An Optimistic Follow-Up On Progressiveness
Judaism, Jewish culture, Jewish Community, Jewish Video, Living Jewishly, Online Media, Reform, Jewish Spirituality April 15th, 2007This is just a quick follow-up to my earlier post today on what I see as the positive inroads currently being made by Progressive Judaism around the world. Actually I won’t lie it’s also something of a reply to Mottel’s comment on my last post.
The following is an interesting short video interview of an American visiting Poland’s Jewish community (presumably sometime in the last year or so). I’m not sure but I believe the person being interviewed is Rabbi Neil Katz a Reform rabbi from Texas.
It’s an interesting video and although it’s far from anything definitive in terms of Jewish revival in Poland, the rabbi does indeed paint an optimistic and promising picture of what’s taking place over there. All of which is just more fuel for my recent sense of optimism
Anyhow enjoy.
Technorati tags: Progressive Judaism, Reform Judaism, Liberal Judaism in Poland, Rabbi Neil Katz
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April 17th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Hey TG- While I certaily agree that Judaism needs to engage modernity- its important to not throw the t’fillin out with the bathwater ya know? Certainly Chabad has its issues and as I’ve looked back over the last several of your posts I see that you’re really struggling with the issue of authentic Judaism. A truly engaged Reform Jew is just as Jewish as anyone else, but the issue comes down for me as one of connecting with Jewish community and Jewish life- if Reform is doing that in Poland or anywhere else, then great. I hope that you and Tam can work on these issues and maybe find a middle ground where tradition and modernity can co-exist.
April 17th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Hi amishav
Although I suppose the term struggling is accurate it’s not one I’m fond of, after all who wants to be thought of the struggling. But I suppose it is an appropriate descriptor. For me the idea is to maintain tradition within modernity but not at the expense of equality, social justice and spiritual/moral ethics.
April 17th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
OK, this might come off bitchy but I feel like Amishav feels like TikkunGer and I have some big religious issue we’re rastling with. Just so you know Amishav, because you have mentioned it in comments to both my posts and TGs, there are no real issues.
Perhaps you thought I was far more observant than I actually am. Many people have told me they thought I was sort of frum-like. But really I’m not. Sure, I wear skirts often because I like them, but I wear pants freely. Sure I keep a kosher home, but I’m not super stressed if I eat out or at someone’s home. I make sure to have something to do on Friday nights and I try to light candles and such, but I rarely go to shul. And I do drive on Shabbos and all sorts of other non frum stuff, like using my computer. Though I don’t do banking on Shabbos.
So, just in case there was confusion. TG and I bringing our lives together religiously won’t be incredibly challenging. I do appreciate the concern but I don’t want you to be mislead either. We are actually quite similar and even when we don’t think we are, I think we are both open minded to different streams.
That’s it
April 18th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Well, I certainly didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes here. I’m glad that there won’t be many challenges for you and I wish the two of you nothing but the best. I’m happy everything is going so well.