Kosher Evangelism & Who is a Jew?
Over the last few days Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg (whom I’ve dubbed the YouTube Rabbi) has uploaded a couple of interesting videos, which I found to be rather relevant to this blog. The first Video looks at the issue of Evangelism in Judaism and whether it is appropriate or not for Jews to actively seek converts to our faith.
I think that the rabbi is right on throughout most of this video. Especially when it comes to ” Shtetl” mentality and how that plays in to attitudes towards converts as well as general engagement with the broader society. I also agree that there is a huge distinction to be made between Jewish evangelism and the more Christian or Islamic forms. There is indeed a huge difference between saying something like ” Hey if you are prepared to meet the requirements of conversion and want to join us as a people. You are more than welcome to”, and going door-to-door spreading the good message that ” If you want salvation you must accept Christ and by the way not doing so ensures your damnation”.
One of my favorite things about Judaism and being a Jew is the lack of an evangelical burden. I like the fact that we collectively as Jews are not involved in going out to try and convince the world that it needs to embrace our rituals and cultural aesthetics. Sure, I think that Judaism’s moral underpinnings have much to offer the broader world and that’s where I believe ” being a light unto the other nations” comes into play but that doesn’t mean the entire world needs to recite our prayers or convert into our religion.
Where I disagree with the good rabbi however, is in terms of the degree of openness towards conversion we encourage. I for one feel it’s important that we make it easy enough for potential converts to find their way to us but I’m not so sure that we need to go out and actively seek them. Now the rabbi isn’t actually saying go knocking door-to-door but I’m not sure I would want my shul advertising conversion classes with large banners on its outside walls. Also, according to the rabbi, the idea of turning away the potential convert three times is inappropriate. He talks about how doing so unnecessarily drives people away, who might otherwise have converted. My thinking on this is, if they can’t handle being pushed away a little how serious were they? More importantly do we really want people with such frail convictions joining the tribe? Would such people in hands and strengthen us collectively or diminish us? Basically, I think conversion to Judaism should be a hard thing! Not an impossible thing but something that creates a little doubt so that people can reflect on what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, before making a serious commitment. After all joining the tribe is not just about a converts desire, it’s about a community’s acceptance.
Anyhow like I’ve already mentioned above, I think the rabbi is dead on throughout most of this video.
The second video looks at the issue of “who is a Jew”.
I don’t have too much to say/add to this one because we are on the same page. In terms of conversion I agree that there needs to be standards and that they should be transdenominationally representative.
From my point of view it makes sense that anyone who wants to convert should be required to have sponsorship from a rabbi and undergo a period of formal study, to be concluded by appearing before a bet din. I also think that consistent ritual observance is an essential part of the conversion process, therefore circumcision (symbolic if already circumcised and the real deal if not) should be required, as well as Mikva immersion and even IMO a verbalized (and witnessed) commitment by the convert to reject any previously non-Jewish religious beliefs, and acceptance to be bound G-d, Jews, Judaism and Israel for all of eternity and last but not least to submit to the yoke of the 613 Mitzvot (however that might be understood)! I think these components are important regardless of whether one converts via Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist. I see these rituals as essential expressions of Klal Yisrael and a commitment to the tribe beyond a particular denomination. Of course those on the other side of the halachick border may not ever recognize our commitment, but that’s not our problem and certainly not for our lack of trying when, we set such a serious commitment to a standard. After all ultimately as individual Jews we can only be responsible for our own actions and efforts, when it comes to reaching out to the broader Jewish community.
I’m sure that some of you reading this strongly disagree with what I’ve just said but I feel as a Jew committed to Klal Yisrael it’s important for us (or at least me) to go any extra step I can, without selling out my own sense of Jewish identity and I feel that the above does just that.
OK! Maybe I did have a lot to say on this video or rather it’s subject.
As for the issue of patrilineal dissent it is complicated and one I have flip-flopped on quite a bit. Although I personally don’t have a problem with patrilineal descent, unfortunately at this time it’s much more than just a “personal” issue, because it has such a huge impact on Klal Yisrael. Therefore it is a decision I leave up to the Rabbis of the Rabbinical Assembly and accept their decision on the subject. I feel that if there’s one issue that’s going to rip Judaism into two separate religions it is the issue of patrilineal dissent and is therefore something too big for me or my opinion any individual to decide on their own. I would even take it a step further and say that in my opinion the Reform decision on the subject was shortsighted and they have potentially created a huge problem that will last far into the future. That’s not to say that they aren’t ultimately right about patrilineal dissent, just that as I understand things, they went about all of this in the wrong way.
Anyhow enjoy the videos and as always feel free to share your thoughts.
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Hi Avi,
This is a good post about a couple of pretty important issues. While I don’t think we should be actively recruiting converts as a matter of principle, I agree with Rabbi Ginsburg that the current consensus, particularly in the Orthodox world, is outdated. We should be making it known that we accept with open arms any sincere converts, while keeping the requirements for conversion difficult enough that they demonstrate true commitment on the part of the potential convert.
Regarding the who is a Jew issue and Patrilineal descent, I think that the Conservative movement will eventually have to get a ruling from the CJLS about this. Rabbi Harold Schulweis has argued for accepting Patrilineal Jews, and I think that if one applies Rabbi Ginsburg’s argument for conversion in light of history, it is difficult not to extend that logic to the children on Jewish men and non-Jewish women, particularly if they are raised as Jews. But per a Conservative viewpoint, this would have to wait until the CJLS rules, at least in part, in favor.
kol tuv,
Yair
Hey Yair
I agree with both you and the Rabbi regarding letting people know that we do indeed accept converts. I guess, I just air on the conservative side of things when it comes to outreach. Like I said in the post “make it easy enough to be found” if they are looking”.
As for the Patrilineal issue I am indeed for it at the personal level but I think it is too important a decision to only look at it at that level. As far as the CJLS go’s you may well be right but only time will tell.
My favorite thing about Jewish converts? They want to be here. Sometimes more than born Jews do (not knocking the JBB here, just saying)! It isn’t as simple as saying “Yes, I accept Christ as my lord and savior” and then BAM! you’re Christian. I went there; I did that. And I felt nothing. Mind you a lot of that was because Christianity wasn’t for me, but when I dipped in the mikveh and sat before the bet din and the rabbi said the blessings over me and welcomed me with my Jewish name Chaviva bat Avraham v’ezrat Sarah … man alive. Talk about the culmination of years of study and effort and devotion.
There’s nothing easy about choosing Judaism, and that’s what makes it so special, so unique, and so amazing.
Mazel tov on an awesome post, Avi!
Hey ChavyJo
You Said
My favorite thing about Jewish converts? They want to be here. Sometimes more than born Jews do (not knocking the JBB here, just saying)!
Agreed but that brings it’s own problems with it sometimes.
Thanks for the kind feedback!
I think about this issue a lot, and the videos and your comments gave some interesting perspective on the issue. I have a few things to share.
One, that I agree that it is possible to overdo the turning-away-the-potential-convert part of the process. My experience was a particularly bad one, but it is also important to remember that some of a person’s reaction to being turned away is based on how they’re feeling inside, and not just the behavior (polite, neutral, or downright rude) of the rabbi or beit din on the other side of the desk. Because I have a Jewish father, I felt as though I were reclaiming a piece of my ancestry, but they simply saw me as another non-Jew come to convert. I was hurt, but persisted. I can see how someone less driven than I was might have left and not returned. I think that is unfortunate.
…Which brings me to the subject of patrilineal descent. It is indeed one of the great hot-button issues between the various movements. I don’t have strong feelings about the issue one way or another at this stage, but there was a time when my acceptance by the Reform movement was my only acceptance at all in the Jewish world (there wasn’t much of a Reconstructionist presence where I lived at the time) and I can tell you in all honesty, it meant the world to me. It meant I had a place to go where I could participate fully and not have to worry about how much people knew about my family background. (I didn’t like the idea of trying to keep my New England Protestant mother a secret.) When I came to Israel 11 years ago as a Reform Jew, I met one of the rabbis who had voted with the CCAR in favor of accepting patrilineal descent. He explained that he had later had doubts about whether he had done the right thing or not, so I made sure to tell him how much what he had done had meant to me. There is little doubt in my mind that had I not been accepted by the Reform Jewish world, I would have abandoned Judaism altogether for its rejection of me.
That said, there is a practical rationale for matrilineal descent that goes beyond the rather crude argument that “one can never be sure who the father is.” Traditionally, as well as currently, the mother has the greater role in teaching and shaping the offspring in the family. As such, she is usually (though not always) the one who, in the course of her roles as parent and CEO of the household, passes on the foundation of the family’s religion. A person with no background or knowledge is not in the ideal position to teach a foreign religion to her children.
If I’ve learned anything from my years of living and studying Judaism, it’s that Judaism is a big, deep, colorful mess. Sometimes that’s a good thing–if it were too clear-cut and monochromatic, most of us wouldn’t find a place to fit in. But given that there are so many Jewish communities to choose from, when we convert, we must do it in our own way and find the place we are most comfortable. We must surround ourselves with good people, encourage and support one another, learn together, and find as many ways as we can to make our lives meaningful in a Jewish way. We must not expend our energy thinking about who accepts (or doesn’t accept) us, who does or does not define us as a Jew according to THEIR definition. No matter where one chooses to settle in the Jewish world, there will always be those who don’t see us as valid or legitimate. (There are plenty in the Orthodox world who don’t accept me–even with my Orthodox conversion–as Jewish.) Judaism is not exact–for every law, there are multiple interpretations. Find what suits you, dig in, and start living.
Shimshonit:
Judaism is not exact–for every law, there are multiple interpretations. Find what suits you, dig in, and start living.
Well said, very well said in deed!!!
I must admit that in general I find your comments on this blog to be very insightful but I especially like the one quoted above.
Cheers, Avi, and thanks to you and your colleagues for giving us converts a “room of our own” so to speak. (”In general” you find my comments to be insightful? You mean you might have disagreed with me about the settlers and the olive trees? Just kidding…)
I haven’t watched the videos but wanted to say I like the discussion it’s creating. I’m grading student work instead (yippee).
I agree with Chavi but have to say to her, “Watch yourself! I’m a JBB who wants to be here.” (but seriously) You are absolutely correct in that many of the more serious Jews in terms of observance and building community at shul are those who were not born Jewish. I know that Avi and I have been going to many groups and events at our new shul and besides the events specific to JBCs, we’ve found so far that even the Torah study groups and such are dominated by JBCs. As a matter of fact, we went to a young couples Torah study a few weeks ago, and I was a minority as a JBB! GO FIGURE