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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous](sympathetic C Jew again) To note the kids will be halachically Jewish (lets leave off with the "culturally Jewish" BS - the kids won't be speaking Yiddish, vaguely aware of Judaism is not "culturally Jewish") and at some point may have curiosity about Judaism. If you, OP, are involved in their lives, and can model a happy successful O life, they may be drawn either to O, or at least to some more Torah focused life.

I would also suggest you talk with an Orthodox rabbi familiar with the situation among non O in America (IE a mainstream modern O rabbi, esp one familiar with BT issues) Not sure a rabbi in Israel would be a good source on the sociology, even if you follow them on halacha. [/quote]

So the kids are only worth being involved with if they are "halachically" Jewish through the mother?  Such bullsh*t reasoning is why the numbers of Jews will decrease in the U.S.  My son is not "halachically" Jewish because I (the mom) am not, but I make a lot of effort to educate him and expose him to the faith.  If what you're intending is to alienate Jews and decrease your numbers, good job.  [/quote]

Good for you. However halachically Jewish kids will find an easier path to traditional Judaism, especially given that in this case the Jewish parent is an atheist so they will not be educated as Jews. [/quote]

And that matters, why?  Being obsessed with the gender of the Jewish parent only makes the child less likely to find their way to traditional Judaism, because it's so arbitrary.  The only reason the path is easier for the halachically Jewish kid is because you discriminated against the non-halachic kid based solely on the gender of the Jewish parent.  [/quote]

You are correct. Interfaith marriages are the reason that Reform Judaism is dying out. While I think the OP is wrong if she doesn’t attend her sidter’s wedding, statistics show that there is a significant chance that her future nieces and nephews will not raise Jewish children. [/quote]

You're ignoring the point:  if Jewish congregations (of all types) were more welcoming to intermarriage and half-Jewish children, then numbers would grow.  [/quote]

On the contrary, Reform, reconstructionist and even conservative synagogues have bent over backwards to welcome everyone and anyone to keep their numbers strong to no avail. Interfaith marriages, same sex marriages, adoption without conversion. It’s not lack of acceptance. It’s the fact that these places of worship lack any seblance to actual religion. [/quote]

+1.  When a religion asks literally nothing of you, it gives nothing back.  These liberal denominations are not spiritually nourishing.  I’ve seen this among Christians, as well.  (I’m Christian.). I went to a ridiculously “welcoming” UU congregation and it was a spiritual sh*tshow.  I left (quietly and respectfully) and multiple board members kept basically asking me why I left and how they could “improve.”  It’s like a Burger King at these places: “Have it your way!”  The food still sucks.[/quote]
I’m sorry, are you a Reform, Reconstructionist, or Conservative Jew? If not, who are you to say whether people who practice in those denominations feel spiritually nourished? It might not be your “food,” but for those of us who belong and have a relationship with our worship and our community, it certainly doesn’t “suck.” Your post is incredibly offensive—though I do appreciate your use of metaphor.

I was raised Reform and belong to a Reform congregation that does ask a lot of me. I do give a lot back in return. I also read the Torah portion every week, listen to and read commentary, and celebrate Shabbat every week, whether with my family in our home, at temple, or with a wonderful group of friends. And while there are certainly Jews of all denominations who don’t practice or take their affiliation seriously (just as there are Protestants, Catholics, etc wh do the same!) I’m not alone in my relationship to Judaism. [/quote]

Exactly. To the other PP -- how horrible of you to say certain denominations of a religion are not spiritually nourishing. Who are you to say what does and doesn't fulfill someone's spiritual needs?

For me, following a lot of rules and doctrine does NOT fulfill my spiritual needs. Meditation, yoga, and reading about mindfulness and Buddhist concepts of reducing suffering and showing compassion to other humans and animals fulfills me spiritually. That might not work for other people, but I would never say they aren't being spiritually nourished. As long as they aren't hurting other people, who cares what they do, religion-wise? [/quote]

Oh grow up with your faux outrage.  “How horrible?!”  It’s my opinion.  Do whatever you want.[/quote]

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