No, I've never been there. I've heard him talk a couple of times after first going out to dinner with him and the local rabbi. I belonged to an SHJ-affiliated synagogue at the time and it was a real shock when we heard of his death.
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Jewish and Unitarian Universalist?
- Thread starter StarryNightshade
- Start date
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Ya, same here, and it was Peter (RabbiO) that told me about it because I had been at my place in the U.P. whereas news from the L.P. tends to arrive very slowly.
Two things.
1.) While I do have friends and acquaintances at the UU church, they are not the reason I would want to continue my affiliation. The reason is because I view Unitarian Universalism more as a pluralistic religious community with an angle for social justice. One that anyone, regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof, can be a part of. Rather than a "religion" (even though it is considered as such).
2.) I'm not officially converting to Judaism; only studying it. Although the advice to remain a UU who benefits from Jewish studies might be the path I ultimately choose.
I trust that you'll tell the Rabbi that you're only studying it.
I'll tell him of my interest and we'll go from there. Like many people (Jewish and non-Jewish) say, Judaism is far more than a religion. And not everyone who tries to adopt it fully in their lives are able go through with it.
Perhaps using the word "only" doesn't fully convey how much I'm interested in studying the philosophies, mysticism, scriptures, etc., that comes with Judaism. And, if I feel that deep spiritual connection, perhaps conversion is the way for me to go. I don't want to fully jump into something without testing the waters first.
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I understand, but you evince no interest in trying to "adopt it." Do you know what type of Rabbi you intend to approach?
I don't envince any interest? How so?
And more than likely the Reform Rabbi. However, I also find the Conservative movement to be quite respectable in many ways. So that is another possibility.
Yet you reference Spinoza and Kaplan.
I like the Conservative movement in terms of how it preserves traditions, while at the same time evolving with the modern world. Judaism encourages (from what I understand from speaking with Jews of various movements) individuals to think, seek and, in some cases, doubt. Just because I don't believe in a personal God, doesn't mean I can't be a part of a great tradition with deep, diverse beliefs. As you know, the Conservative movement was also the basis for Reconstructionist Judaism; and I find inspiration from the writings of Kaplan.
Like with any religion, even those with beliefs in personal Gods, if you put 5 people in a room, you will probably get 9 answers to any question. I wouldn't think a believe in a Pantheistic God would be that big of a deterrent.
But, this is a DIR, and I don't want to be disrespectful. That was never my intention.
You've been exemplary. L'shalom ...
L'shalom to you as well.
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
I would be interested in hearing more of your thoughts about Kaplan and Spinoza. You probably noticed there is a Reconstructionist sub-forum, which gets little use.
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Maybe I should look into it as well since my wife says that I need some reconstruction, although I told her that it's rather late in my life to switch shuls? I can't figger out why she rolled her eyes?
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Yeah, except I am not sure we can let a Renewal Jew into a Reconstructionst sub-forum with some major reform 
.
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metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Yeah, except I am not sure we can let a Renewal Jew into a Reconstructionst sub-forum with some major reform
Huh? This is far too complicated for me to wrap my head around.
Shabbat shalom to you and all here.
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Oops, I meant to say:
Yeah, except I am not sure we can let a Renewal Jew into a Reconstructionst sub-forum ....without .....some major reform.
Shabbat Shalom.