entrepreneurial rabbi

I went to an Conservative introduction to Judaism group last night. I was curious about my earlier prediction that Conservative and Reform converts would be indistinguishable. I also went because the Rabbi seems the most active in trying to encourage Judaism. A major problem that I have liberal Judaism is that its strategy for survival is just to hope enough Orthodox kids don't want to endure the excesses of that faith and switch to liberal Judaism as a compromise. The blithe acceptance of declining membership in liberal synagogues bothers me. The entrepreneurial rabbi that lead the group last night seems to me to be an exception. He seems to truly want to encourage greater Jewish participation. He is Conservative and the language issue looms greater in that mostly English services seem out of the question. I hope for the success of his attitude in convincing others.

In terms of my original question about the difference between Conservative and Reform congregants, though I the sample size was small for the Conservatives, five, I think it more or less bears out my prediction. A romantic partner of the faith is why people convert. I asked the rabbi if he thought many people could explain the difference between Conservative and Reform and he thought not.

Conservative versus Reform

I wonder how many Conservative and Reform Jews could tell you the differences between Conservative and Reform Judaism, besides the Conservative are a little more serious about the Mitzvot. I wonder if there is any observable differences between Conservative and Reform converts. And just to make it easier to observe differences, restrict the converts to those converts who are converting not due to their romantic partner. I suspect that the decision to convert to Judaism overwhelms the small details between the two groups. If I converted Conservative, I still wouldn't spend the time kosherizing my kitchen. I would convert Conservative because I like the full reading of the Torah at the service. As it is, the Reform synagogue is closer and that's why I choose Reform. I'm not being glib in the last sentence. I do think a synagogue in walking distance is an acceptable reason to choose one over the other.

Also, the Reform makes more sense about the Holidays. But, gosh, that is such an insignificant detail.

modern circumcision

Judaism may have lost the religious battle of Antiquity because circumcision is too much to ask of most people. Now, Modern Judaism wants you to learn Hebrew to become a Jew. This is also too much for most people. There should be an all vernacular branch of Judaism for the less motivated. Quality control can be taken too far.

The Difference Between Christianity and Judaism

Jews obsess over Shabbat, and Christian obsess over Hell. One of these obsessions is healthy andt the other is mentally and spiritually ill.