community with open arms. Israeli Ashkenazi counterparts have often sought to socially isolate Ethiopian or even Mizrahi Jews. The derogatory term "schwartze" is routinely utilized by the Ashkenazi "ruling" class. I remain curious as to why the conversion process could not take place at the St Louis Community Mikveh. Are we discussing Orthodox halachic rejection? We need to lay our cards on the table and discuss the heart of the matter rather than keep tribal squabbles behind closed doors.
I wholeheartedly welcome these people, as well as anyone else who is sincere, into Judaism and wish them the best of luck. Mazal Tov!
It's really good to see that our faith is alive and well after 4,500 years of existance. It really doesn't matter what branch our new members convert to. It's all about the future of Judaism. I really think that it's time to stop all the petty arguing about so called halachic law since that was an evolutionary development of the past 2000 years and Judaism - the oldest of the modern religions is more than double that. The most important issue is that our faith regardless of branch, movement etc. is a force to be reckoned with.
what a wonderful story for erev Shabbot
Temple Beth Zion, Brookline
My hope is that Ashknenazi Jews will fully accept these new members of the Jewish community with open arms. Israeli Ashkenazi counterparts have often sought to socially isolate Ethiopian or even Mizrahi Jews. The derogatory term "schwartze" is routinely utilized by the Ashkenazi "ruling" class. I remain curious as to why the conversion process could not take place at the St Louis Community Mikveh. Are we discussing Orthodox halachic rejection? We need to lay our cards on the table and discuss the heart of the matter rather than keep tribal squabbles behind closed doors.
Dear Ms. Siegel: As a retired Federal Administrative Law Judge of the United States Department of Labor, I had the occasion to "ride circuit" in southern Illinois, and happened to be in Carbondale during one Simchat Torah. I checked the "Yellow Pages," found Beth Jacob, and was warmly received by the congregation during my time there. Given my own experience, I can see, in my mind's eye, the new Jews being warmly welcomed, as I was. During my own years of Hebrew study, I remember learning that there is no Hebrew word for "convert." Thus, once an individual passes muster before the Beit Din, he or she is Jewish -- not a converted Jew. I congradulate Rabbi Lynn Goldstein on her welcoming spirit and for having helped our Cairo, Illinois sisters and brothers to become part of our Jewish family.
It seems to me that Rabbi Goldstein also possesses a strength and purity of spirit that permitted her to see past skin color, to see past old religous backgrounds, and to see past the cultural differences that so often serve to separate us despite the presence of clear conscience and a genuine need to embrace Judaism. What a wonderful story, not only because every Jew is precious to us, but because if we allow ourselves to do so, we can also gather up the inspiration so obvious in our Cairo co-religionists, and make it our own. Mazel Tov!
Totally absurd and without any validity. Which sums up the Reform movement and its relevance to Rabbinical Judaism.
If the "new Jews" of Cairo are so serious about Judaism, why didn't they take an Orthodox conversion? Why didn't the Forward reporter ask them?
In response to "Shai," I have not heard the word "shvartze" used since my childhood- and my childhood was over 50 years ago. And I resent the term "ruling class" as applied to Askenazim.
As a gentile who finds great blessing observing Torah (as “the righteous of the nations” have from earliest times as seen in the Torah) I would like to see this group of converts followed to see what blessings they observe from following the loving instructions given by God.
I still fail to see why their conversion would not have been just as valid had they gone through the same process that Ruth (the great grandmother of King David) underwent as she went from being a member of the despised Moabite people to becoming a highly honored member of Israel.
In Ruth’s case there were no rabbis, classes or field trips. Should we declare Ruth’s conversion invalid?
www.constantinesgourd.blogspot.com
Nthing derogatory about 'schvartze'. The word means black in yiddish. The kind of person who finds this word 'derogatory' must be heavily indoctrinated in all things Politically Correct.
I am really amazed at the bias among those who claim to be observant and still fail to understand that "schwartze" while in German or Yiddish may mean black, it is clearly a pejorative term. I find a narrowness akin to right wing evangelism that the only true Jew is an orthodox Jew.I have great admiration for the group in Cairo Il, who made the considerable effort to convert. I wish I could know that at 71 there are still enough years left for me to make the same journey. Although my parents and all ancestors are Jewish, that doesn't automatically make me a Jew. I have neither studied or had been a Bar Mitzvah. I identify as a Jew in name only.I have missed much.
Marvin, by your own definition you are most definitely a Jew. Your Jewishness is not dependent on your education or being called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Do yourself a favor and go to your local Chabad this Shabbos, tell the rabbi your story, and you'll have your bar mitzvah that very day. Want more? Why not? Go back Sunday and try out the oldest internet in the world: wrap some tefillin and connect yourself to the very source of your neshama. Hotzlocha! Good Shabbos! and Yasher Koach in advance!
Love, A Jew loving Jew in South Florida
The story moves me as does the prophecy of Zechariah who foretells of the day when all the Nations of the World will pay homage to Jerusalem recognizing that Gd walks with the Nation of Israel, and that Israel exists to bring Light Into the World. I would like to address Marvin Wilkenford here. Marvin, You are a Jew and you may use the word to describe who you are. If you are born of a Jewish mother, than you are a Jew. We do not have 'halves', Nazis do. If you have been non-observant up til now, then you have a wondrous journey before you. What great fortune it is to have an inspired path before you now as you enter a new phase of life. May your journey in self-discovery be blessed in every step of the way.
A lovely story conveying a beautiful chain of events. Welcome!
I am truly shocked that some find this a good opportunity to bash the Reform movement. The tone of those comments conveys an impression that the commenters are not particularly familiar with worship, study and community practices in Reform settings -- since they are as "irrelevant" as "non-alcoholic wine." Plenty of Jews in the Reform movement find it plenty relevant and real. Stop on by some time!
Remember those Peruvian Indians a few years back who instantly converted and got flown to Israel to become hewers of wood and drawers of water?
"Judaism Lite" for other races and continents is one way of stopping the relentless demographic gap being opened up by the Arab birth rate; but the Herzl boys will sure have to step up the pace, and going by the experience of the Falasha airlift, some social problems will ensue in the secular paradise;-)
In Ireland during the Great Famine, starving Catholics who would switch to the Protestant church for a bowl of soup were known as "soupers". Sounds as if Cairo, IL, could supply a few on the same lines. After all, American shvartzes always knew Jews had the money snd you'd better make nice with them, so they'd give you credit on fancy duds. It was the whole basis of the Civil Rights movement!
Jack claims, "Totally absurd and without any validity. Which sums up the Reform movement and its relevance to Rabbinical Judaism."
Such a goyisha attitude! Rather than being an example to the world, Jack portrays himself as a jerk.
First of all - to Marvin: Your mother was a Jew? You're a Jew!
I welcome these people to the family of Jews. However (uh!oh!) in order for them to be 'fully accepted' in today's Jewish world, they really ought to go through a conversation with an Orthodox rabbi. I am sure that with their sincerity, they will want to.
Incredible! G-d bless them in their journey. I went through three conversions and it took three years. The Orthodox conversion was the final one that Israel accepted when I emigrated to Israel. Sadly, my daughter wasn't happy and I returned to the U.S. I find this very encouraging and spiritually uplifting. We Jews have so much to offer the world that is good and for people to come on their own and ask to convert and to put in the hard work and study that is required is truly amazing.
Reform certainly can be termed Judaism Lite, however the reality is in many small towns and cities it is the only option available for Jews. What I find even more distressing is the Pro-Liberal-Left stance this organization takes on every policy issue. As for the word schwartze , whether it is 'perjorative' depends entirely on who is using it. To abitrarily condemn its usage one must condemn every other word denoting color: yellow, red, brown, purple etc. Just another example of PC nonsense.
Mazel Tov to Rabbis Goldstein, Miller, to the remarkable Phillip Matthews and all of our new brothers and sisters in Cairo, IL. May the light of your faith shine brightly to Jews and all others who are seeking truth and Torah. I say more, more, more ! Upward and onward ! B'Chaztlacha and much success in the future to you and the growth of Am Yisrael !
There's an awful lot of prejudice being revealed in this thread of comments. What a sad commentary on the writers that is. Fortunately, the article itself shows that, as a community, American Jews can rise above such pettiness.
There's a longstanding, and valid, tradition within Judaism to question the motives of a person seeking conversion. And, when the words 'mass' and 'conversion' get placed together, it's natural for that suspicion to rise even higher. One might question, for example, the motives of the 'Bet Menashe' Jews of rural India, who converted as a group when the opportunity arose to improve their economic standing by emigrating to Israel.
But where's the evidence--not speculation, but evidence--to support that skepticism here? It's certainly not within the confines of the article. And I applaud as authentically and traditionally Jewish those who, as halacha would require, discard the tag of 'convert' and accept these people for who they are--Jews.
The rest, to paraphrase Hillel, is commentary; now--for those still skeptical--go and ensure that these Jews, and others, learn it.
This is an amazing story. However, it is unfortunate that these wonderful people from IL will not really get to learn in the way that they were originally inspired to, because the level of learning in the Reform and Conservative just isn't as deep as in Orthodox Judiasm. I remember hearing a number of years back how a group of Ministers from "The Bible Belt", who were studying the Bible, realized just how much they couldn't have known upon coming across some Torah oriented websites. This eventually led to their conversions. Which is to say that the journey from Cairo isn't over yet. Sort of like from Mitzrayim to Sinai still to come.
A typical manifestation of what is called 'Reform' Judaism in the 21st century in keeping with the philosophy and ideologies of recent decades which are now known as Political Correctness. It is in matters such as this that the true nature of Reform is seen: totally divorced from the Torah and Rabbinical Judaism. They can welcome whoever they want into their ranks but to imagine that these people are 'Jews' is beyond nonsense.
For those who feel that these people should have converted Orthodox - note that the story says that Rabbi Goldstein was the closest rabbi who agreed to work with them - and she lived 170 miles away. One wonders why they had to travel so far - were there no rabbis in towns closer to them?
I think it's a very moving story and I wish them well. For those concerned about the level of learning in Reform & Conservative synagogues - it sounds like these people are dedicated to learning more about Judaism. I think that we should all be glad that people are still attracted to Judaism and consider it something more desirable than the majority religion we are all surrounded by.
Bruchim habaim. This may have been the most heartwarming article that I've read in 2007!
December 21, 2007
In the first place, NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD WELCOME NEW FELLOW BELIEVERS TO THEIR RELIGION according to any historical, religious, or philosophical work I have ever heard of. For "so-called" "religious" or "Orthodox" Jews who actually practice a form of Judaism more in line with 16th century ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION than thousands of years of JEWISH TRADITION is LAUGHABLE! Judaism has gone through changes over thousands of years, even then there were religious, not-religious, even Essenes who appear to be similiar to Quakers, Shakers, and Monastastic Orders, except, of course for their non-belief in Jesus and Mary, etc.
The Bible, which is the Five Books of Moses, called the TORAH, and many other books which "closed" with I believe during the reign of the Maccabean Dynasty in Judea just as the Romans were starting to come in, was written in Aramaic, and the oldest full version is in GREEK, written in EGYPT. Under these condition YIDDISH-speaking Eastern European Jews produced religious observances of their time, i.e. 1450-1650 in the Polish-Lithuanian State, which the "Orthodox" now try to farb off on people as "real Judaism"! What a laugh.
My ancestor Jakob Herz Beer (1769-1825)'s Reform Services in the Beer Villa in the Thiergarten with Israel Jacobson, Eduard Kley and Leoopold Zunz about 1803-1815 were probably closer to "ancient Hebrew" traditions that the Orthodox Services in Poland or Lithuania, White Russia, or Ukraine, then or now.
The IDIOTS that produce MORONS who think ROMAN CATHOLIC PRACTICES re-packaged as "Orthodoxy" for Judaism are a disgrace, and that is where we get such STUPID comments as "converting to Reform Judaism (is, apparent David doesn't know what a verb is) like becoming a conoisseur of non-alcoholic wine?".
Marvin: Whether you see yourself as a Jew or not, the important thing is to be a mensch first and foremost. Not all Jews are correctly identified as a mensch, that is, they are not necessarily civil or ethical. Halacha is secondary in the grand scheme of things.
It's depressing to see how many people here seem to think that orthodox Judaism is the only form of Judaism that counts. Presumably these are the same orthodox Jews in Israel who prefer to stay at home and study the Torah whilst their less religious countrymen serve their time in the army, fighting for the country that they believe in.
Our community needs all kinds of Jews, not merely Orthodox Jews.
Ladies and gentlemen, I now pronounce you Reform Jews with all rights and privileges thereof. None of which have any official connection with the main body of Jewish worship, the Orthodox Jews. Mazel tov.
Put me down on the side of those who find the Orthodox sense of superiority both misguided & arrogant. Centuries of rabbinic commentary often has mistaken Bronze age & medieval traditions for the true spiritual message of Torah. Living a bronze age desert lifestyle has nothing to do with the truths of Judaism, and does not bring anyone closer to Hashem. Bravo to the new Jews of Cairo, and Rabbi Goldstein
I am amazed at the animosity so many of the posters here have, not only to Reform Judaism which they clearly have no real understanding of but to our new brothers and sisters as well. Our numbers dwindle daily as people become disgusted by similar exclusionary sentiments and practises. Other faiths add on new adherents by the thousands and millions and we quibble over the validity of 55 and the means by how they wish to express it.
Such language is no better than that of certain evangelicals who hide the same age old anti-semitism behind a veneer of "respect" for the orthodox branch. How dare you call into question the motives of these people. How dare you call into question the faith of the reform community. Your criticisms though cloaked in the allusions to Torah are as offensive as any anti-semetic slur and pertaining to the new converts, stink of racism as well. You all know full well what the word schwartzer connotes.
Mazel Tov to our new brothers and sisters. Most of us welcome you with open arms.
What has made us unique from ancient times was the largely insular characteristic of our community. Jews from all over the world have been found to share common DNA. Those in favor of mass conversions of non-jews are quick to label as racism any view opposing. But the truth is most Jews who follow Torah, and by any definition this does not include the Reform movement, do not want to incorporate Gentile characteristics into the Jewish people. Let the Politically Correct doctrinaires intrepret that any way they want. To be a Jew is to be part of an ethnicity distinguished by certain characteristics of intelligence and culture carefully refined over thousands of years by Jews largely marrying within the faith. This 'conversion' fulfills the needs of the Reform movement, not the needs or the desires of Real Jews. Let the ranting begin.
Nadav,
What if you discovered your great (x20 generations past) grandmother was a covert like Ruth (grandmother of David)? Please don't tell me you believe a "real Jew" is one who is the by-product of 'line breeding'. Just consider the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh. How many Jews have an Egyptian mother in their lineage?
Viewing Jews as a 'race' is at best an uninformed opinion. At worst, it is the foundation of Nazism.
Natan
Natan it is indisputable and beyond doubt that different races posses different levels of intelligence, on average. The recent furor concerning the statements made by Prof. Watson regarding the general intelligence level of blacks, on average, touched a Politically Correct nerve which says speaking of this in public is taboo. Just because the nazis believed in something doesn't automatically make it a subject beyond the bounds of polite discussion. If Hitler also believed Apple pie was the greatest thing since sliced bread would that also make Apple pie an object of scorn? The fact is everything Watson said was correct and backed up by at least 100 years of solid research and testing.That basic evolutionary logic predicts we should expect intelligence differences between racial groups is, if anything, an uncomplicated truth. All the critics while fuming and hurling the usual accusation of 'racist' at one who dares bring up this taboo subject, failed to provide one solid piece of evidence to refute him. One more note, he did not apologize for what he said as mis-reported in the media. Access his entire statement on the incident to see what he actually said.
We have met this group now a number of times in St.Louis at the Holecaut Museum and education sesions at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. They are a sincere group of converts and a joy to meet.
Nadav "indisputable"? "beyond doubt"? ... that does not sound anything like Dr. Watson said. Let us note that you are comparing two social variables ("race' & "IQ") that are both notably imprecise. Let us note further and most importantly that scientific method rules out finality and dogma ... no sir, what you claim is clearly contradictory & false on your very own terms .... worse yet it is pure racial pseudosceince ... shanda!
There are more than 65 psychometric intelligence study citations for sub-Saharan Africa, collected in IQ & Global Inequality, Race Differences in Intelligence, and IQ & the Wealth of Nations. The citations cover 47% of SS African countries or 78% of the people by national population numbers. The studies vary in quality, sample size, and representativeness, but broadly agree in their findings. Representative studies of the school age population with large sample sizes do not exhibit higher scores, much less scores that approach anything like European norms.
******************
Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: 43 W/ data: 20 (47% coun/78% pop) Studies: 65 IQ: 68
West Africa Countries: 20 W/ Data: 6 (30% coun/65% pop) Studies: 15 IQ: 67
Central Africa Countries: 5 W/ Data: 3 (60% coun/80% pop) Studies: 9 IQ: 64
East Africa Countries: 8 W/ Data: 5 (63% coun/93% pop) Studies: 16 IQ: 72
Southern Africa Countries: 10 W/ Data: 6 (60% coun/76% pop) Studies: 25 IQ: 69
I am delighted by this news. I am too religious for Reform/ Conservative, but not religious enough for Orthodox, and I am still delighted by this news ! We need more people like Phillip Matthews.
How incredibly nasty, hateful, rude and racist these "Orthodox" posters are. Didn't your mothers and your rabbis ever teach you about loving your fellow human as you love yourself? The God I worship in my Reform shul doesn't reject those who embrace him (no matter the "branch" of Judaism), unlike you Orthodoxists. Instead of bashing this wonderful group of converts, why can't you rejoice in their choice? I wish I lived close enough to Cairo, Ill., to welcome them into Judaism personally and to enjoy Shabbat and other holy days with them.
What lot of big issues here! I am dismayed when I encounter a level of consciousness that assumes that Judaism belongs only to people of European decent, which term in this discussion will be used synonomously with the term “white” despite the fact that Jews of all colors struggle against an antisemitic Euro decended “ruling class” in this country. The writings and behaviors of some Ashkenaziim suggest that Gd left it to them to scrutinize and judge the validity of how sincere in commitment to hashem an individual is unless they of maternal Euro Jewish decent. I am aware that European Jews have a rich history of developing halachah, but I do not see how this gives white jews a monopoly on Judism. Where they created as obstacles to a communal experience of living mitvot out based in part on their skin color? The question remains to be answered whether each of us would question Ruth, as a previous individual asked, even though there are those Jews who choose to believe that darker skinned individuals are underhumans when it comes to intelligence. Do you envision that Ruth looked European?
I understand that this suspicion is also there for all converts, but over a long time I have observed that dark skinned people are questioned and rejected more readily. As for the debate whether the German (!) term for black is 'perjorative' only in the eyes of the PC reader? Had you all been called that but once there would be no debate. How can one care more for the feelings of the challah on the shabbos table than for the feelings of a human being? It hurts especially deeply because I yearn for a higher level of consciousness in my Jewish siblings. I have been similarly told that the N word only means black and that if I am hurt when a white person calls me that—and I have been called both, that I am hurt only because I choose to be hurt. If Avraham, Sarah and Yitzchak showed up wearing their dark skin for shacharit, would you call them that? Would you invite them to lunch in your home that day if you had the resources? They might be angels. How can one be sure they are not?
As for the perspective espoused previously that dark skinned people are inherently less intelligent... IQ tests are tests of levels of cultural assimilation to the testers. I cannot test you on what you know, only on what I know, and I guarantee you if a panel of insulated people of color made an IQ test, the less savvy and more prejudiced of us would be citing studies of white peoples’ inferior intelligence. Correlation does not imply causation. Murray, Hernstein and similar authors repeatedly committed the error of ignoring simple fundamental statistical fact in their well circulated conservatively (mainstream right wing) funded book "The Bell Curve" several years back. They also argued that "poor whites" etc. have inferior intelligence, The definition of intelligence itself is founded upon degrees of perceived adaptivity to one’s environment. Also, the majority of respected social scientists were unimpressed by the work both because the conclusions were profoundly flawed (correlation does not imply causation), it demonstrated, as a whole a lack of scientific rigor, and the transparency of the political motives of its supporters (arguments for reducing educational funding for the poor, people of color, etc.) because after all, intelligence is inherited. This all began in the19th century eugenics (!) movement by Sir Francis Galton who believed the size of peoples' heads might be a measure of intelligence, that Europeans of means were more intelligent, that races other than his own were less intelligent, that intelligent people ought to avoid marrying unintelligent people and of course, that men were more intelligent than women. Also, the children of such tests have been used on immigrants (including white Jews) to stigmatize them upon entry. Of course they were in the language and culture of the testers and European Jews were branded unintelligent as a result of their distance from the culture of those who created the test. They are still devising tests that most white social scientists admit are culturally biased. There is great controversy now even among the most reputable scientists over how to create a “culture free” test (many believe it is not possible), but meanwhile homogenous groups of culturally U.S. white people continue to judge others for adapting to realities that are drastically different from their own. I an infinite number of experiences where white people communicate their shock that I seem to be intelligent in various ways. Being multicultural, as has been necessary for me, I know for sure that my level of intelligence is typical among African Americans. It may even be that intelligence is not a hierarchal attribute. The fact that white Jews and non-Jews are so often nestled in communities that trained and continue to support the view that they are inherently smarter than black people is sadly only one of many symptoms of the main obstacles to my having a fuller communal experience as a person of color all of which have far reaching ramifications for the degree of acceptance a person with dark skin will receive interpersonally within the Ashkenazi dominated Jewish community in this land. The article was interesting. I, too was interested in the 'not in our mikveh they don't' reasons also. It is also my extended experience that the very 'insular' orthodox characteristics that are held up as "real Judaism" by some are the most psychically toxic environments for someone who is not "white-skinned". The stated ideals are fabulous but the implementation falls short. Beyond the superficial “Shabbat Shalom” “are you Jewish?” “did you convert?” it seems no amount of attendance over the years leads to an invitation to lunch, and my invites have met with polite suggestions of rainchecks and future avoidance. I have had the impression at times that dark skin is associated with Canaanites. All this has seemed to put Orthodox rabbis to whom I have spoken in very difficult positions when I want to talk about the instances race based alienation within their synagogues because they understandably do not want to alienate their constituency. “It is what it is,” one rabbi said. I personally know an African American woman who spent 22 years trying to get an Orthodox rabbi to convert her. I know of similar stories from others who eventually give up because the lack of support in the orthodox community. Each wound up converting conservative or reform with a sigh of relief—not to say issues and obstacles do not remain. As a Jew who is proud of my dark skin and African Jewish heritage, I feel somewhat uniquely qualified to say I think the Illinois group saved themselves a lot of suffering because 1) they came as a group so they are not dependant upon white Jews to accept them and 2) they did NOT suffer the system of exclusion to the degree that they may have in an orthodox community. They may have given up after ingesting the unofficial “we love you to visit but don’t stay long enough to marry our daughters” vibe. On the receiving end the message is quite clear. These places like to believe that race is irrelevant but this is not tested until someone like me comes in, am shocked, then gently communicates otherwise at which point I become responsible for my own predicament, which teaches me to suffer silently on the periphery of their community and pretend that only their feelings are important. With no allies bold enough to help educate folk (some of whom don’t know how to treat a black person as an equal up close, and others who enjoy feeling ‘better than’), this is a pretty grim prospect with a wild elephant crashing about at will seeming to hurt no one else. A blonde Orthodox rabbi (bless his heart) once intimated that the s.f. bay area is about as good as it gets in Orthodox synagogues and that his European s’pharti father was called that perjorative term. He had to grow up with that in Israel. The racism is that deep. All in all I refuse to be driven out all together as was my mother in Chicago when I was a child.
They "converted" because they know "Jews have money"?. So often I defend white Jews because people say they are not oppressed and are in fact no different than other white people: the average Jew has more money than a non-Jewish white person. There is often a covetousness about the eyes as they frown these words. I tell them that’s a stereotype and that their thinking is reminiscent of pre-Nazi Germany. All Jews don’t have a lotta money. Also, that thinking is an example of the type of insulting scrutiny African Americans undergo from white Jews that “converting” white people do not have to endure. Who knows, they may be returning to the religion of their foremothers since slavery here robbed most of us of our ancestral geneology back to and before the middle passage and many rabbis (especially orthodox) require proof of our matrilineal Hebrew heritage despite how Jewish our upbringing may have been. It seems a multiple blow to survive the brutalies of slavery here, have it used as one method to keep us out of Judaism, finally breaking the shackles of a religion that did not otherwise permit survivors over the centuries, as we endure racism within and without Judaism by white skinned people who all too often do not acknowledge the material access that “passing” gives them. The “ruling class” here is more likely to let Ashkenazim into the power/economic structure than an African American. One of the main reasons we were shipped here was that, unlike indentured servants, white “slave owners” could visibly keep track of us over many generations. Ironically, European American Jews have a great deal more access to the very things that lead them to speak and behave (if not believe) that they are better than us whether we are Jews or not.. Not all of us (black people) have the heart to climb back into the sketchy buying and selling of family parts buried over all those scalding generations of slavery times in this land and we are aware that many white Jews used that skin color to benefit financially from the slave trade in the U.S. It is disturbing to read that some then use the economic status they gained as a result of skin color priviledge then and/or now as a weapon to bludgeon the unprovoked integrity of these African American Jews. And yes I am aware that some of them were allies during the civil rights movement and today, which brings me to a question.. I wonder...
Why do Jews of European descent avoid topics of interpersonal racism within the hearts of their own communities (religious and secular) rather than be supportive, active allies within the same context when social justice is the very desire of their hearts? Doesn't the struggle for social justice begin at home from the inside-out rather than fighting injustice / oppression in someone else's community?
What a wonderful story of spirituality and renewel. If only Jews by birth were as devoted and sincere in their beliefs as these incredible souls. This is inspirational. Perhaps Judaism should devote more effort into bringing sincere converts of whatever ethnicity into the flock. Non-observant, self-loathing Jews are of no value to the faith. Welcome to my brethren from Cairo! Blessings upon you and your's. Also, the word "schwartze" is pejorative and has no place in our community. It's time the ghetto mentality of eastern europe was erased.
For more information on those Peruvian converts see http://www.tni.org/detail_page.phtml?page=archives_landau_peru
Another opinion on what it means to be 'Jewish'
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/magazine/14syrians-t.html
Sarah-Myriam, I fully agree with your post. It is inexcusable that we "European" or "mediterranean" origin Jews should be racist. However, I think and hope that things are changing. As a Sefardic Jew, I have noticed that once any group within the Jewish people grows bigger, the Ashkenazi establishment is forced to acknowledge it and stop being prejudiced, or at the very least is slowly forced to stop teaching prejudice. So in the future, as more non-Europeans embrace Judaism, the Ashkenazi establishment will become less prejudiced/ stop being prejudiced, sadly initially only from a cynical power structure point of view, but hopefully eventually sincerely. Since most Europeans are happy with the Christian structure, even if they are secular, it is most likely that in the future the growth in our people will come from minority groups in North and South America and in the 3rd world.
"As for the debate whether the German (!) term for black is 'perjorative' only in the eyes of the PC reader? Had you all been called that but once there would be no debate. How can one care more for the feelings of the challah on the shabbos table than for the feelings of a human being? It hurts especially deeply because I yearn for a higher level of consciousness in my Jewish siblings."
Sarah Myriam,
the term Schwartze isn't just German it's an Yiddish word. These are two distinct but related languages (Yiddish is also intimately related to Hebrew) and for you not to see it is equally offensive.
In any case, the word for Black person in Yiddish is Shwartze just as the word for Black person in Spanish is Negro. Nothing pejorative there in and off itself.
It could be pejorative just as the word Jew, Judio, Juden, etc can be pejorative in the mouths of many people.
Jews have lived with that for millenia. Just learn to ignore it. It will make you a stronger person, believe me.
Asking people to change their language habits will only make you unhappy and more of a target. This is what the Jews have taught over many centuries. Be a proud Shwatzer and a proud Jew.
It's the people who use it in a derogatory manner who should be ashamed of themselves.
Take care.
Dave,
Are you really jewish because your post is so woefully erroneous? The main body of Jewish worship strongly opposed to inter-mariage or conversion are the Sephardic and Mizrahi communities. Not only does the Syrian jewish community forbid inter-marriage but their rabbis have also passed an edict outlawing any 'conversion' process. The same attitudes are to be found among the other communities, Iranian, Egyptian, Yemeni etc. Not surprisingly, these people have maintained the unique ethnic characteristics of what traditional jews always exemplified. It is the ashkenazic, Europeans who founded reform and who constitute its main body today.
Phil, I am sorry you don't think I am Jewish. Three of my great-great-grandfathers were rabbis in Iraq. Growing up in Canada, I felt that I was totally irrelevant as a Jew, since everyone I knew was Ashkenazi, and they were very much into the Jewish people, and hardly at all into religion. As a child I was not made to feel welcome or unwelcome by my Jewish friends, I was just irrevelant to their concept of Jewishness. I was basically a friend, because I was a friend- it had less than nothing to do with the fact that I was Jewish. I personally I am very welcoming of anyone who wants to become Jewish, whether black, white, red, or yellow. We need more Jewish people. We are 0.007 percent of the world's population, and shrinking. My dream is 150 million Jews worldwide in my lifetime, and I'm 49 now. I am starting an organization to promote Judaism.
Dave, It has been all throughout history that our people have been noted for our unique qualities in learning, the arts, science and business. For Jews what has always mattered has been Quality, not Quantity. For those reasons, I treasure our distinct culture of, until recent times, marrying within the faith. Events such as the Cairo 'conversion' add nothing to our genetic heritage except maybe introduce those specific genes which enhance jumping and running ability. Your desire and that of the Reform movement if, G-d forbid it ever became reality, would lead to the disappearance of the historic Jewish people.
I too feel that the story is as inspiring as the story of Ruth and sincerely hope that they will be strong in their growth. Dave, it is better now than it was when I was a child, though I don’t know how much is geographical as I grew up in Chicago and now live in the Bay Area.. For example there is a fabulous black synagogue in Chicago now. Such options did not exist for me then. There are groups like B’Chol Lashon and JGate making headway, helping people communicate bridges to one another and to hashem.. Thank you for sharing your vision of future Judaism. Ben, I was aware that the term is both German and Yiddish. I have never been called that term in a pleasant or neutral context but in the presence of people who either believe as you seem to that there is no power in associations with a word, or they suffered hearing me called that in submissive fear of communal disapproval. I have witnessed many attrocities as that word was being used and am conditioned to return emotionally when I am called that in the absence of allies. It has been used much as the N word has been used. I prefer not to associate the spiritual violence expressed in that word to Ashkenazim which is why I did not mention the fact that it is also Yiddish. Perhaps part of EuroJewish survival included hyper-assimilation—internalizing a fear of dark skin. Oppressors can do that and it is a human response to extreme circumstances. All races of which I am familiar has done this to varying degrees. As to the word with which you are so comfortable, both of us being human I’d venture that if you had walked in my shoes you would feel as I do. I am uniquely qualified between the two of us to say: If you care one thousandth what you care for the feelings of the challah...PLEASE don’t call us that word and then tell us how we should feel in the hearing of it. No means no. It is akin to rape. I say it hurts, you tell me to lay back and enjoy it. I thank you for being a menshe in advance. Be well all.
Phil, What you call are unique qualities (learning, the arts, science and business) as Jews have also been possessed by other minority groups forced to be competitive in their host societies eg. the Armenians, the overseas Chinese, and many other immigrant groups. As far as I am concerned, on the macro-level of the Jewish people, the most important things are work, high personal ethics, and Torah observance, in that order. These three things can be fully accomplished by converts as well as born Jews. Have you read about people like Rav Moshe Hattori, or Ahuva Gray? They have fully internalized the concepts of work, high personal ethics and Torah observance as well or better than any "born" Jew. I pray that more people like them, as well as people like Phillip Matthews do us the supreme compliment of joining our people. Ultimately Judaism is part of man's striving towards pure monotheism. The messianic era will have arrived when all religions adopt pure monotheism. Until then Judaism has a responsibility, which sadly most Jews including myself (until recently) have shirked- ie. to promote pure monotheism. The most effective way that we can promote pure monotheism is to promote Judaism, in whatever form- whether Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, or Karaite, or indeed Samaritanism, since all factions fervently promote pure monotheism. There are other religions such as Islam and Sikhism which are avowedly pure monotheist, but Sikhism is basically a mostly an ethnic-based religion whose members are overwhelmingly from the Punjab or of Punjabi origin, and Islam still has to finish its fanatic-dominated phase and go back to the moderate emphasis of its Golden Age. So, we, the Jews are uniquely qualified for our responsibility to spread pure monotheism throughout the world. But we won't be able to do it if there are only 15 million of us (and shrinking). We need all the Rav Gamedzes, Phillip Matthewses, Rav Hattoris and Ahuva Grays that we can get.
Sarah-Miryam, I agree with your post 100 percent. You are absolutely right, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. They are absolutely wrong.
"Dave, It has been all throughout history that our people have been noted for our unique qualities in learning, the arts, science and business." PHil
Phil, this absurdly wrong.
Ashkenazi Jews are even according to you the most mixed genetically of all Jews. Yet it they who have contributed the most in the arts and the sciences as well as to Talmudic lore. It is also the Ashkenazim who are intermarrying at dizzying rates.
The Mizhrahi and other isolated communities didn't intermarry because they lived under and oppressed religious system that forbade the conversion of Muslims to Judaism.
Get you fact thraight, chaver.
Another important fact when Mizrachi Jews live the country in which they were born their intermarriage rate is the same of any other Jewish group. Look at the "Iranian Jews" in the US.
Ben, You are totally wrong on your dismissal of the Sephardic and Mizrahi communities and the renowned commentators they produced on the Tanach. One should at least have a basic knowledge of his own peoples' history before putting his statements in print. Rav Saadia Gaon himself commented that in Aleppo alone, there were more scholars of Tanach than were to be found anywhere else. The truth is the Mizrahi and Sephardic communities produced more Talmudic scholars than the Ashkenaz until the beginnings of the 17-18th centuries.
Your remarks are confused and erroneous. The rates of intermarriage for the Iranian community in this country are way below the ashkenazic, for the Syrians intermarriage is forbid by rabbinical fiat and is that rarest of occurences, and rates for all other Mizrahi and Sephardic groups are way, way below the estimated 50% Ashkenazic rate. Please get your facts straight. It is only since the Industrial revolution that the Ashkenazic dominance in the arts and sciences emerged. For the prior 1500 years it was the sephardic and Mizrahi communities in which all the renowned men of arts and science were to be found. Do your homework, chaver and acquire some sorely-needed knowledge on your own peoples' history.
"Ben, You are totally wrong on your dismissal of the Sephardic and Mizrahi communities and the renowned commentators they produced on the Tanach. One should at least have a basic knowledge of his own peoples' history before putting his statements in print. Rav Saadia Gaon himself commented that in Aleppo alone, there were more scholars of Tanach than were to be found anywhere else. The truth is the Mizrahi and Sephardic communities produced more Talmudic scholars than the Ashkenaz until the beginnings of the 17-18th centuries." Phil
I am overwhelmed by your knowledge of Judaica. That makes you what? A greater chochem or just an annoying nudnik?
Rav Saadia lived around the year 900 CE for crying out loud. Great talmudic scholar that he was much has changed in the world since then.
Besides, have you real all those wonderful Allepo scholars or are you just lising numbers as if learning were a quantitative affair rather than a qualitative one.
You would do better to follow the advice on Lashon HaRa by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan than use the great number of Mizrachi scholars to slander your fellow Jews.
All you have been doing here and at Jewcy is to post slanderous comments about people YOU don't consider Jewish.
genug, PHIL. Stop your malicious postings and go do something useful like reading the Chafetz Chayim.
Ben. You are a total BS artist. When I point out to you that your total dismissal of the Mizrahi and sephardic communities' Talmudic contributions is absurd your response is one of a spoiled. little child. So what if he lived in 900 AD? Does that make him less intelligent and knowledgeable? Here you are living in the 21st century and making stupid excuses for your stupid statements. Is Maimonides less of a scholar because he also lived before your 'acceptable' time frame? Enough of your immature and ill-formed concepts. The world of talmudic scholarship and commentary did not begin and end with the ashkenazi community. It began long before in the Sephardi and Mizrahi communities of Spain, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Try reading the Aleppo Index by the ben Ashers. On matters of reform conversion, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you align yourself with all matters Politically Correct and pushed by a Liberal-Left agenda as the reform movement is so aligned, then yes, you will find this a 'wonderful' event. In any event, before you start dismissing the Sephardi and Mizrahi communities and their enormous contributions to every aspect of Jewish knowledge, take the time to actually learn something. Unless you don't mind exposing yourself as a fool on a Public forum.
'All you have been doing here and at Jewcy is to post slanderous comments about people YOU don't consider Jewish.'
Sorry to disappoint you but I am not posting at Jewcy but I will plead guilty to use of Juicy-fruit. You are not only ill-informed but also paranoid.
Phil, let’s get the personal insults out of the way before I address your unsubstantiated nonsense.
You said in response to the following comment:
'All you have been doing here and at Jewcy is to post slanderous comments about people YOU don't consider Jewish.' Ben
“Sorry to disappoint you but I am not posting at Jewcy but I will plead guilty to use of Juicy-fruit. You are not only ill-informed but also paranoid.” Phill
Paranoid is a non Talmudic concept, Phil. Are you now embracing the world of non Judaic psychiatry? Who is the fraud then, you or me.
The guy posting anonymously on Jewcy holds the same views you do on conversion, intermarriage and other issues. If he ain’t you then he is your malicious and slanderous twin.
Now to your more pretentious and tendentious nonsense:
“Ben. You are a total BS artist.”
At least I know what I am talking about.
“When I point out to you that your total dismissal of the Mizrahi and sephardic communities' Talmudic contributions is absurd your response is one of a spoiled. little child.”
Stop foaming at the mouth, Phil (What kind of Jewish name is “Phil,” Phil?) take a deep breath and take the time to punctuate your screed like and adult.
I never dismissed the Mizhrachi community. (Mizrachi and Sphardi are distinct communities, Phil) It is you are dismissing all those people who embraced Judaism in the US without your approval. You are the one setting yourself up as a gate keeper, not me.
I merely said that all that learning you were pointing to in the Mizrachi community at Aleppo hadn’t done you much good. Your subsequent posts only confirm my point.
“So what if he lived in 900 AD? Does that make him less intelligent and knowledgeable?”
It doesn’t make the Gaon less intelligent, but it does make him less knowledgeable. Did he know the wisdom of Maimonides or Rosenzweig, or Soloveichik (not to mention, Newton, Einstein or the world of modern psychiatry, which you quoted when you used the term paranoid)?
“Here you are living in the 21st century and making stupid excuses for your stupid statements. Is Maimonides less of a scholar because he also lived before your 'acceptable' time frame?”
Maimonides was a great physician as well as Talmudic scholar and he was also an Aristotelian (he referred to Aristotle as “the philosopher.”) He didn’t hide from the knowledge of his day the way you are hiding from the knowledge of yours. I respect him precisely because he was a well rounded man.
“Enough of your immature and ill-formed concepts.”
More bigoted invective. Do you have anything enlightening to say?
“The world of talmudic scholarship and commentary did not begin and end with the ashkenazi community. It began long before in the Sephardi and Mizrahi communities of Spain, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Try reading the Aleppo Index by the ben Ashers.”
No one said it did. The world of Jewish learning had always been influenced by non Jewish sources. The old Rabbis weren’t afraid to deal with the world at large. The very term Sanhedrim is of Greek origin.
“On matters of reform conversion, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”
It’s not a question of opinion whether or not someone who joined say the conservative Jewish community is a Jew or not. He is a Jew. If you don’t want to recognize them as Jews, that is your problem not theirs.
“If you align yourself with all matters Politically Correct and pushed by a Liberal-Left agenda as the reform movement is so aligned, then yes, you will find this a 'wonderful' event.”
What crap, Phil. Using red flag terms like PC or “liberal left” doesn’t prove your point. I never said this was a “wonderful event.” It was wonderful for the people involved and I wish them welcome to out community, however fifty people embracing Judaism is hardly a notable event. More Jews than that leave our community driven out by “Jewish” bigots like you.
In any case there have been tens of thousands of Americans who have embraced Judaism with and without your permission. I expect that among some of them and their descendants a number of great Talmudic scholars will emerge. People who are comfortable both in the world of the Talmud and in the secular world of learning just as Maimonides was.
“In any event, before you start dismissing the Sephardi and Mizrahi communities and their enormous contributions to every aspect of Jewish knowledge, take the time to actually learn something.”
What an idiot you are, Phil! I have relatives who are Mizrahi. There is a great deal of intermarriage among these groups in Israel, btw. One of my Mizrahi nephews a first rate student and a proud Jew just got a scholarship to study German (yes German) philosophy in Berlin. So don’t tell me about your mythical Mizrahi communities. You don’t know what you are talking about.
“Unless you don't mind exposing yourself as a fool on a Public forum.”
No, I don’t mind being called a “fool” by the likes of you. It is an awesome source of merriment, fool.
To The Author of The Article: Good Job! *I'm curious what you think about the posts here to date. *I'm curious what our Cairo siblings think of these posts also. (If someone paper mailed it to them...if they're like most of my family.) ---Jumping and Running in My Genes :)
Ben, Give it up. You seem to have this erroneous idea that someone who fervently believes in the uniqueness of Jewish ethnicity must conform to your narrow perception of self-awareness and openness. I believe in everything and I believe in nothing. What passes muster is what works for me as I pass thru this life. Those who oppose mass conversions because they place a very high value on the benefits gained from marrying within the community or faith are neither 'bigots' or 'racists'. They only possess a much stronger self-identification as Jews and their desire to not incorporate gentile characteristics into their ranks is perfectly understandable and logical. The venom and hate which Liberals vent onto those holding such traditional views is but one more reminder that today's New Fascists are the Liberal Left.
“Ben, Give it up. You seem to have this erroneous idea that someone who fervently believes in the uniqueness of Jewish ethnicity must conform to your narrow perception of self-awareness and openness.” Phil
Where the hell did I say that, Phil.
You are one of these people who makes up both sides of the argument.
I said that Maimonides and other great rabbis didn’t hide from the secular knowledge the way you do.
I also said that all people who want to embrace Judaism (always a minority) should be welcomed.
The rest is mere hallucinatory ravings on your part.
btw: Judaism is not an exclusive Heder or University. It's a way of life which involved study, but Torah study is an end in itself.
The term leftist merely means, in your mouth, "people that Phil don't like."
“The venom and hate which Liberals vent onto those holding such traditional views is but one more reminder that today's New Fascists are the Liberal Left.”
I should add that no liberal I know, certainly not I, oppose traditional views. Those who want to pursue the kind of “Jewish” life that Phil espouses, good luck to them.
Let’s remember though that his traditional views would deny women the right to an education both Talmudic as well as secular and deny all students access to scientific knowledge. Who is the “new fascists,” then?
My point of view incorporates tradition but does not deny access to modern scientific education. Here my views accord more with those of a Maimonides than do those of Phil.
“To The Author of The Article: Good Job! *I'm curious what you think about the posts here to date. *I'm curious what our Cairo siblings think of these posts also. (If someone paper mailed it to them...if they're like most of my family.) ---Jumping and Running in My Genes :)” Sarah-Miryam
Leave all this gene happy talk to the Phils of this world, Sarah-Myriam.
Judaism is not a matter of genes. If it were many millions of former Jews would still be Jews. And it’s certainly not a matter of color as any traveler to Jerusalem will tell you.
I once knew a woman who embraced Judaism (Conservative Judaism in her case). One of her children has since become a Hassid. If Phil had his way we would have been denied his presence among us.
'Let’s remember though that his traditional views would deny women the right to an education both Talmudic as well as secular and deny all students access to scientific knowledge. Who is the “new fascists,” then?'
Where have I stated anything like that? How long have you had this reading comprehension problem and why are you engaging in forum debates with this handicap? And you accuse people of putting words in your mouth? Let me help you out in evolving into a more flexible person and not the fascist-in-training you currently are--One can be a traditionalist and a contemporary modernist in every sense of the word. There is no absolute morality on anything, every situation is unique and don't allow yourself to adopt stances on any issue because it gives you a false sense of moral superiority.
"There is no absolute morality on anything, every situation is unique and don't allow yourself to adopt stances on any issue because it gives you a false sense of moral superiority."
And yert you have been writing as if the Gaon had a monoply on truth.
You also oppose conversions of people to Judaism on the ground that it would dilute our "gene pool." In case anyone thinks that I am putting words into your quasi fascist mouth?
Here is what you said:
" Those who oppose mass conversions because they place a very high value on the benefits gained from marrying within the community or faith are neither 'bigots' or 'racists'. They only possess a much stronger self-identification as Jews and their desire to not incorporate gentile characteristics into their ranks is perfectly understandable and logical."
Once upon a time we were all gentiles, Phil. Or do you think that Abram was born Abraham. Go reread the Torah, Rabbi Phil.
For the record - a number of Conservative Rabbis and a Conservative Cantor took part in the actual conversion. All men went to an Orthodox Mohel!
Most Jews, I am sure, will welcome them with open arms.
I truly resent the implication of some comments that being part of the Reform movement somehow makes us less Jewish. The beauty of the Reform movement is that there's more openness to new members, as well as more acceptance of differing views & levels of observance.
Several years ago, while on a cruise, my husband & I invited a fellow traveler to sit at our table. She was apparently Orthodox Jewish, because the pleasantries had barely been said when she noticed I was drinking milk with a sandwich. "What kind of Jew are you, to be eating that?" she demanded. What business is it of hers, or yours, as to the degree of observance anyone has? We're all members of the tribes. Who is anyone to judge what being a "real Jew" is?
The idea of reforming Judaism is a total oxymoron. Judaism is a religion and way of life based on morals and values that G-d gave us. He formed us and our ideas and life practices are based on Him. when we change it according to the way we want we disregard Judaism entirely and make up a new religion no better than christianity or islam. Reform judaism??
A survey commissioned in 1972 by the Central Conference of American [Reform] Rabbis, reported that “Only one in ten [Reform] rabbis states that he believes in G-d ‘in the more or less traditional Jewish sense.’”[20] The remaining ninety-percent classified their faith with terms like: “Agnostic;” “Atheist;” “Bahai in spirit, Judaic in practice;” “Polydoxist;” “Religious Existentialist;” and “Theological Humanist.”[21] During the 1990 Central Conference of American [Reform] Rabbis’ debate on the ordination of professed homosexuals, an HUC professor reminded the committee that Leviticus 18 calls homosexual acts an abomination; but a member of the majority easily disposed of his objection, saying, “It’s pretty late in the day for scripture to be invoked in CCAR debates.”[22] The same year, about 25 percent of Reform leaders under age 40 had married gentiles.[23] By 1991, the overall intermarriage rate among Reform Jews had topped 60 percent.[24]
[20] Theodore I. Lenin and Associates, Rabbi and Synagogue in Reform Judaism, (West Harford: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1972), pp. 98-99. [21] Ibid. [22] Milton Himmelfarb, “What Do American Jews Believe” symposium, Commentary, August 1996, p. 35. [23] Elliot Abrams, Faith or Fear, (New York: Free Press, 1997), p. 108. [24] Egon Mayer, “Jewish Continuity in An Age of Intermarriage,” in Symposium on Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity, volume 1, Council of Jewish Federations General Assembly, Baltimore, MD, November 21, 1991.
Dave Reform Judaism is vibrant and appealing. It is larger and growing faster than the Orthodox or Conservative movements in the United States. Wake up and smell the wine.
Jennifer said:
"I truly resent the implication of some comments that being part of the Reform movement somehow makes us less Jewish. The beauty of the Reform movement is that there's more openness to new members, as well as more acceptance of differing views & levels of observance."
Jenn you are right to say that it's no one's business what you eat.
However, let me ask you if a Jew eats pork would you still think of him or her as a Jew?
I don't for one moment believe that Judaism begins or ends with culinary strictures, however, there is such a thing as tradition.
Personally, I wouldn't condemn you for mixing dairy and meat, (even though I don't do it---more out of habit than for other reasons) still you shouldn't be surprised that some Jews and not just Orthodox will feel offended by it.
If you value your freedom of choice in modes of living in general and foods in particular than why do you still want to be a Jew?
Every religion has its rules and practices and being a member of that community means following those practices.
Shimon said:
Dave Reform Judaism is vibrant and appealing. It is larger and growing faster than the Orthodox or Conservative movements in the United States. Wake up and smell the wine.
Wrong. Fastest growing segment, according to all surveys, are those who call themselves Unaffiliated. Among denominations, fastest growing is Chabad, which is attracting an increasing number of young Jews raised in Reform households who desire more traditional ritual than reform provides.
In my far-from-exhaustive study so far, I have found that we should be able to agree on certain things- all Jews should consider the Tanach as a guide to belief and especially moral action. The problem with Reform and Conservative is that the average Reform or Conservative Jew does not seem to think that study of the Tanach is that important for them personally. The problem with the average Orthodox Jew is that they are too judgemental of other Jews, and they must behave in an exemplary moral fashion since they often set themselves up as representative of the only valid form of Judaism, therefore they must be exemplary or otherwise other Jews or members of society in general will be strongly critical of them and rightly so, and other Jews will Not be inspired to become more traditional.
The grandfather of Reform was Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786). Although Mendelssohn never publicly rejected the Torah’s or the oral tradition’s Divine origin, perhaps portentously, four out of six of Mendelssohn’s surviving children converted to Christianity.[6] In a parallel event, one of Mendelssohn’s greatest students, David Friedlander (1765-1834), wrote to Pastor Teller, Counsellor of the Prussian Ministry of Religion, on behalf of himself and several other Jewish householders, offering to join the Lutheran Church. Only after Pastor Teller rejected Friedlander’s request for conversion did this student of Mendelssohn set himself to the task of reforming his own religion.[7]
What Mendelssohn hesitated to say publicly about Mesorah, Abraham Geiger (1810-1874), the most influential of Reform’s second generation, boldly proclaimed. In 1837, Geiger called the first Reform rabbinical conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, and declared: “The Talmud must go, the Bible, that collection of mostly so beautiful and exalted human books, as a divine work must also go.”[8] With this declaration, Reform became the first known group in more than 3,100 years of Jewish history to deny the Torah’s divine origin.[9] The Reform rejected the Mesorah.
Shortly after Geiger organized German Reform, his American counterpart, Isaac Mayer Wise (1819-1900) launched the movement in the New World. In an 1850 debate at the Charleston synagogue, he declared that he didn’t believe in a personal messiah or in bodily resurrection[10], both of which were pillars of the Jewish oral tradition.[11] In 1857, Wise published a new prayerbook which omitted the traditional prayers for a return to Zion, the rebuilding of the Temple, etc., paving the way for Reform’s official declaration of anti-Zionism in the Pittsburgh Platform of 1885.[12] Wise went on to found the Reform seminary, Hebrew Union College; and at their first graduation ceremony in 1883, Wise served “Little Neck Clams, Fillet de Boef, Salade de Shrimps, Grenouiles (frogs legs) a la Creme, and Ice Cream.”[13]
In mid-November, 1885, Dr. Kaufman Kohler convened the Pittsburgh conference of Reform leaders, hoping to formally establish official Reform positions on a range of subjects. Kohler attempted to set the conference’s tone and direction with statements like, “We consider their [the Holy scripture’s] composition, their arrangements and their entire contents as the work of men, betraying in their conceptions of the world shortcomings of their age;”[14] and “We must discard the idea as altogether foreign to us, that marriage with a Gentile is not legal.”[15] In his opening statement to the conference, Kohler told the assembly:
I do not for a moment hesitate to say it right here and in the face of the entire Jewish world that… circumcision is a barbarous cruelty which disfigures and disgraces our ancestral heirloom and our holy mission as priests among mankind. The rite is a national remnant of savage African life… Nor should children born of intermarriage be viewed any longer exclusively by the primitive national standard which determines the racial character of the child only by the blood of the mother… I can no longer accept the fanciful and twisted syllogisms of Talmudic law as binding for us… I think, if anywhere, here we ought to have the courage to emancipate ourselves from the thralldom of Rabbinical legality.[16]
With few modifications, the conference unanimously adopted Dr. Kohler’s proposed Pittsburg Platform. The Reform movement thus accepted “as binding only the moral laws” of Judaism, rejecting, “all such as not adapted to the views and habits of modern civilization.” The Platform swept away Jewish dietary laws because “they fail to impress the modern Jew.” Kohler was then selected to be President of the Hebrew Union College, and a year later he declared, “There is no justification whatsoever for… the most precious time of the student to be spent upon Halakhic discussions… [and] the inane discussions that fill so many pages of the Babylonian Gemarah.”[17] Under Kohler, the HUC preparatory department required no Talmud study, although students were asked to take courses in New Testament and Koran.[18] Kohler referred to Reform Jewry as “We who are no longer bound to the Shulhan Aruk.” [19] Within Reform circles, the Mesorah was then not only lost; it was anathema. [1] For example, see Pirkei Avot 1:1-2. [2] For example, see Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Brachot 5A, Shabbat 31A, Megillah 19B, and Gittin 60B [3] Maimonides’ Introduction to Seder Zeraim, [4] See Josephus, Antiquities XIII:7; Hyam Maccoby, Revolution in Judaea (New York: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1973), pp.55-74; Leon Nemoy, Karaite Anthology (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1952). [5] For example, see Rabbi D.Z. Hoffman, Die Erste Mischna (Berlin, 1882), p. 3, and H. Chaim Schimmel, The Oral Law (Jerusalem: Feldheim, 1987), pp. 19-35. [6] Alexander Altmann, Moses Mendelssohn: A Biographical Study (University of Alabama Press:1973), pp.4-5, 98. [7] David Rudavsky, Modern Jewish Religious Movements: A History of Emancipation and Adjustment (New York: Behrman House, Inc., 1967), pp. 156-7. [8] Michael A. Meyer, Response to Modernity: A History of the Reform Movement in Judaism (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988), p.91. [9] Even the Sadducees, Karaites, and Christians professed belief in the Torah’s Divine origin; they only rejected the Orthodox oral tradition. [10] David Rudavsky, Modern Jewish Religious Movements: A History of Emancipation and Adjustment (New York: Behrman House, Inc., 1967), p. 288. [11] Maimonides’ introduction to Perek Chelek (Tractate Sanhedrin), Foundations #12 and #13. [12] While the historical mainstream clung tightly to the dream of a return to Zion for 2,000 years of exile, the fifth item in the Pittsburgh Platform declares, “We consider ourselves no longer a nation, but a religious community, and therefore expect neither a return to Palestine nor the restoration of any of the laws concerning the Jewish state.” The movement softened its position in its 1937 Columbus Platform, but still feared offering enthusiastic encouragement to return from the Diaspora: “In all lands where our people live, they assume and seek to share loyally the full duties and responsibilities of citizenship… [yet] in the rehabilitation of Palestine we behold the promise of renewed life for many of our brethren.” In its 1976 San Francisco Platform, the Reform movement echoed this limited Zionism, “We encourage aliyah for those who wish to find maximum personal fulfillment in the cause of Zion,” immediately adding, “We demand that Reform Judaism be unconditionally legitimized in the State of Israel.” [13] See John J. Appel, “The Trefa Banquet,” Commentary, February 1966, pp.75-78. [14] Walter Jacob, ed., The Pittsburgh Platform in Retrospect: The Changing World of Reform Judaism, (Pittsburgh: Rodef Shalom Congregation Press, 1985), p.104. [15] Ibid., p. 112. [16] Ibid., p.101. [17] Jack Wertheimer, ed., Tradition Renewed: A History of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, volume 2, (New York: Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1997), p. 550. [18] Tradition Renewed, volume 2, p. 551. [19] Ibid., p. 550.
"The grandfather of Reform was Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786)."
That was then, this is now, Orthodox Jew.
Most of us know the history and don't appreciate being preached to.
What you have to explain is not why reform Jews leave the fold, though many also stay. (I have a hunch though that you wouldn't care for Reform Jewry even they all stayed within the fold. hence the fact that some leave Judaism should please you, no?)
Still, what you have to explain is why Orthodox Jews leave the fold.
Even in the midst of the worst assimilation in recorded Jewish history, today’s Orthodoxy produces the lowest intermarriage rate (2%) and boasts not only the highest birthrate and day-school enrollment rate, but also the largest adult enrollment in rabbinical seminaries (over 10,000). Worldwide, Chabad is also the fastest growing community. Among Reform, Conservative and the unaffiliated, assimilation continues at an ever increasing rate.
"Even in the midst of the worst assimilation in recorded Jewish history, today’s Orthodoxy produces the lowest intermarriage rate (2%) and boasts not only the highest birthrate and day-school enrollment rate, but also the largest adult enrollment in rabbinical seminaries (over 10,000). Worldwide, Chabad is also the fastest growing community. Among Reform, Conservative and the unaffiliated, assimilation continues at an ever increasing rate."
What you say is true, but besides the point.
I am not asking you where things stand TODAY. TODAY is a very temporary state of affairs.
What I am asking is why since once upon a not so long time ago we were all Orthodox did so many Jews leave the fold in the first.
In other words why was it necessary for Judaism to split up into Reforme and then Conservative as well as modern Orthodox in the first place?
Unless you can answer that question you can never be sure that it will not happen again.
Are you content to rely on societal repression of Jewry in order to keep Jewish people withing the fold. Is the ghetto wall the answer to keeping Judaism alive?
RL, it is reform who left orthodoxy not the the other way around. If you don't understand that you understand nothing. Secularized jews in Germany and America wished to appear more 'modern' so they disavowed most of what Orthodox judaism has always taught and created a watered-down version of judaism to accomodate those of like-mind.
Abe said: "RL, it is reform who left orthodoxy not the the other way around. If you don't understand that you understand nothing. Secularized jews in Germany and America wished to appear more 'modern' so they disavowed most of what Orthodox judaism has always taught and created a watered-down version of judaism to accomodate those of like-mind."
Purposefully or not you misunderstood my point, Abe.
The reform movement was originated by Jews who either were or grew up in Orthodox homes.
The question that begs to be answered is why did these individuals give up their Orthodoxy.
If, on the other hand, many other Orthodox Jews from Spinoza onward left Judaism without joining any reform movement isn't it possible that, whatever it is that drives some Orthodox Jews away from Judaism, some stayed Jews at least for a generation or two before their descendants, left the fold for good.
Do you Abe, as an Orthodox Jew, regard the presence of the Reform movement as an evil because its members don't stay Jews, or is it, in your mind, an evil in itself because it doesn't adhere to the Orthodox standard of what a Jew should be, namely someone who observes all the mitzvot?
It seems to me that the reform movement is a convenient red herring for some Orthodox who don't want to examine why Jews in the modern world don't stay Jews.
I don't think that Reform is at fault, I believe that modernity is at fault. By modernity I mean modern science, modern means of communication, modern social organization, etc.
For Jews to withdraw from modernity to a ghetto like existence would also be disastrous in the long run.
My conversion in 1973, at the age of 40, was through Chabad - a year after a divorce from my Jewish wife (my sons were Jewish, but I wasn't!).
Nonetheless, I would accept conversions by non-Orthodox authorities in cases where conversion was NOT for the sake of marriage - such conversions are always questionable.
I would also add, Abe, that the fact that the Reform movement is exploring ways of restoring some traditional Jewish principles to their religious practices tells me that movement is dynamic itself that it is able to adjust to new conditions and it also speaks well of its members who are people exposed to modern life and still yearn for many of the traditional values that Judaism offers them.
In other words, what some take as Reforms movement’s weakness, namely, the return to more traditional form of worship I see as its strength.
I wonder if Orthodox Judaims would be able to adjust to modern life with the same suppleness that Reform seems to be doing?
RL, the Reform turn to a more traditional siddur is a move they were forced to make because as many surveys have confirmed many younger members desired more meaningful ritual in their lives. So whereas the original secularized founders of Reform were rebelling against Orthodoxy, todays younger members of Reform are rebelling against the secularization of Reform. To fully assert themselves as Jews they require traditional liturgy and ritual. In other words Reform leadership jumped to the persistent and clear message before they were pushed.
As for your caricatures of Orthodoxy what your statement says reveals more about you than perhaps you realize. To remain within tradition poses no problems for those of faith. The list of Orthodox Jews who have succeeded in business, science and the arts is vast. Your opinion reflects your erroneous conclusion that tradition and modernity are mutually exclusive. Hopefully you may yet evolve to gain a clearer understanding.
Abe said: “As for your caricatures of Orthodoxy what your statement says reveals more about you than perhaps you realize.”
I did not “caricature” Orthodoxy.” However, if my statement “reveals” something about me to you, that’s good and well. Enjoy your precious clairvoyance.
In any case, your comment that,
“RL, the Reform turn to a more traditional siddur is a move they were forced to make because as many surveys have confirmed many younger members desired more meaningful ritual in their lives.”
Merely repeats what I said above. It also goes to show the Reform Judaism need not spell the doom of Judaism as many Orthodox people have argued here and elsewhere.
“So whereas the original secularized founders of Reform were rebelling against Orthodoxy, todays younger members of Reform are rebelling against the secularization of Reform.”
You forgot to mention that “the original secularized founders of Reform” where Orthodox Jews who rebelled against their Orthodoxy. Now, if the above be the case, then, don’t you think that tomorrow Orthodox could also rebel yet again against their Orthodoxy?
Are we talking about a cyclical phenomenon? Time will tell I guess.
“To fully assert themselves as Jews they require traditional liturgy and ritual. In other words Reform leadership jumped to the persistent and clear message before they were pushed.”
It’s my impression that the leadership went along willingly and in many cases led the charge.
“To remain within tradition poses no problems for those of faith.”
I never said it did in all cases.
“The list of Orthodox Jews who have succeeded in business, science and the arts is vast.”
I know as it includes many in my own family. However, the list of Orthodox who over the years left the fold is even vaster. You still refuse to address that issue.
“Your opinion reflects your erroneous conclusion that tradition and modernity are mutually exclusive.”
It is not an “erroneous conclusion” as many religious people of all faiths have come to the same conclusion and turned against religion altogether.
“Hopefully you may yet evolve to gain a clearer understanding.”
Hopefully you will yet evolve to deal with the real issues and not invent whole cloth a straw man to attack.
I am truly feel sorry for these misled people, because Reform is not Judaism, and conversions are not valid. They could never marry a jew, otherwise would have to go through an Orthodox conversion.
Ben did any of them say they wanted to marry you? I don't think so. I feel sorry for the person who does marry you.
I am truly feel sorry for these misled people, because Reform is not Judaism, and conversions are not valid. They could never marry a jew, otherwise would have to go through an Orthodox conversion.
Ben did any of them say they wanted to marry you? I don't think so. I feel sorry for the person who does marry you.
I have read all of the above posts and, frankly, I’m exhausted by the whole exchange. Let me be upfront; I am a Reform Jew. And having said that, let me also point out my sadness that the misconceptions of some “orthodox” Jews prevents them from at least understanding my relationship with G-d. Not that I need their understanding, but it would have been nice. I don’t, however, care that they wouldn’t consider me Jewish. It is an issue of their ignorance, in a non-pejorative sense, of my belief and practice. They don’t realize that my tefillin and tallis are as important to me as they are to them. They don’t realize that my weekly and daily study of the Tanakh and Talmud are as integral to my life as their study is to them. They seem to be unable to appreciate that my interpretation of same is different in some regards and the same in some regards as the interpretations of the sages of blessed memory. They cannot know that holding the Torah scrolls on Yom Kippur brought me to tears of joy, tears of closeness to G-d. They won’t believe that my spirituality and my faith run just as deep as theirs because I don’t speak as much Hebrew during Shacharit, Minchah, or Ma’ariv as they do. I do not care which segment of Judaism is the fastest-growing. That does not affect my Shabbat observance or the reasons I keep kosher in the slightest. I do care, to some degree, that they cannot see or grasp my sincerity. If they could, then possibly they would change their tone; then again, probably not. It appears to me that they are so concerned with “orthopraxis,” that is, concerned with the correctness of outward behavior or “correct practice” that they are unable to appreciate that “orthodoxy” or “right belief” can manifest itself differently than adherence to obscure rules of kashrut, peyos, or the however well-considered following of the dictates of a certain rabbi that still leaves them blinkered and blindered. I, along with my Reform brethren, believe in one G-d, the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people, the centrality of Torah to the Jewish people, the importance of the study of Torah, and that we are called to be holy through observance of mitzvot, and that these mitzvot are given to us through Torah. Selah. I have prayed for them as I have prayed for all Jews, and I will continue to do so. If they do not consider me a Jew, then I am content to let that stone hang around their necks.
Well said, Phillip Hatton.
To me you are a better Jew than most of the "ultra-Orthodox" know nothings posting here.
I have read all of the above posts and, frankly, I’m exhausted by the whole exchange. Let me be upfront; I am a Reform Jew. And having said that, let me also point out my sadness that the misconceptions of some “orthodox” Jews prevents them from at least understanding my relationship with G-d. Not that I need their understanding, but it would have been nice. I don’t, however, care that they wouldn’t consider me Jewish. It is an issue of their ignorance, in a non-pejorative sense, of my belief and practice. They don’t realize that my tefillin and tallis are as important to me as they are to them. They don’t realize that my weekly and daily study of the Tanakh and Talmud are as integral to my life as their study is to them. They seem to be unable to appreciate that my interpretation of same is different in some regards and the same in some regards as the interpretations of the sages of blessed memory. They cannot know that holding the Torah scrolls on Yom Kippur brought me to tears of joy, tears of closeness to G-d. They won’t believe that my spirituality and my faith run just as deep as theirs because I don’t speak as much Hebrew during Shacharit, Minchah, or Ma’ariv as they do. I do not care which segment of Judaism is the fastest-growing. That does not affect my Shabbat observance or the reasons I keep kosher in the slightest. I do care, to some degree, that they cannot see or grasp my sincerity. If they could, then possibly they would change their tone; then again, probably not. It appears to me that they are so concerned with “orthopraxis,” that is, concerned with the correctness of outward behavior or “correct practice” that they are unable to appreciate that “orthodoxy” or “right belief” can manifest itself differently than adherence to obscure rules of kashrut, peyos, or the however well-considered following of the dictates of a certain rabbi that still leaves them blinkered and blindered. I, along with my Reform brethren, believe in one G-d, the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people, the centrality of Torah to the Jewish people, the importance of the study of Torah, and that we are called to be holy through observance of mitzvot, and that these mitzvot are given to us through Torah. Selah. I have prayed for them as I have prayed for all Jews, and I will continue to do so. If they do not consider me a Jew, then I am content to let that stone hang around their necks.
Phillip Hatton why did you find it necessary to post your comments twice?
Your action diminshes the force of your words.
Isn't converting to reform Judaism like becoming a conoisseur of non-alcoholic wine?