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What Kind of Jew Should You Be? Page 5—THE NEWS—October, 1981 By Saul Brenner The question, “What kind of Jew to be?” is not one for my father, who has been a practic ing and believing Orthodox Jew throughout his 82 years. But it is a question that faces all Jews who feel free to choose the kind of life they want to live. And it is a vital question for the Jewish community, for the choices we make affect the survival of Judaism in America. One can be a religious Jew. The Orthodox Jew believes that God handed down the Torah on Mount Sinai and a Jew has no alterative but to follow God’s commandments. The Conser vative and Reform Jews also believe in God and also claim that they have religious obliga tions, although a decreasing number of people who belong to Conservative and Reform congregations fulfill religious duties. Witness the small number of Conservative Jews who observe the Sabbath and eat Korsher food and witness also the small number’ of Reform Jews who regularly at tend Friday night services. Perhaps this decline in obser vance reflects a decline in belief. We know form survery data that Jews believe in God less than their Catholic and Protes tant neighbors. As early as 1965, 81% of the Catholics, of the Protestants, but on ly 39?’’o of the Jews were willing to affirm that “1 know God really exists and I have no doubts about it.” And Jewish belief in life after death (17%) and in the Bible as an inspired book (17%) were also substan tially lower. Thus, being a religious Jew may no longer be attractive to most of the American Jews. A second kind of Jew one can be is the nationalistic Jew. Most American Jews have strong emotional ties to Israel, but the nationalistic Jew defines his Judaism in terms of these ties. Perhaps being a Zionist is a meaningful way of being Jewish for modern man. But it appears to me that if one is a serious Zionist one ought to make aliya to Israel; one ought to express one’s nationalism in one’s daily life and contribute directly to Israel. Yet most American Jews prefer the comfort of America to the challenge of Israel and, as a consequence, have rejected the nationalistic option. A third kind of Jew is the social Jew. This Jew prefers Jewish friends, enjoys spending his free time with people who come from the same back ground as himself. But clearly this choice is not only dull but is a threat to Jewish survival. Our children will certaintly inform us that they feel comfortable with people of different backgrounds and see no reason why they should not marry them and have children who are not raised as Jews. MANN TRAVELS Let us handle your travel needs, big or small. Our services are FREE. SUITE 3410, NCNB PLAZA CHARLOTTE. N.C. 28280 (704) 333-1511 One can also be an ethical Jew. One might argue that Jewish ethics is relevant to Jewish life and superior to the ethics derived from many other sources. But it seems to me that if one is serious about ethics one ought to adopt the most ethical position, whether that position has its origins in Jewish writings or not. And as a practical mat ter, most people who pride themselves as being ethical Jews pick and choose which Jewish ethics to adopt and Which to re ject. There is, however, a way of being Jewish which may both appeal to modern man and have survival value for the future of Judaism in America. That is, cultural Judaism. To be a cultural Jew one might have a knowledge of Jewish literature (both ancient and modern), an interest in Jewish music, ^rt and dance, a mastery of Hebrew and perhaps Yiddish, a love of and support of Jewish life in Israel and in the disapora, a will ingness to help Jews in need, and a desire to participate in Jewish ceremonies and observe basic Jewish values. To achieve these aims is demanding, but only goals that are difficult to attain are ever appreciated anyway. How can we start to be serious cultural Jews? Soviet Jews, who seek to regain their Jewish heritage, learn Hebrew. Much of Jewish music is written in Hebrew. Our tics to Israel and to Jewish ceremonies are linked to Hebrew. And one can not understand Jewish values I without the knowledge of the sources from which they are derived. Indeed, learning Hebrew is not only crucial for being a cultural Jew, but it is necessary for being a religious, nationalistic, and ethical Jew as well. Watch the most memambie Jewish event oftunes! 4 half-hour broadcasts from the Woild Gatholi^ of Botocanst Smrvlvois in Isiad WEDNESDAY. SEPT. 30 THURSDAY, OCT.l SUNDAY. OCT. 4 TUESDAY, OCT. 6 CHANNEL 42 AT 11:00 P.M. 36 years ago. Hitler's Death Camps opened and a pitifiii handAil of survh/ors emerged, and acatlered to the four comers of the HMxId. Israel America, Canada, Europe Australia. South America. They vom^ that someday they %MOuld meet agabi. They are gathering for their first and. undoubtedly, only reunion ever. Through these historic broadcasts over your local PBS station YOU WILL WTTTfCSS THE MOST MEMORABLE JEWISH CVCrrr or OUR TIMES. WofM Qsttiulii0 of JcwIbIi HolocBiist SwIffOfV One FMAvenue, Suite 4ta newYoiK H.Y. lOOm Tel: (212)679-0600 % New Appointments Bob Bernhardt, president of the Hebrew Academy, has announc ed the appointment of Ann (Mrs. Bob) Abel and Patti (Mrs. Harold) Weisman as cochairwomen of the recruitment committee. League of Nations Two additional students have been accepted into the Academy’s first grade class: Uzi Bar-Lev from Israel and Joel Cown from Scotland. The school also has at least one child from Canada, South Africa and the Soviet Union. Miscellaneous News The Academy received a gift of a copy machine from Stan Greenspon & Associates. This is a most welcome addition to the school. Mrs. Eleanor Weinglass, interim director of the Academy, at tended the six day Southeast Regional Havurah Conference held at Wildacres in late August. Mrs. Weinglass learned a number of techniques that she will introduce in the school. The beginning of the school year has been exceedingly quiet and smooth. It appears that it will be a good year of learning. Faculty, 1. to rt.: Ekanor Weinglass, Sbosiuuia Ravivi, Cookie Pollack. Amd and MitdicllOreenbert at opening picnic. Bertha Straz leading children in Hebrew songs. (photos/Mike Shapiro) QUeu/itd ^APARTMENTS LnJ S7231CEMISUCTC8ilT ClllltTTK, nm UIIUU 2t212 S3MM2 _4MUCHWITIfEm CUIitTTE, MITl CIIIUU 92SJ7S7 OwMd ft Op«lii ky: Lowran ft Skiriey 6iub«g
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 1, 1981, edition 1
5
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