I suppose if my conversion was five years ago, instead of two months ago–I would be able to laugh at this. But I can’t and I love Shabot 6000. The Reform Movement takes conversion very seriously and Reform Jews by Choice take their judaism very seriously.
I studied with a rabbi for a year, taught myself to sound out hebrew, read about thirty books on judaism, was a part of every holiday, went to (and still go to) services every shabbat, and in the end met with a beit din and went to mikvah.
I’ve made a very serious commitment to the Jewish people and to the religion, as have the other Reform Jews I know. It isn’t Jewish light or a weak tea of Judaism.
ugh.
I’ll step away from the computer now.
thanks leah for sticking up for us reformim. i think it’s way better for a person to get a reform conversion than to say “well i’ll get an ortho one just in case but lie about promising to raise my kids orthodox.” there are many brilliant reform rabbis out there -men and women- who convert spritual, dedicated people every day. i think shabot is just expressing the same frustration that many who go through ortho conversions feel — that they are being asked to do way more than they were bargaining for when they signed up. a reform conversion may have less stringencies, but for what many people are looking for, it’s more honest; and a perfect fit.
I grew up in the Reform movement from the time I was born, and the first time I remember learning something significant about Judaism was when I was probably 16 or 17, at the same time that I was first exposed to other streams of Judaism. I know two people personally who didn’t convert Orthodox, and weren’t satisfied and either have converted again or are currently in the process of a kosher conversion. I think that’s important because out of the hundreds of Jews I know, I know a total of four converts. Just today I found a posting on NewReformJew.org about how Reform congregations are taking tips from Christians on how to keep people engaged. Give me a break. There is something to be said for the shortcomings of the Reform movement (although it’s not the only movement to have shortcomings).
But I did want to point out that recently people were dissing on Mobius for always calling out Orthodoxy for their shortcomings. Well, here Ben Baruch offers up a different point of view, and all I see here are disses. Can’t win ’em all!
*sigh* On the one hand, I really appreciate the irony of Mobius banging on ad infinitum about ‘exposing’ hypocrisy within the Orthodox world and then this cartoon gets posted having a go at the Reform movement. On the other hand, I’m tired of having to identify myself as a Masorti Jew (which I am here in the UK) when what I really desire is for all of our collective movements to get over themselves and encourage us to identify with what we are which is of most importance….JEWS. How the bloody hell can we expect the rest of the world to respect our unity as a people when we constanly highlight the schisms ourselves?
I can appreciate the humour in the cartoon, but it is divisive and deeply intellectually dishonest for Jewschool to highlight hypocrisy within any movement (chiefly Orthodoxy in the majority of cases) and then post this rubbish.
FYI G-squad, the article which newreformjew.org is linking to about taking tips from Christians was referring to the recent Synagogue 3000 conference which included rabbis of all denominations “taking tips from Christians.” Check out the list of leaders in their leadership network.
Also, now that that’s being said, what’s so horrible about taking tips from Christians? Judaism has been taking the best (and sometimes not best) from other religions since even before Abraham. From the sacrificial system and priests to neo-platonism becoming kabbalah to summer camps, we Jews just can’t take credit for every little thing that we do well. I applaud Syangogue 3000 for consulting with another religious organization that is sucessful and look forward to see what will come of their project.
Finally, Matityahu – thanks for reminding us of what’s really important. I believe we need to sustain ALL types of Jews in order to keep the Jewish people alive, and that includes secular atheists and right-wing haredi. We should also try our best to continue these conversations here and in our lives. If a cartoon or other piece of art sparks these important conversations, I’m all for it – better at least it happen here than somewhere people are afraid to talk about it.
The ‘toon has a chassid.
The chassid sees the world in a certain way.
And this IS something a chassid might say if asked about Reform conversion.
Perhaps Mob can create a gallery of ‘toons, each one representing one of the movement.s
Reform Judaism is not the same Judaism that has been practiced over the last 3,000 years, even using the most basic of definitions. Sure, Judaism has changed over the years but certain tenets of faith have remained the same, which Reform Judaism has rejected. Reform Judaism should not be called “Judaism” or refer to itself as Judaism. Possibly it should be renamed to something like “Ethical Humanism, with a Jewish cultural theme.” Nothing to be ashamed of, it would still be a noble religion with many great people, it just should not be called “Judaism.”
At least they won’t kiss the boo-boo on your little robotic penis after your circumcision. TRADITION! Tradition!!
Deee deee deee deeee de TRADITION!
Maybe if we didn’t fight so much among ourselves……
I suppose if my conversion was five years ago, instead of two months ago–I would be able to laugh at this. But I can’t and I love Shabot 6000. The Reform Movement takes conversion very seriously and Reform Jews by Choice take their judaism very seriously.
I studied with a rabbi for a year, taught myself to sound out hebrew, read about thirty books on judaism, was a part of every holiday, went to (and still go to) services every shabbat, and in the end met with a beit din and went to mikvah.
I’ve made a very serious commitment to the Jewish people and to the religion, as have the other Reform Jews I know. It isn’t Jewish light or a weak tea of Judaism.
ugh.
I’ll step away from the computer now.
thanks leah for sticking up for us reformim. i think it’s way better for a person to get a reform conversion than to say “well i’ll get an ortho one just in case but lie about promising to raise my kids orthodox.” there are many brilliant reform rabbis out there -men and women- who convert spritual, dedicated people every day. i think shabot is just expressing the same frustration that many who go through ortho conversions feel — that they are being asked to do way more than they were bargaining for when they signed up. a reform conversion may have less stringencies, but for what many people are looking for, it’s more honest; and a perfect fit.
I grew up in the Reform movement from the time I was born, and the first time I remember learning something significant about Judaism was when I was probably 16 or 17, at the same time that I was first exposed to other streams of Judaism. I know two people personally who didn’t convert Orthodox, and weren’t satisfied and either have converted again or are currently in the process of a kosher conversion. I think that’s important because out of the hundreds of Jews I know, I know a total of four converts. Just today I found a posting on NewReformJew.org about how Reform congregations are taking tips from Christians on how to keep people engaged. Give me a break. There is something to be said for the shortcomings of the Reform movement (although it’s not the only movement to have shortcomings).
But I did want to point out that recently people were dissing on Mobius for always calling out Orthodoxy for their shortcomings. Well, here Ben Baruch offers up a different point of view, and all I see here are disses. Can’t win ’em all!
*sigh* On the one hand, I really appreciate the irony of Mobius banging on ad infinitum about ‘exposing’ hypocrisy within the Orthodox world and then this cartoon gets posted having a go at the Reform movement. On the other hand, I’m tired of having to identify myself as a Masorti Jew (which I am here in the UK) when what I really desire is for all of our collective movements to get over themselves and encourage us to identify with what we are which is of most importance….JEWS. How the bloody hell can we expect the rest of the world to respect our unity as a people when we constanly highlight the schisms ourselves?
I can appreciate the humour in the cartoon, but it is divisive and deeply intellectually dishonest for Jewschool to highlight hypocrisy within any movement (chiefly Orthodoxy in the majority of cases) and then post this rubbish.
FYI G-squad, the article which newreformjew.org is linking to about taking tips from Christians was referring to the recent Synagogue 3000 conference which included rabbis of all denominations “taking tips from Christians.” Check out the list of leaders in their leadership network.
Also, now that that’s being said, what’s so horrible about taking tips from Christians? Judaism has been taking the best (and sometimes not best) from other religions since even before Abraham. From the sacrificial system and priests to neo-platonism becoming kabbalah to summer camps, we Jews just can’t take credit for every little thing that we do well. I applaud Syangogue 3000 for consulting with another religious organization that is sucessful and look forward to see what will come of their project.
Finally, Matityahu – thanks for reminding us of what’s really important. I believe we need to sustain ALL types of Jews in order to keep the Jewish people alive, and that includes secular atheists and right-wing haredi. We should also try our best to continue these conversations here and in our lives. If a cartoon or other piece of art sparks these important conversations, I’m all for it – better at least it happen here than somewhere people are afraid to talk about it.
The ‘toon has a chassid.
The chassid sees the world in a certain way.
And this IS something a chassid might say if asked about Reform conversion.
Perhaps Mob can create a gallery of ‘toons, each one representing one of the movement.s
Reform Judaism is not the same Judaism that has been practiced over the last 3,000 years, even using the most basic of definitions. Sure, Judaism has changed over the years but certain tenets of faith have remained the same, which Reform Judaism has rejected. Reform Judaism should not be called “Judaism” or refer to itself as Judaism. Possibly it should be renamed to something like “Ethical Humanism, with a Jewish cultural theme.” Nothing to be ashamed of, it would still be a noble religion with many great people, it just should not be called “Judaism.”