I was brought up in what I continue to see as a very accepting community and movement (though the extent and to which end of the spectrum this movement is currently accepting is debatable). Growing up, my congregation provided me with role models, a religious education, and perhaps most importantly a community of peers in which I had the opportunity to be both a participant and leader. My experiences in NFTY and the greater Reform community have been the largest factor in determining the person I am today. Throughout my involvement I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to shape my beliefs, views and practices around what makes sense to me.

I’ve been having a lot of internal debates lately, as well as quite a few discussions with friends and mentors about the status of my Judaism. Let’s consider this entry a testimonial to the Jew I am and the consequential beliefs that I hold. This is my manifesto.

• I believe, with enormous conviction, in the pillars of Reform Judaism – though I take issue with quite a few of them. Overall, though, I consider most important the belief that a movement should never turn members away because they are lacking in knowledge or experience. All Jews need to feel comfortable within the walls of our Congregations.
• I think living a lifestyle which is intertwined with aspects of Halakha works. I appreciate the sense of Tradition I get when obeying mitzvot, and hence that is an integral part of my “daily Judaism.” However, I recognize that this is not true of all Jews. Not every person is going to have the same outlook, observance pattern, or Jewish routine, and this is fine. A Jews identity should be comprised of aspects which work for that person. I believe that this concept is the finite line between Reform Jews and those of other denominations.
• That being said, I am consistently upset and worried about those Jews who wear the label of Reform, but do not take upon themselves the obligation (as Jews we are indeed obligated) to learn: about our religion and about themselves as Jews. Growing up in NFTY taught me the concept of Choice Through Knowledge: that upon receiving information about our religion, I have the ability to take that information upon myself and decide how it will play into my Jewish identity. My fear comes from those within our community who would opt not to learn, not to understand the basic tenants of Judaism.
• I struggle with accepting the aforementioned group into my concept of who and what a Jewish person looks like. I worry that their indifference and lack of education gives educated Reform Jews a bad name. However, few things are more central to my list of Jewish values than inclusion: if these Jews are not accepted in the Reform community, where will they be accepted? Chabad? Another Religion? Yes, we must take these Jews in with open arms, but we must also continue to emphasize the role of education.
• I accept that the Jewish population is beginning to diminish. There are charts and studies which tell us this! Studies which inform that our birth rates – outside of the Orthodox community – are low enough to instigate worry. Meanwhile, the Jewish population is experiencing the greatest diversity it has ever seen, and the vast majority of this diversity is finding its way into the Reform movement. The emphasis and investment that the Boomer Generation – and now their children – are putting into their jobs are leading to higher infertility and adoption rates. In other words, it is utterly impossible to draw a picture of the typical Jewish family. Such a model no longer exists. The URJ has a department whose sole purpose is to “[develop] programs for congregations that respond to the changes emerging in the contemporary Jewish family.” I believe that the work of this department and others like it are vital in figuring out how to sustain our community.

These are a few of my thoughts and feelings. It’s nice to state – in whatever form – ones beliefs: it makes them that much more concrete. I guess thats why I have a blog!

On a completely different note, I have been asked on several different occasions about my header – the picture and the tagline. To fill you in: MOT stands for member of the Tribe (of Abraham), and though the picture depicts what I must assume is an orthodox man, it does not depict me. I am, indeed, trying to figure out which metaphorical hat fits, each hat perhaps being aspects of Judaism. Which hat do you wear?