So much to say...
And no time to say it...
I spent two days at Hillel's Shusterman International Center, in a consultation with about 12 other people who are seriously involved in the issue of interfaith families.
It was pretty intense. Orthodox rabbis and Hillel donors and me. It was pretty intense... and amazing.
For two days we argued and explained and considered and cajoled in true Jewish form. Because this is a crossroads for the Jewish community, something we/they are being forced to face. Like Zionism. Like the Reform movement. Like the destruction of the Temple. This is something that threatens to change, reform, recreate Judaism as it understands itself.
The numbers are in... and numbers are powerful.
The hardest moment for me was when I realized something, as a Jew, an interfaithfull-of-it gal, and a Hillel worker. There were two issues at the table.
1. Saving Judaism (as it exists currently).
2. Serving an unserved population.
These issues are not mutually exclusive at all, but there was a moment when I realized that I'm not working on issue 1.... I'm all about issue 2. Because I have faith in Judaism. I don't need to save Judaism. I'm pretty sure Judaism will be okay, considering the odds we've had for 6000 years... and where we've ended up. I think G-d is taking care of issue number 1.
This was not the end of the conversation... not a time to make decisions. This was the beginning, and I'm proud of Hillel for not being afraid to initiate the dialogue.
I'm honored to be a part of it. I wish you caould have been there.
I spent two days at Hillel's Shusterman International Center, in a consultation with about 12 other people who are seriously involved in the issue of interfaith families.
It was pretty intense. Orthodox rabbis and Hillel donors and me. It was pretty intense... and amazing.
For two days we argued and explained and considered and cajoled in true Jewish form. Because this is a crossroads for the Jewish community, something we/they are being forced to face. Like Zionism. Like the Reform movement. Like the destruction of the Temple. This is something that threatens to change, reform, recreate Judaism as it understands itself.
The numbers are in... and numbers are powerful.
The hardest moment for me was when I realized something, as a Jew, an interfaithfull-of-it gal, and a Hillel worker. There were two issues at the table.
1. Saving Judaism (as it exists currently).
2. Serving an unserved population.
These issues are not mutually exclusive at all, but there was a moment when I realized that I'm not working on issue 1.... I'm all about issue 2. Because I have faith in Judaism. I don't need to save Judaism. I'm pretty sure Judaism will be okay, considering the odds we've had for 6000 years... and where we've ended up. I think G-d is taking care of issue number 1.
This was not the end of the conversation... not a time to make decisions. This was the beginning, and I'm proud of Hillel for not being afraid to initiate the dialogue.
I'm honored to be a part of it. I wish you caould have been there.
1 Comments:
Hi Laurel:
Sounds like a wonderful challenging conference. I, too, feel the need to serve an underserved population, which is why I have chosen to work in a community clinic. I couldn't imagine being a "botique doctor" for the rich (gag me with a spoon!). I hope you find your place, your calling.
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