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][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][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]

If you voted for T i would yell at you and call you a racist too![/quote]

To the person who cared to write that incredibly thoughtful and personal reply, thank you. 
To the person who responded re voting for T, please get a life.[/quote]
Thank you! I'm the one who wrote the "thoughtful and personal" reply.

I think it does explain why some conservative Jews (in both senses of the word) have moved over to Chabad. It doesn't entirely answer the OP's question, since we did not "become" ultra-Orthodox. I'm the same as always - typing away on the computer on Shabbat, keeping kosher-style, observing all holidays - not just the New Year and Yom Kippur, but Shavuot, Sukkot, Purim, etc.) - and still consider myself a conservative Jew.[/quote]

DP.  I feel you and respect you so much PP!!!  I’ve had a similar experience among Christians - I am Catholic now after a ridiculously politicized experience among liberal Christians.  Geez it was so awful.  [/quote]

We quit our liberal conservative synagogue. Couldn’t stand the woke rabbi. Now we don’t do much that’s Jewish because of that miserable experience. I am too jaded.[/quote]
(Chabad-goer here.) That's understandable - and so sad. But it does speak to the complete disregard among the "woke" Jews of anyone who doesn't worship at the altar of liberalism. That they are willing to drive Jews away from Judaism if they don't agree with the leftist mindset proves the adage: "Their liberalism trumps their Judaism." If alienating or outright verbally abusing fellow Jews drives them out of shul, and further away from Judaism, simply because they are opposed to liberal policies, they're all for it.

On a personal note, if you still want to stay attached to Judaism, you might check out Chabad. They do vary, though, as the one I first visited was almost ALL Orthodox, and I felt out of place (although they were as nice as could be and very welcoming to me). The one I did join is about 90% conservative Jews (most fleeing from the liberal synagogues being hostile to them), and wear pants to services, eat in restaurants, etc. Just a thought...[/quote]

The only thing I would say in response to the idea that Chabad doesn't demand any kind of "Jewish standard" from adults is that the same does not hold true in regards to the education they provide in their religious school programs for children. They don't hide this, they are very open about teaching a specific kind of Judaism, but I find most parents don't think deeply about what that really means. I've watched as a few friends who have chosen Chabad for their kids find themselves shocked at the choices those kids make as young adults in terms of their own Jewish practice. C-Teen and programs like that push hard on a yeshivash life post-high school and while not all kids make that choice, the ones that do rarely come from homes where that's the expectation of their parents. [/quote]

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