Ways a Jew Can Be Religious?

[SearchingForGod]

I've always been a God loving woman by nature and so this question has been pushing itself into my head. If I convert to Judaism, I'd be a Reform Jew, but even still I would want to be as religious as I could possibly be (living with those of strictly another faith, that is).

So how do you think a Jew could be incredibly religious?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched with MLK at Selma. Afterwords he said: "I felt my feet were praying."

 

[rosends]

Should this be moved to the sub-DIR for Reform?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Should this be moved to the sub-DIR for Reform?

I personally think that the perspective of non-Reform Jews would be valuable.

 

[SearchingForGod]

You ever see the movie Yentl ?

I honestly have not, and after looking at the description, I'm not sure how this relates?

 

[Tarheeler]

I've always been a God loving woman by nature and so this question has been pushing itself into my head. If I convert to Judaism, I'd be a Reform Jew, but even still I would want to be as religious as I could possibly be (living with those of strictly another faith, that is).

So how do you think a Jew could be incredibly religious?

Outwardly, attending service, observing Shabbat, Torah study, and keeping kosher.
Internally, living a Jewish life, giving tzedakah, and always learning.

The Reform movement takes a different approach to Jewish law than the Orthodox and Conservative movements, so what all of things actually entail can vary greatly.
I've only been to a couple of Reform services, and I was one of the few men in a kippah and the only one wearing a tallit.

 

[Shem Ben Noah]

...
I've only been to a couple of Reform services, and I was one of the few men in a kippah and the only one wearing a tallit.

Each Reform temple is unique, depending much on the congregation. Many are moving to a more traditional observance. Some are very liberal and casual, others are very close to Conservative. The last one where I was a member, all the regulars wore a kippah.

 

[metis]

So how do you think a Jew could be incredibly religious?

To me, what's most important is if we deal with others in a compassionate and just manner. Most of the rest, imo, deals with ways we can get there.

 

[RabbiO]

I've only been to a couple of Reform services, and I was one of the few men in a kippah and the only one wearing a tallit.

Forty years ago when my first cousin - once removed- became bat mitzvah, we went to services at the Reform congregation where she was called to the Torah. It being a Reform congregation I brought a kippah, but left my tallit at home. Thankfully, there were many tallitot available to wear because if one was a Jewish male the congregation expected that one wear both tallit and kippah.

Four and a half years ago I happened to be in Rhode Island to see my mom in a nursing home. I attended Shabbat services - kippah and tallit with me- at a Reform congregation nearby. Every man wore a kippah and tallit. The service was, with the exception of two responsive readings, entirely in Hebrew. There was no musical instruments and the nusach was traditional. Yes, it was a Reform service using the Reform SIddur, Mishkan T'filah, so, for example, there was no musaf service.

Even within the Conservative movement you can find that kind of diversity.

 

[Tarheeler]

Forty years ago when my first cousin - once removed- became bat mitzvah, we went to services at the Reform congregation where she was called to the Torah. It being a Reform congregation I brought a kippah, but left my tallit at home. Thankfully, there were many tallitot available to wear because if one was a Jewish male the congregation expected that one wear both tallit and kippah.

Four and a half years ago I happened to be in Rhode Island to see my mom in a nursing home. I attended Shabbat services - kippah and tallit with me- at a Reform congregation nearby. Every man wore a kippah and tallit. The service was, with the exception of two responsive readings, entirely in Hebrew. There was no musical instruments and the nusach was traditional. Yes, it was a Reform service using the Reform SIddur, Mishkan T'filah, so, for example, there was no musaf service.

Even within the Conservative movement you can find that kind of diversity.

Each Reform temple is unique, depending much on the congregation. Many are moving to a more traditional observance. Some are very liberal and casual, others are very close to Conservative. The last one where I was a member, all the regulars wore a kippah.

I'm glad to hear my experience isn't the only way it is being done.

 

[Tumah]

Forty years ago when my first cousin - once removed-

But now - reinstated-?

 

[RabbiO]

But now - reinstated-?

Yeah, but now I've been removed.

Shabbat shalom.