Reply to If you used to be a non-observant Jew, what made you become ultra Orthodox/Lubbavitcher?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have seen their community (Chabad-Lubovitch) described online as Hasidic and ultra-orthodox, but their sect’s website also insists they are orthodox, not ultra-orthodox. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’m not Jewish but from where my husband’s family sits (unobservant Reform), they view it as ultra orthodox. He has the black hat, she wears a wig. [/quote]
I have become very active in Chabad and can shed some first-hand light on this.

It is true that the Rabbi and his wife of my Chabad House are ultra-Orthodox(although they would not describe themselves that way: they'd just say they are Jewish). But I myself was raised conservative - and remain so - and most of the people who are involved with Chabad are as well. (Just about everyone drives to services, for example.) The Chabad Rabbi and wife never said or intimated anything that gives me even a hint of pressure that they would like me to be more religious. They are simply happy that I remain connected with Judaism - as well as all the others. I find them a warm, welcoming group with interesting classes, GREAT holiday parties, lots of lectures and social activities - you should see Chanukah week (pre-COVID): a big "to-do" every single night! - and meaningful sermons at services. I have learned SO much from this group, and made some really nice friends. Just about the only thing I don't like is the separation of men/women during services, but nothing is perfect.

The website of my local chapter says they make no discernment as to whether someone is Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform - and states that "a Jew is a Jew is a Jew."

(Also, just FYI, the reason I left my conservative synagogue and affiliated with this one instead has nothing to do with religion - it has to do with politics. The conservative and reform synagogues are becoming increasingly hostile to those who do not like liberal policies, and the last step was when a congregant yelled at my mother and me right in the "Kiddush Hall" for voting for Trump - and called us racists. Others at Chabad have told me the same thing - that they joined not because they want to be more religious, but they they want to stay connected to Judaism and feel unwelcome in their previous synagogues due to politics.) [/quote]

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