Jewish Parents: Do you talk to your kids about God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Um... the same things Jews have always believed in: repairing the world, creating a society you want to leave to your children, strong communities, justice.

These are pretty meaningless phrases on which a person can project whatever beliefs and policies they want. Doubtless many Nazis also saw themselves as repairing the world, creating a society to leave to their children, building strong communities, and implementing justice.

Even setting the extreme examples aside and assuming the most charitable interpretations, basically all nice non-Jewish people believe in the things listed too. If that's someone's entire Jewish identity, it's not really distinct in any way from the broader pool of well-intentioned humans.

Hence the large number of Jewish atheists who are comfortable with that distinction.

This is a huge difference between Christianity and Judaism: Christianity is about belief and faith; Judaism is about practice. You don't have to feel comfortable with it, but that's true. If that means that we use the word "tzedakah" (righteousness) to talk about regular charitable donations, then that is "doing Judaism," whether or not it seems special enough to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Immediate, non-Jewish PP and I will add that I think cultural Judaism goes beyond bagels. There is a commitment to improving the world, educating oneself, valuing history and community. Many of the non-believing Jews I know would identify these concepts as part of their cultural Jewish identity.

While these are certainly Jewish mitzvot, what is happening in Judaism in Reform and Conservative movements is a shift away from G-d and a full on takeover of Liberalism. I have been to synagogues that sound more like a meeting of Communist sympathizers than a Jewish service.

As a core belief, Reform Judaism is committed to tikkun olam , healing the world, and gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness. This is regardless of level of belief in God. Is that what you’re referring to? It’s one of the things I love about being a Reform Jew, and certainly goes beyond bagels and lox.

What are those loving kindness things that Reform Jews do? I'm being serious here. What charities, organizations, or social services programs do you partake in? Are Jews having conversations with Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions to bring forth peace in the world? What type of commitments are Jews doing to make the world a better place? I have visited various synagogues in this area. There is so much fluff and not a lot of substance. It's like let's all get together, convince ourselves that we're good people, and pat ourselves on the back. However, there is never a commitment to doing for others who are not Jewish.

I commend you, but when I think of Judaism the first thing that enters my mind is not healing the world. Judaism sort of embodies separation and division. It's an us against them type of focus. I'm not saying that all Jews have this attitude, but the vast majority do. So, I'm in awe when I encounter a Jew whose perspective on life is about healing the world.

Visit Bethesda Jewish Congregation. They are walking the talk about interfaith dialogue, sponsoring refugees, and serious substance in a liberal religious context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Immediate, non-Jewish PP and I will add that I think cultural Judaism goes beyond bagels. There is a commitment to improving the world, educating oneself, valuing history and community. Many of the non-believing Jews I know would identify these concepts as part of their cultural Jewish identity.

While these are certainly Jewish mitzvot, what is happening in Judaism in Reform and Conservative movements is a shift away from G-d and a full on takeover of Liberalism. I have been to synagogues that sound more like a meeting of Communist sympathizers than a Jewish service.

As a core belief, Reform Judaism is committed to tikkun olam , healing the world, and gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness. This is regardless of level of belief in God. Is that what you’re referring to? It’s one of the things I love about being a Reform Jew, and certainly goes beyond bagels and lox.

What are those loving kindness things that Reform Jews do? I'm being serious here. What charities, organizations, or social services programs do you partake in? Are Jews having conversations with Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions to bring forth peace in the world? What type of commitments are Jews doing to make the world a better place? I have visited various synagogues in this area. There is so much fluff and not a lot of substance. It's like let's all get together, convince ourselves that we're good people, and pat ourselves on the back. However, there is never a commitment to doing for others who are not Jewish.

I commend you, but when I think of Judaism the first thing that enters my mind is not heali
ng the world. Judaism sort of embodies separation and division. It's an us against them type of focus. I'm not saying that all Jews have this attitude, but the vast majority do. So, I'm in awe when I encounter a Jew whose perspective on life is about healing the world.

Visit Bethesda Jewish Congregation. They are walking the talk about interfaith dialogue, sponsoring refugees, and serious substance in a liberal religious context.

Please don't suggest that this person visit your synagogue. He/she sounds like someone who is spewing nonsense without any care for the truth.

[Anonymous]

https://nypost.com/2017/12/19/jewish-family-pulls-off-a-toys-for-tots-christmas-miracle/

To the person who doesn't see what "Jews do", please consider this article. This is the Jewish way.