Simanim!

I want to share this article about Simanim. Not to be confused with cinnamon or a synonym.

https://www.ou.org/holidays/rosh-hashanah/norene_gilletz_simanim_special_food_signs_for_sweet_and_healthy_new_year/

Or Zaru-a

First Entry

As I learn about the Reform movement, I become more and more inspired. One of the most important aspects to me is the diversity of its members. What I mean by that is that at a Reform Synagogue, you will find people of various backgrounds.  You will find converts to Judaism, people of conservative and Orthodox tradition, members who have generations of Reformers and family members including spouses and children of members who may not be Jewish but feel at home in the accepting and warm environment of the Synagogue. 

My own experience is special to me.  My father's family background was conservative, and probably my greatgrandparents or great great grandparents were closer to Orthodox.  Since my mother was not Jewish, I listened to the mantras that both Jewish and Non-Jewish society speaks.  This includes the idea that if your mother is not Jewish, you are not considered Jewish, unless you convert.  This includes the traditional idea that in order to become Jewish, you must ask three times, go through several rituals.  In many cases these ideas were traditionally true and in some movements and/or synagogues, still hold as true, however, this is not the case in Reform Judaism.  The first one, is key for me, in Reform Judaism, both maternal and paternal lines automatiicaly qualify you as a Jew, meaning, you don't have to convert.  I heard this almost by accident while talking with the Rabbi at my temple while at a meeting about the Temple's website.  I had always thought I would have to go through some conversion practice.  I asked the Rabbi what I needed to do to convert and he simply replied, "Your father is Jewish right? In Reform we accept both paternal and maternal lines".  This concept blew me away when I first heard it, my identity crisis had been resolved in the matter of a few seconds.  

This experience also made me reflect on my experiences at the Temple. One of the things I love is that on the issue of whether or not I am considered Jewish, there has never been an issue except with myself.  No one ever asked me why I was there, how I was Jewish.  Any time I bring up the fact that I didn't grow up Jewish I hear stories about how someone they know either converted, or how they have a similar story such as my own.  Many people have family who aren't Jewish and nobody makes a big deal about it.  Back to the top paragraph, the key is everyone is accepting of the other members faith. Some people where kippahs, some people don't, some people practice kashrut (kosher), other people do not.  The choice to practice or not practice these things, for Reform Jews is not a form of rebellion or being lazy, its based in the tradition of the movement. 

This brings me to other aspects I like about the movement.  If I wasn't aware of my family's Jewish background, and didn't feel a strong draw to its tradition, I would probably practice Secular Humanism. The Reform movement, from the little I've read, was based on a very liberal movement that happened in the 19th Century, people who wanted to preserve Jewish Tradition, but felt that many of the laws were outdated.  They believe that the religion should reflect current society.  This is a quote from Wikipedia "the reform movement has eyed traditional Jewish beliefs through the lens of liberal thought, such as autonomy, modernity, universalism, and the historical-philosophical critiqueof religion." Soon I will be studying the current platforms of the religion.

That's all for now.