My great grandparents were orthodox Jews, but I feel more connected to the Reform Judaism approach. I love that Reform is focused more on the here and now rather than the past.
Shalom Kathryn! Greetings from a Modern Hasidic Jew! Listen, you made a very nice video, I have so much respect for you! Shkoiyech! The only thing I won't really agree with is that "Tefillah (Prayer) is not always the answer", Hashem is always listening, His silence is the best answer🙂 Our Prophets prayed to Hashem and Hashem answered, sometimes Hashem answers us with the contrary of what we wanted for our own good, Kul Tuv Kathryn!
while I am no longer Jewish, I come from a family of reform Jewish people, (is that the right way to say it in English? my first language is Hebrew, so I lowkey don't know if that's the right way to say it) and let me tell you something- the synagogue we were going to, was the best place ever! everyone was willing to listen to other people's opinions, and everyone was excepting of everything. The first trans person I ever met was there, ( I am myself non-binary) and it was just a really nice and welcoming place! I still visit there from time to time, and I practically grew up there. and although I am no longer Jewish (I am an Agnostic Wiccan) a lot of my morals come from there. that place thought me that all people are equal, and later on, it gave me the strength to come out! whoever is reading this, have a wonderful rest of your day, and blessed be! : )
She strikes me as a very nice and kind girl but Contrary to what some believe Judaism has always believed in an afterlife. To cut the afterlife out of religion is to cut out a big part of what makes life meaningful and I am sure lots of Reform Jews believe in the afterlife.
@@emilyfrank5478 Actually its much more nuanced than that. Prayer does solve problems but only in conjunction with human action--us doing everything we possibly can here on Earth, and prayer is part of that but not all of it. We must do everything that is concrete and practical as well. God takes care of the rest ONLY when we do all we can.
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 Your philosophical and ideological evolution closely mirrors my own. But what I can tell you is that Progressivism never works in any religion. The minute a church or denomination goes Progressive, its the kiss of death for that church or denomination. We see this in the Protestant world where the Mainline churches have been hemorrhaging for decades and there is no reverse to this. They adopt same sex marriage, process theology, feminism, and socialism and alter their beliefs to suit the demands of these movements. That is when the denominations age and die, whilst conservative and evangelical ones hold their own or flourish. The Progressive disease has spread to certain supposedly evangelical and non denominational churches which result in a temporary spike but then a plunge downward. The Southern Baptists are declining too, but then they've gone very woke in the last 20 years while the more modest decline of conservative Lutheran denominations seems to be mainly due to low birthrates. We see this in the Catholic world as well. It is common knowledge among them that going liberal is the death knell of your parish. Whilst conservative groups in the Catholic Church lead flourishing congregations and those with the Latin Mass are full of young families. The same can be said for Anglican churches that have all the old fashioned accountrements of that tradition. We don't see this in the Eastern Orthodox Church, because there really is no Progressive movement amongst them apart from a few disgraced pseudo-intellectuals in universities. I have respect for Orthodox Judaism because it has a clear coherent philosophy and a clear coherent set of standards. Conservative has the philosophy but not the standards. Reform and Reconstructionism have neither. There are other non-Rabbinic sects of Judaism like Karaites, Samaritans, and Heymanot that I totally respect because they have a clear coherent philosophy and standards, which is why they're doing fine. That plus the capacity to educate your congregants, as well as the capacity to challenge them are keys to success.
I'm a Conservative Jew but l follow more of a Orthodox Halachic path .. One thing missing from your presentation is HaShem Yitbarach ! Everything you said was nice but without G-d it simply sounds like modern humanism . Shalom 💟
One thing i have learned in this world is this there is nothing static here, every thing changes , every moment there is a new revelation, manifestation & message . "Each moment contains a hundred messages from God." Rumi
@@cxarhomell5867 Yes the laws of the one who exists doesn't change what changes is the understanding of these laws about scripture do you have the original manuscript of the scripture word to word think. about tradition, customs, rituals & laws whose authenticity & validity is questionable I don't want to comment here.
You just said exactly what I’ve been thinking! I’ve really just begun my journey to converting to Judaism and have been really confused as to which form to go with. This helps cement what I was already thinking. My cousin just converted and is reform, as well. HaShem bless and keep you 🙏💚
@@MayimHastings so you rather be ignorant and do whatever you wish to. Orthodox Judaism is literally Christianity with candles. How can you do that? Why believing in religions if they are to be changed by personal ideas and agendas, just like reform Judaism?
@@omershilian7392 I never said any of that. That’s just how your brain works - looking for every excuse to pounce. I just think you are arrogant and rude to try to force your beliefs on someone else. I don’t care whether they align with my beliefs or not. It’s disgusting and, frankly, a medieval way of thinking.
I agree with the lofty ideals that Ms. Kathryn expressed, but with all due respect, she speaks as if she's never experienced traditional Orthodox Jewish practices before, and I hope she can soon. There is one day every week (Shabbat or Shabbos), where traditional Jews do nothing else BUT immerse themselves in the "here and the now," absorbing all the richness G-d has given. No distractions on social media or pressure to work, just 25 hours embracing one another. I failed to experience that experience of complete rest in the the Reform and Conservative synagogues of my upbringing, but now am embracing in the Orthodox community. That's why I think Ms. Kathryn's message is so sad: because being "progressive" means you can't open your heart to the beauty of traditional Judaism. Spending 1 day of Shabbat in a traditional Jewish community changed my life. For those who haven't had this experience yet, I can't recommend it enough.
Kathryn, you are very well-spoken and sincere. Everything you are looking for you can find in Orthodox Judaism but more intensely, the Orthodox have a deep spirituality that cannot be found amongst the Reform. I know because I was Reform but I left it once I discovered that everything my Reform Rabbis said about the Orthodox was a lie. I hope that your passion will lead you to a shul where you can experience the fullness of Shabbos, the beauty of tefillah, the profound joy of keeping kashrus, and the true love of having a family and being connected to kal Yisrael via the Mitzvohs. Be well and may Hashem bless you and keep you.
Yes. Reform Judaism is indeed made by a group of people that changed Judaism to fit their agendas. Well done on leaving reform Judaism. May I ask. What are you worshipping those days?
Personally, I see the answer to "Why Reform Judaism" to be: choice through knowledge. Everything else she's saying is her own choice through her own knowledge
I want to know about a lot of Jewish women. Because I write a novel. The main character is Jewish girl who grow up in Japan. And this is a story about her playing an active as a Japanese pop star (Japanese Idol). I am Japanese and from Tokyo.
This looks like a troll post. How the hell are you going to write such a magnum opus if you are getting all you material from looking at a pixelated screen ? sounds nuts.
Orthodox Judaism does NOT believe that prayer is the only answer. To the contrary, we are instructed to do our part and not expect miracles. Also, we are not supposed to only live for the afterlife. We are to live in this world while also keeping in mind how our decisions can affect our afterlives. It's about finding a balance. We should not shun the physical nature of this world nor should we be fully emersed in it. We need to take the physical from this world and enjoy it in a responsible way.
I would wish made giur because I love the jewish tradition and my boyfriend is jew but I don't keep kosher, I eat pork meat and sea food. I dont see sense the kashrut law in those days.
@@zeqillanes4312 Perfect attitude and response. God accepts you already and the government of Israel will also accept any conversion from a recognized Jewish community, Reform and Conservative are recognized by the State of Israel. Israel accepts my conversion so they will accept yours also. Don't listen to trolls.
You need to get old Ben Shapiro roll;n along on the subject of Tikkun Olam which gits a mention here in the Anglisky form. If you look up the Episode he did last year on Kammy Harris and Hubby for Channukah he covers that and much else. What is with Kathryn's open neckline... is she trying to get us all Hot and Bothered ? Tim Fidler /NZL
@@BigJFindAWay Lizzie Ellen you are overthinking this.. In case you missed it, am having a go at the Reform Jewish hemline rules (none at Shul from what I understand ) and so on. That's the subtext. Fun fact - that episode re Kammy Harris where he tore her to pieces metaphysically - I was so pished at the Israeli embassy in WGTN over some issue - rudeness over phone to me was the basis that I put a copy of it on the website in the Channuaka section - I was waiting for either an email dressing down or to see that they'd taken it down - it is arip roaring critique of a Woke non black who may well take over Sleepy Joe's job. - you really don't want that on the website of the embassy of another country. However my sand in the gearbox of diplomacy is still there last time I looked. Lightbulb time - Sheldon Fleisher I believe was a character in a Woody Allen movie - perhaps the two are related. ? What film was that ..mmm ulayi Lo (auch). he he.. TEF.
@@F_Tim1961 There seems to be a widespread phenomenon of disrespect for religious institutions. A certain degree of modesty should be required. Where I live the Reform are quite small and the majority of Jews are Orthodox, but that only means Orthodox by affiliation. Most aren't religious, and you'd be scandalized by how many of the young girls--including girls who learn at Jewish schools and should know better--some to shul. To the Orthodox shuls that is. Now to be fair, most of them have the decency to at least stay outside and gossip with the other young girls in miniskirts and the boys in skin tight pants. Now I have absolutely no issue with dressing sexy like this in everyday life, but a house of worship should require some modesty which is why I'm a fan of the long black robes many Eastern Orthodox Christians wear to their churches and the white and/or multi-colored robes that African Christian churches require of their members.
@@BigJFindAWay you might get a kick out of reading something on a different yet somehow related subject - the conversion of Rex Mottram in Brideshead Revisited. A lot of it is in the Granada Film of the same name. Julia's younger sister tells Rex who is a Canadian protestant of some sort about the Pope who made his horse a Cardinal and also about the sacred monkeys that live in the Vatican. Rex takes these stories that he believes hook line and sinker along to some MOnsignor who is instructing him in his conversion - later on this priest visits Julia's mother in a state of some shock because off all the damage that has been done by what's her name...Cecilia perhaps. it's a bit off topic I know but very amusing . Evelyn Waugh who wrote the book was an Anglo catholic who was parachuted into Tito's Yugoslavia and showed great bravery. He was doing parachute training in his early forties which is quite remarkable but then again it was desperate times for Britain at that time. And now for something completely different - here's David Cohen describing life in the US army for a Jewish guy (radio operator ) in the middle of WWII . He uses funny turns of phrase for me a commonwealth citizen. He refers at least once to "speaking Jewish " where he means Yiddish. Perhaps this is how it goes down in New Jersey. There is the story of Izzy and is travails in the US towards the end - it is all very interesting. Cohen the radio operator has died about 2016-19 time. I was looking for this interview again and I come across his Obit on the web. But he had a pretty good innings ; if he were say 20 in 1940 then that gives him a hell of a lot more than his three score years and ten. czcams.com/video/r5SZTxVzQqs/video.html
Pew Research has just just done a comprehensive study of American Jewry and the results are absolutely astonishing. Reform now has to share the title of largest movement in American Jewry with Chabad. But Reform is shrinking, Chabad is growing.
The Pew Research doesn’t factor in the numbers of people converting to Judaism through the Reform Movement. So it needs to factor that data in to be more accurate and truthful.
@@christo-chaney Except it does... That's the point of a pew research, it collects data based on what it can gather and what it can gain from polls and interviews and reviews foreign-wise and national-wise. They already factor the data at the end of the day, and truth be told they are heavily accurate. Most, if not all primary and secondary sources use pew research polls and data for their findings and researches.
It's probably a no win game. EG. the Interior ministry of Israel does not recognise such conversions. That's a major major consideration which would lead to serious discrim in every interraction with the GOI and would be almost impossible to set to rights if you were ever to move there. It is also very silly to ask such questions in open fora even if you use a pseudonym to do so. This stuff can come back and bite y'al in the ass years later. Noting on the Internet ever is truly deleted. TE Fidler
Contact the nearest Reform Synagogue and start attending services. Spend time in the community for a while to see if you think the community would be a good fit for you.
I can assure you it's not. Orthodox Jewish conversion is the only conversion that is genuine and true and sticks to the Halacha. Numerous sources say this. Reform Judaism just picks and chooses and does not go with the true meaning of Rabbinic Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is the best sect of Judaism for you. Maybe even Hasidic Judaism, or Conservative Judaism. I prefer Orthodox Judaism.
Kathryn, EVERYTHING you say, is exactly what Rabbi Manis Friedman, the Rebbe, and the Torah say. All Jews (as sometimes sad and frustrating as it is) share the same soul!
If judaism has to survive it has to reform itself. Every religion & philosophy has some good things in it. Key is how u take it & apply in your life. Either u become blind follower & ritualistic, or u move towards a deeper understanding of the idea of god echoed by people of direct taste & penetrating insight.
@@BigJFindAWay Fundamental Truth & laws of universe doesn't change what changes is our understanding of this TRUTH & laws of nature One thing i have learned in this world is this, there is nothing static here, every thing changes, every moment there is a new revelation, manifestation & message "Each moment contains a hundred messages from God." Rumi Either we listen to this message coming from the depth of our soul or ignore it, If u want to understant Moses & his religion & teaching, u have to take it from what has been revealed to moses, & evaluate it as per understanding of today, not from commentaries of this & that rabbi scattered all over Talmud. I believe in revealed knowledge but now I am not a blind follower of anyone , nor I preach immitation & blind following. Difficulty is with our preset mindset & ego (fear based self). We are not willing to come out of our safety/comfort zone, break the self created barriers, re-evaluate, re-think ,re-educate & update our understanding in the light of new revealation, new manifestation & latest information available. Rather we are afraid of change. "Everything about yesterday has gone with yesterday. Today, it is needed to say new things.” Rumi As per my understanding problem arises when revealed information is translated or interpreted in another language & u don't have the original manuscript but copies of copies of copies.. Here the Truth gets distorted, misinterpreted, & we get trapped in illogical religious dogma & indoctrination so much that we get veiled from seeing the Truth within. It seems to me rabbis have made simple religion too much formalistic, ritualistic & legalistic, judaism has lost its original essence & simplicity, with hundreds of invented commandments & thousands of legalities. This is no more the original religion given to Moses on mount sinai.
@@navsyed4818 1) Yes everything changes and is static. But not God. God is permanent. He doesn't change. And it only makes sense that He would create a Law for us that doesn't change. 2) Kind of interesti ng you quote Rumi. Rumi was only talking about the world but as a devout Sufi Muslim he would agree that God does not change. Rumi would never agree with your interpretation of his thoughts. 3) Why should we understand the teachings of Moses through the lens of today? Who says today we're where its at? Who says that today we have all the answers? Tomorrow people may look back on today people and laugh at us for our ignorance. 4) I agree that you have to determine for yourself what truth is, which I've done and have come up with the determination that its in the Hebrew Bible. The Rabbinic commentators are there to help us understand the Bible and no they are not always right but where would we be without them? Nowhere. That's why we have to study the commentaries assiduously. And yet the Hebrew Bible on certain things is unambiguous. 5) What do you suppose is the original Judaism of Mount Sinai? For me there are four strong contenders for the title---1) Orthodox Rabbinic Judaism, 2) Karaite Judaism, 3) Samaritanism, 4) Ethiopian Heymanot Judaism. What do all four have in common? A devotion to the Bible as it is written, a determination to live by the Bible's standards not by the standards of today, a clear coherent set of principles that help us understand the Bible and determine what is authentic Judaism, and a set of rules that serve as the constitution for the religion and which are inviolate. It is this framework that keeps these traditions stable and strong, all religions need a framework but Reform hasn't got one which is why its dying. I wish Reform did, but it doesn't. The same is true in Catholicism and Protestantism. The mainline and liberal traditions within those are dying, the orthodox ones stable or growing.
@@BigJFindAWay You agreed with me that everything changes except G-d let's first update our understanding of G-d here is a question for u to think & reflect upon Do u seriously believe there exists a God outside you somewhere in the sky sitting on his throne, also is there anything here in our world which is God like, that is infinite, omnipresent & everywhere, & finally do u seriously believe in religion or u are logical type who believes in reason,logic & science I will give u my reply later till then enjoy & reflect upon this beautiful & insightful poem "There is a LIFE-FORCE within your soul, seek that life. There is a GEM in the mountain of your body, seek that mine. O traveler, if you are in search of THAT, Don't look outside, look INSIDE yourself and seek That. Rumi
@@navsyed4818 You didn't say that you agreed that everything changes except God. You said everything changes and quoted Rumi. But Rumi himself, as a devout Muslim, believes that God doesn't change. And Rumi himself would tell you that God's Law doesn't change. Do I think there is a God somewhere out there sitting on His Throne? Well the Vision of Ezekiel seems to suggest that there is, but then what does the Throne mean? Its not a giant man with a long beard in the sky, Kabbala has all sorts of insights as to what it means, and Zen-like, it isn't something we can grasp through our own minds. Now if I'm understanding you correctly, you are telling me that you believe in no God outside of yourself. But how can you believe that God is only in yourself? Does that mean there are 7 billion Gods in this world? What connects us to the universe and to other beings? You ask me if I believe in religion or in logic, reason, and science. Its a false dichotomy. I can believe in both. Jewish thinkers have long since resolved these issues, and I'm sure Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist etc thinkers have done the same for their own faiths. Western Secular society asks us to choose. But Western Secular society does not dictate to me what I can and can't believe, and especially nowadays that Western Secular society is dying. Not many true Western secularists left, because most of them have been sucked into the most fundamentalistic, ultra-dogmatic, anti-science, anti-reason, anti-logic religion of all. Once again you quote Rumi. But again, Rumi was only telling people where they can find an encounter with God. Rumi was not saying that this is the only place where you'll find God, but its the best way to find God. Rumi believed in Allah and submitted himself to Him as per the requirements of Islam. You actually can't separate Sufism from Islam. All attempts to try are failures. So now what I want to know is what does any of this have to do with our discussion of Reform Judaism?
You express a great misunderstanding of Torah Judaism. Respectfully I hope you will learn more. What you propose to love about Judaism is from the Torah and when properly taught maximizes a person’s impact
@@cxarhomell5867 Just because it is non-traditional does not mean it is wrong nor bad. Regardless of sect, Jews need to support each other especially in today's era of intense anti-semitism.
@@peytongorshavitzki6933 It does if it ignores all of the traditional tenets and laws and especially oral traditions of the Torah. That means Hashem would not like a person trying to "reform" His teachings. Orthodox Judaism and other forms of Halakhic Judaism are the most traditional in terms of following the Torah, the Talmud, the Mishnah and the Oral traditions. Reform and Conservarive Judaism do not hold any kosher or proper conversions, so they do not have a proper Jewish community. If a person has a Jewish mother, he or she is Jewish. Agreed, but, in order for that to happen, Jewish people must become more observant to the Commandments, defend themselves and each other, and keep up with their prayers.
@Md Miah God has determined what is the right path and what is the wrong path. Us Jewish people are advised to follow the straight path of Hashem, pray, fast, recite, eat correctly, behave correctly, keep Shabbos, observe the Jewish holidays and calendar, and to uphold the Torah and the 613 mitzvot. If any Jewish person refrains from doing so, then a fire would be lit in their home, and it is said that they will seek the direct consequences in the world to come. All of this is said in the Talmud and the Tanach. Orthodoxy and the Halacha are two fundamentals of Judaism that would lead any Jew to the correct path. If you are a gentile, then follow the Seven Commandments of Noah and accept the Torah and Israel, and you will live a good life in this world, and a good life decisions the world to come. The Duty of God is to protect us from right and wrong, and to observe the faith of Hashem and to follow no one but Him. If we were to ever refuse to do this with the power of free will, then a painful consequence shall await us. But, only Hashem knows, and He protects us all as long as we worship no one but Him. That is a take on it.
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 the reform movement is more like Christianity without Jesus. Jews don't recognize reform people as Jewish. I am just stating facts not being judgmental or anything
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 you sad that "There are different understandings of how to perform Torah Mitzvot" this is why I said "Christianity without Jesus". as they believe in the old testament but they don't keep its laws. the same way reformers marry non Jews, transgress the laws of sabbath and so on, all in the name of different understandings
@@mcmforever2644 what???? Jews certainly do recognize reform Jews as Jews, and no practice of Judaism is "Christianity without Jesus" that statement is something Jews all find very offensive because Judaism heavily differs from Christianity... Not all reform Jews practice the same.
@@Rolando_Cueva I suppose, but i don't understand how because from what i can tell they don't really keep shabbos and other mitzvos. I'm not one of those crazy angry people, I'm just confused.
@True North I'm glad that you understand my question, but i am still a little confused. I think what i am having difficulty understanding is that we all study the torah, yet certain things like keeping shabbos and certain other mitzvos we don't all do. So that, i think is all i don't understand. Thank you for explaining as much as you have.
@@giladlevitz3283 My understanding that today's reform gives the individual autonomy to pick & choose what is meaningful to him/her if it makes him/her feel a connection to G-d & feel good!!! Having said that I fail to see the difference between reform,unitarian universalism & ethical culturalism
Prayer is how we fight evil. Sinners prayer in Book of Matthew, that wasn't for God, that was for us. Don't pray as the heathen for they.. . Living life is tough but eventually through repentance which isn't perfect over time it becomes more obvious how The Lord moves in my life. In America women have moved to choosing men based on money that they have, community is valued but family values have fallen since 90s. It is a different world then it was when northern piled into churches the size of a bus to sing gospel music while fighting slavers, the South. Men and women valued freedom, now they embrace slaverythta will lead to a holocaust worst then that caused by Nazi party. Hidden persecution and mixed bloodlines may be a cause, in the past and now. If a people repent God will delay judgememt, if a people are trapped in slavery they'll need a miracle. The slavery now is just another anonymous man or woman paying to see naked ladies on the internet, an it's like a diffrent ice cream, bored and move on. Idk. Goodness of God should bring a man to repentance. American communities have gotten hypocritical, sex depraved men that roam about like wild beasts seeking whom they may devour, sounds familiar. Forgotten shame from the youth, younger generation seems to be easily controlled by sex, imho from prior abuse and iniquity it can manifest outwardly as some scary, over reaching controlling behavior. Closer I get to leaving my 20s, more clear the wiles of the devil get. It's a sin to doubt God. Beginning of wisdom is fear of The Lord The Lord will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy. Revelation 21:8 All who call on the name of The Lord shall be saved. Idk. Lol
Prayers will solve everything God made the Torah over 3000 years ago knowing that the Torah’s laws will work for how ever long we live. God knows everything so stop with the non sense go the way of the Torah not against it
Pew Research has done an in depth study of American Jewry and the results are remarkable. 38% of American Jews have participated in Chabad activities and 40% of those are Chabad members which means that 15% of American Jews are affiliated with Chabad. What this means is that Reform has been dethroned as the largest movement in American Judaism. That distinction now goes to Chabad. Reform now has 14% of American Jews and Conservative 11%. And since Chabad is not all of Orthodoxy or even most of it, we can now safely say that Orthodoxy is now by far the biggest movement in American Jewry.
Except that it's not even close to being the biggest. You're making assumptions that aren't real. Just because someone is a member of Chabad they're hardly considered Orthodox observant Jew.
You're confusing Chabad not being the biggest with the numbers of Lubavitcher Hasidim which is not one of the largest Hasidic sects numerically. Satmar, Gur, Bobov, Viznitz, Belz, Klausenburg all have more Hasidim than Lubavitch but Lubavitch has a huge impact on the Jewish world outside of its sect through its shluchim and the Pew study did its work through interviews of a wide cross section of American Jews. They found that 37 or 38 percent of US Jews participate in Chabad activities which I promise you Reform is not even half that. The 15 percent figure is indicative of the percentage that are members of Chabad shuls. Reform has 14 percent, Conservative 11 percent. So as per this study's findings Chabad is indeed the biggest Jewish denomination in America. And the fact that most are not observant makes not an iota of difference. Chabad doesn't view Jews in terms of how religiously observant they are. The Chabad rabbi of the main shul where I live gave a talk once saying two women joined the shul saying, "We're not frum." The rabbi said, "I disagree with these women. They routinely visit the sick, they are very involved in charity, they help the elderly---I think they're VERY frum."
Whenever I hear one of these testimonies about why Reform Judaism I always get two things: 1) we are Reform because it's not necessary to practice the rituals and have the beliefs that the Orthodox and Conservative feel are so important. 2) we are Reform because we want to make the world a better place. So what I get is as follows: 1) These Reformers speaking this way define themselves by what they're not rather than what they are. 2) They fail to explain why you need to be Jewish to make the world a better place.
@@benyaakov6453 The difference is that Unitarians and Ethical Universalists like eggnog, cream pies, high tea, ballroom dancing, golf, and croquet lawns. Reform Jews like potato kugel, bagels and lox, latkes, klezmer music, hora dancing, and Yiddish humor.
@@BigJFindAWay Besides the food which may or may not be kosher & some cultural differences I still see to see the difference in actual lifestyles & PC SJW way of life.Having said that I respect reform because reform is more intellectually honest than the grossly misnamed "conservative" movement.
@@benyaakov6453 Conservative is a real tragedy. When it started it was very traditional---basically it was a liberal form of Orthodoxy. Many well respected Orthodox rabbis in high places learned at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Many rabbis of Conservative shuls were from strict Orthodox yeshivas. In the 1930s America, half of all Orthodox shuls in America did NOT have mechitzahs, and one third of all Conservative shuls did. Many of the founders of Young Israel were JTS graduates. And the leaders of the Conservative movement---Saul Lieberman, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Louis Finkelstein, Mordecai Waxman---were Torah giants on the same level as the Haredi gedolim. If not even higher. What went wrong? Was it accommodation to American suburban life? Was it kissing up too much to the rich machers? Whatever it was, especially after the giants passed on, Conservative Judaism was to change and be ruined. I would love to see that movement articulate a clear coherent ideology and set of standards, but I don't see it happening. I think they're finished. Any accomodationist form of religion will kill itself off, especially when it incorporates the corroding influence of wokeness. That's why I see no future for Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, or Renewalist Judaisms. So the real wild card here is the rejuvenated Modern Orthodoxy of Chovevei Torah. I think they have the potential to be something great, to be what Conservative was supposed to be but that requires that they stick to their guns and not compromise essential Orthodox and Torah beliefs and standards. They could be a tremendous positive force in Judaism. The problem is that wokeness has crept into their movement and is inflicting it. For now, the leadership still remains properly Orthodox, but they need to get rid of whomever is a corrosive influence. For instance, I can't imagine in what universe someone like Shmuly Yanklovitz could possibly be considered Orthodox.
@@BigJFindAWay I agree with you about Yanklowitz ,howevever IMHO Union for Traditonal Judaism is closer to what you are talking about than Chovevei Torah
I love this. Thank you for speaking honestly and clearly. As a modern woman I am actually seeking to learn from women and it is not easy in such a male dominated culture. 🩵
@@cxarhomell5867 I am going to have to let a relative know my password; because I can see this argument going on a long time after I die !! :-)) Bibi has his own problems now .. how to pay off enough people so he can stay out of the prison and a decision as to whether a divorce from MISS PIGGY is worth the effort . TEF
Yeah I don’t have a Dog in the fight because I’m Muslim but reforming your religion again is admitting the Torah isn’t perfect is basically just being Jewish by blood but being half way in faith.
את לא יהודיה. את מחללת השם. את וכל הרפורמים... You're absolutely not a jew. this is hilul hachem You can not change the torah according your beliefs. sorry to shatter your beliefs. you're as same as genetiles.
My great grandparents were orthodox Jews, but I feel more connected to the Reform Judaism approach. I love that Reform is focused more on the here and now rather than the past.
When it comes to Torah and Jews, we all are one people. The titles, what Mitzvot you keep is for you to decide how your journey in life looks.
@dominionphilosophy3698 Yes. G-d in his kindness gave Jews many options for how to serve and connect to him.
@@chayap.199. him? hmmmm. Tired of this notion.
@@Queenie-the-genie learn Chassidus
I admire and respect what you said, Ms Fleisher. Best wishes to you. Am Yisrael Chai!
Please, don't follow reform (deformed) Judaism.
@@cxarhomell5867 no♥️
Shalom Kathryn! Greetings from a Modern Hasidic Jew! Listen, you made a very nice video, I have so much respect for you! Shkoiyech! The only thing I won't really agree with is that "Tefillah (Prayer) is not always the answer", Hashem is always listening, His silence is the best answer🙂 Our Prophets prayed to Hashem and Hashem answered, sometimes Hashem answers us with the contrary of what we wanted for our own good, Kul Tuv Kathryn!
So, if we pray that our baby is born normal, but the baby is born with a horrendous deformity, that's for our own good, is it? You really are nuts.
Thank you, what a lovely video. I have been attending a Reform Shul for about 15 months and have now started my conversion journey.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hope you can still be saved
Stick with original orthodox Judaism. Reform movement is changing the original prayers and Mitsvoth for no reason
@@omershilian7392 Saved?
@@omershilian7392 judaism has no concept of being saved. this is a very christian take
@@SatonmyButt yes. Reform is always bullshit what's the point of religion if you change it?
while I am no longer Jewish, I come from a family of reform Jewish people, (is that the right way to say it in English? my first language is Hebrew, so I lowkey don't know if that's the right way to say it) and let me tell you something- the synagogue we were going to, was the best place ever! everyone was willing to listen to other people's opinions, and everyone was excepting of everything. The first trans person I ever met was there, ( I am myself non-binary) and it was just a really nice and welcoming place! I still visit there from time to time, and I practically grew up there. and although I am no longer Jewish (I am an Agnostic Wiccan) a lot of my morals come from there. that place thought me that all people are equal, and later on, it gave me the strength to come out!
whoever is reading this, have a wonderful rest of your day, and blessed be! : )
Sounds like a very interesting journey. Bhatzlacha raba
im a wiccan too was going be reform but didnt
@@ilovemyboyfriend5425 I actually left wiccanism and I'm Jewish again, tho I still practice witchcraft :)
@@Crowcrowcrowcrowcrowcrow how that differnt ?
@@ilovemyboyfriend5425 well before I considered myself a wiccan, now I came back to Judasim because I lost my connection to Wicca
She strikes me as a very nice and kind girl but Contrary to what some believe Judaism has always believed in an afterlife. To cut the afterlife out of religion is to cut out a big part of what makes life meaningful and I am sure lots of Reform Jews believe in the afterlife.
The idea that "prayer won't solve everything" seemed very contrary to Jewish theology as well.
@@emilyfrank5478 Actually its much more nuanced than that. Prayer does solve problems but only in conjunction with human action--us doing everything we possibly can here on Earth, and prayer is part of that but not all of it. We must do everything that is concrete and practical as well. God takes care of the rest ONLY when we do all we can.
@True North I'm really not sure what point there is in being religious if you don't believe in an afterlife.
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 Your philosophical and ideological evolution closely mirrors my own. But what I can tell you is that Progressivism never works in any religion. The minute a church or denomination goes Progressive, its the kiss of death for that church or denomination.
We see this in the Protestant world where the Mainline churches have been hemorrhaging for decades and there is no reverse to this. They adopt same sex marriage, process theology, feminism, and socialism and alter their beliefs to suit the demands of these movements. That is when the denominations age and die, whilst conservative and evangelical ones hold their own or flourish. The Progressive disease has spread to certain supposedly evangelical and non denominational churches which result in a temporary spike but then a plunge downward. The Southern Baptists are declining too, but then they've gone very woke in the last 20 years while the more modest decline of conservative Lutheran denominations seems to be mainly due to low birthrates.
We see this in the Catholic world as well. It is common knowledge among them that going liberal is the death knell of your parish. Whilst conservative groups in the Catholic Church lead flourishing congregations and those with the Latin Mass are full of young families. The same can be said for Anglican churches that have all the old fashioned accountrements of that tradition.
We don't see this in the Eastern Orthodox Church, because there really is no Progressive movement amongst them apart from a few disgraced pseudo-intellectuals in universities.
I have respect for Orthodox Judaism because it has a clear coherent philosophy and a clear coherent set of standards. Conservative has the philosophy but not the standards. Reform and Reconstructionism have neither. There are other non-Rabbinic sects of Judaism like Karaites, Samaritans, and Heymanot that I totally respect because they have a clear coherent philosophy and standards, which is why they're doing fine. That plus the capacity to educate your congregants, as well as the capacity to challenge them are keys to success.
@@BigJFindAWay l had to leave a reform temple because the so-called rabbi told me he literally does not believe in G-d ... True story !
Very well said 👍
So many negative people in this comment section.
Great video, and amazing message!
I'm a Conservative Jew but l follow more of a Orthodox Halachic path .. One thing missing from your presentation is HaShem Yitbarach ! Everything you said was nice but without G-d it simply sounds like modern humanism . Shalom 💟
A Jew is a Jew
Beautifully expressed...Thank You!!!! 🙋♀️💕🌻
One thing i have learned in this world is this there is nothing static here, every thing changes , every moment there is a new revelation, manifestation & message .
"Each moment contains a hundred messages from God."
Rumi
So many beautiful quotes from Rumi
Everything changes, but not the scriptures nor the traditional laws.
They are sacred for a reason.
@@cxarhomell5867
Yes the laws of the one who exists doesn't change
what changes is the understanding of these laws
about scripture do you have the original manuscript of the scripture word to word think.
about tradition, customs, rituals & laws whose authenticity & validity is questionable I don't want to comment here.
Can you recommend a reform temple that live streams?
Amen! Yom Tov Everyone and God Bless 👏❤
You just said exactly what I’ve been thinking! I’ve really just begun my journey to converting to Judaism and have been really confused as to which form to go with. This helps cement what I was already thinking. My cousin just converted and is reform, as well. HaShem bless and keep you 🙏💚
Stick to orthodox. The original and only real way of worshipping
You know, I born Jew looks at a convert and laughs.
@@omershilian7392 no
@@MayimHastings so you rather be ignorant and do whatever you wish to. Orthodox Judaism is literally Christianity with candles. How can you do that? Why believing in religions if they are to be changed by personal ideas and agendas, just like reform Judaism?
@@omershilian7392 I never said any of that. That’s just how your brain works - looking for every excuse to pounce. I just think you are arrogant and rude to try to force your beliefs on someone else. I don’t care whether they align with my beliefs or not. It’s disgusting and, frankly, a medieval way of thinking.
Wow- thank you- I’m late to this video- but beautiful stated and shared.
I agree with the lofty ideals that Ms. Kathryn expressed, but with all due respect, she speaks as if she's never experienced traditional Orthodox Jewish practices before, and I hope she can soon. There is one day every week (Shabbat or Shabbos), where traditional Jews do nothing else BUT immerse themselves in the "here and the now," absorbing all the richness G-d has given. No distractions on social media or pressure to work, just 25 hours embracing one another. I failed to experience that experience of complete rest in the the Reform and Conservative synagogues of my upbringing, but now am embracing in the Orthodox community. That's why I think Ms. Kathryn's message is so sad: because being "progressive" means you can't open your heart to the beauty of traditional Judaism.
Spending 1 day of Shabbat in a traditional Jewish community changed my life. For those who haven't had this experience yet, I can't recommend it enough.
Focus it all has to do with focus. 100% to 10%
Nice
Kathryn, you are very well-spoken and sincere. Everything you are looking for you can find in Orthodox Judaism but more intensely, the Orthodox have a deep spirituality that cannot be found amongst the Reform. I know because I was Reform but I left it once I discovered that everything my Reform Rabbis said about the Orthodox was a lie. I hope that your passion will lead you to a shul where you can experience the fullness of Shabbos, the beauty of tefillah, the profound joy of keeping kashrus, and the true love of having a family and being connected to kal Yisrael via the Mitzvohs. Be well and may Hashem bless you and keep you.
You are 1005 correct. Hopefully she will wake up from her indoctrination.
Yes. Reform Judaism is indeed made by a group of people that changed Judaism to fit their agendas. Well done on leaving reform Judaism. May I ask. What are you worshipping those days?
Like Ashkenazi/ Sparhedic Judaism or something else?
Except not everyone is welcome in orthodox circles.
Personally, I see the answer to "Why Reform Judaism" to be: choice through knowledge. Everything else she's saying is her own choice through her own knowledge
Well said
Thank you
I want to know about a lot of Jewish women.
Because I write a novel. The main character is Jewish girl who grow up in Japan. And this is a story about her playing an active as a Japanese pop star (Japanese Idol).
I am Japanese and from Tokyo.
This looks like a troll post. How the hell are you going to write such a magnum opus if you are getting all you material from looking at a pixelated screen ? sounds nuts.
Best of luck. シャローム.
Do you know Israel Jacobson?
Orthodox Judaism does NOT believe that prayer is the only answer. To the contrary, we are instructed to do our part and not expect miracles. Also, we are not supposed to only live for the afterlife. We are to live in this world while also keeping in mind how our decisions can affect our afterlives. It's about finding a balance. We should not shun the physical nature of this world nor should we be fully emersed in it. We need to take the physical from this world and enjoy it in a responsible way.
This is very general, can you be more specific?
I would wish made giur because I love the jewish tradition and my boyfriend is jew but I don't keep kosher, I eat pork meat and sea food. I dont see sense the kashrut law in those days.
I would like to learn bout converting to Judaism (Reform Judaism)
Contact your nearest reform or conservative synagogue and set up an appointment with the rabbi.
Lol 😂 God will never accept you as a Jew, Israel will never accept you as a Jew
Yehudah Hirsch well I guess it’s good that it is between God and I and not you and I! Best wishes and I hope god blesses you.
@@zeqillanes4312 Perfect attitude and response. God accepts you already and the government of Israel will also accept any conversion from a recognized Jewish community, Reform and Conservative are recognized by the State of Israel. Israel accepts my conversion so they will accept yours also. Don't listen to trolls.
True Aryan asshole!
You need to get old Ben Shapiro roll;n along on the subject of Tikkun Olam which gits a mention here in the Anglisky form. If you look up the Episode he did last year on Kammy Harris and Hubby for Channukah he covers that and much else. What is with Kathryn's open neckline... is she trying to get us all Hot and Bothered ? Tim Fidler /NZL
Hot and bothered? I'm sorry but only a sexy woman can do that. This girl is cute but she sure ain't sexy.
@@BigJFindAWay Lizzie Ellen you are overthinking this.. In case you missed it, am having a go at the Reform Jewish hemline rules (none at Shul from what I understand ) and so on. That's the subtext. Fun fact - that episode re Kammy Harris where he tore her to pieces metaphysically - I was so pished at the Israeli embassy in WGTN over some issue - rudeness over phone to me was the basis that I put a copy of it on the website in the Channuaka section - I was waiting for either an email dressing down or to see that they'd taken it down - it is arip roaring critique of a Woke non black who may well take over Sleepy Joe's job.
- you really don't want that on the website of the embassy of another country. However my sand in the gearbox of diplomacy is still there last time I looked. Lightbulb time - Sheldon Fleisher I believe was a character in a Woody Allen movie - perhaps the two are related. ? What film was that ..mmm ulayi Lo (auch). he he..
TEF.
@@F_Tim1961 There seems to be a widespread phenomenon of disrespect for religious institutions. A certain degree of modesty should be required. Where I live the Reform are quite small and the majority of Jews are Orthodox, but that only means Orthodox by affiliation. Most aren't religious, and you'd be scandalized by how many of the young girls--including girls who learn at Jewish schools and should know better--some to shul. To the Orthodox shuls that is. Now to be fair, most of them have the decency to at least stay outside and gossip with the other young girls in miniskirts and the boys in skin tight pants. Now I have absolutely no issue with dressing sexy like this in everyday life, but a house of worship should require some modesty which is why I'm a fan of the long black robes many Eastern Orthodox Christians wear to their churches and the white and/or multi-colored robes that African Christian churches require of their members.
@@BigJFindAWay you might get a kick out of reading something on a different yet somehow related subject - the conversion of Rex Mottram in Brideshead Revisited. A lot of it is in the Granada Film of the same name. Julia's younger sister tells Rex who is a Canadian protestant of some sort about the Pope who made his horse a Cardinal and also about the sacred monkeys that live in the Vatican. Rex takes these stories that he believes hook line and sinker along to some MOnsignor who is instructing him in his conversion - later on this priest visits Julia's mother in a state of some shock because off all the damage that has been done by what's her name...Cecilia perhaps.
it's a bit off topic I know but very amusing . Evelyn Waugh who wrote the book was an Anglo catholic who was parachuted into Tito's Yugoslavia and showed great bravery. He was doing parachute training in his early forties which is quite remarkable but then again it was desperate times for Britain at that time.
And now for something completely different - here's David Cohen describing life in the US army for a Jewish guy (radio operator ) in the middle of WWII . He uses funny turns of phrase for me a commonwealth citizen. He refers at least once to "speaking Jewish " where he means Yiddish.
Perhaps this is how it goes down in New Jersey. There is the story of Izzy and is travails in the US towards the end - it is all very interesting. Cohen the radio operator has died about 2016-19 time. I was looking for this interview again and I come across his Obit on the web. But he had a pretty good innings ; if he were say 20 in 1940 then that gives him a hell of a lot more than his three score years and ten.
czcams.com/video/r5SZTxVzQqs/video.html
0:48 😯
Pew Research has just just done a comprehensive study of American Jewry and the results are absolutely astonishing. Reform now has to share the title of largest movement in American Jewry with Chabad. But Reform is shrinking, Chabad is growing.
That should be for the best.
The Pew Research doesn’t factor in the numbers of people converting to Judaism through the Reform Movement. So it needs to factor that data in to be more accurate and truthful.
@@christo-chaney Except it does...
That's the point of a pew research, it collects data based on what it can gather and what it can gain from polls and interviews and reviews foreign-wise and national-wise.
They already factor the data at the end of the day, and truth be told they are heavily accurate. Most, if not all primary and secondary sources use pew research polls and data for their findings and researches.
@@christo-chaney Yes but the children of those who convert via Reform Judaism don't stay in Reform Judaism any more than the born ethnic Jews do.
@@BigJFindAWay where do you get that from?
I want to convert from Christianity to Judaism. Is Reform Judaism the best sect of Judaism to follow for me ? Watching from London UK. 👍🇬🇧✝️✡️
It's probably a no win game. EG. the Interior ministry of Israel does not recognise such conversions. That's a major major consideration which would lead to serious discrim in every interraction with the GOI and would be almost impossible to set to rights if you were ever to move there. It is also very silly to ask such questions in open fora even if you use a pseudonym to do so. This stuff can come back and bite y'al in the ass years later. Noting on the Internet ever is truly deleted. TE Fidler
Contact the nearest Reform Synagogue and start attending services. Spend time in the community for a while to see if you think the community would be a good fit for you.
@@F_Tim1961 You’re wrong about Israel not accepting Reform conversions. The state does accept reform conversions for purposes of making Aliyah.
I can assure you it's not. Orthodox Jewish conversion is the only conversion that is genuine and true and sticks to the Halacha. Numerous sources say this.
Reform Judaism just picks and chooses and does not go with the true meaning of Rabbinic Judaism.
Orthodox Judaism is the best sect of Judaism for you.
Maybe even Hasidic Judaism, or Conservative Judaism.
I prefer Orthodox Judaism.
@@christo-chaney Yet the Halacha is not followed by them.
So cute.
simp
Kathryn, EVERYTHING you say, is exactly what Rabbi Manis Friedman, the Rebbe, and the Torah say. All Jews (as sometimes sad and frustrating as it is) share the same soul!
Rabbi Manis Friedman and the Torah do not speak of this madness with the reform.
Orthodox Judaism is the only true Judaism, along with the Halacha.
All Jews born to a Jewish mother and who converted accordingly to the Halacha are Jewish.
Not reform and not conservative.
No it’s not
Everything she says is heresy and blasphemy
Reform Judaism is a big sin. Why believing in religions if they are to bs changed by agendas?
sorry but manis’s views contradicts rebbes and torah views.
If judaism has to survive it has to reform itself.
Every religion & philosophy has some good things in it.
Key is how u take it & apply in your life.
Either u become blind follower & ritualistic, or u move towards a deeper understanding of the idea of god echoed by people of direct taste & penetrating insight.
Judaism has to reform itself to survive. can you please explain that?
@@BigJFindAWay
Fundamental Truth & laws of universe doesn't change what changes is our understanding of this TRUTH & laws of nature
One thing i have learned in this world is this, there is nothing static here, every thing changes, every moment there is a new revelation, manifestation & message
"Each moment contains a hundred messages from God."
Rumi
Either we listen to this message coming from the depth of our soul or ignore it,
If u want to understant Moses & his religion & teaching, u have to take it from what has been revealed to moses, & evaluate it as per understanding of today, not from commentaries of this & that rabbi scattered all over Talmud.
I believe in revealed knowledge but now I am not a blind follower of anyone , nor I preach immitation & blind following.
Difficulty is with our preset mindset & ego (fear based self). We are not willing to come out of our safety/comfort zone, break the self created barriers, re-evaluate, re-think ,re-educate & update our understanding in the light of new revealation, new manifestation & latest information available. Rather we are afraid of change.
"Everything about yesterday has gone with yesterday. Today, it is needed to say new things.”
Rumi
As per my understanding problem arises when revealed information is translated or interpreted in another language & u don't have the original manuscript but copies of copies of copies..
Here the Truth gets distorted, misinterpreted, & we get trapped in illogical religious dogma & indoctrination so much that we get veiled from seeing the Truth within.
It seems to me rabbis have made simple religion too much formalistic, ritualistic & legalistic, judaism has lost its original essence & simplicity, with hundreds of invented commandments & thousands of legalities.
This is no more the original religion given to Moses on mount sinai.
@@navsyed4818 1) Yes everything changes and is static. But not God. God is permanent. He doesn't change. And it only makes sense that He would create a Law for us that doesn't change.
2) Kind of interesti
ng you quote Rumi. Rumi was only talking about the world but as a devout Sufi Muslim he would agree that God does not change. Rumi would never agree with your interpretation of his thoughts.
3) Why should we understand the teachings of Moses through the lens of today? Who says today we're where its at? Who says that today we have all the answers? Tomorrow people may look back on today people and laugh at us for our ignorance.
4) I agree that you have to determine for yourself what truth is, which I've done and have come up with the determination that its in the Hebrew Bible. The Rabbinic commentators are there to help us understand the Bible and no they are not always right but where would we be without them? Nowhere. That's why we have to study the commentaries assiduously. And yet the Hebrew Bible on certain things is unambiguous.
5) What do you suppose is the original Judaism of Mount Sinai? For me there are four strong contenders for the title---1) Orthodox Rabbinic Judaism, 2) Karaite Judaism, 3) Samaritanism, 4) Ethiopian Heymanot Judaism. What do all four have in common? A devotion to the Bible as it is written, a determination to live by the Bible's standards not by the standards of today, a clear coherent set of principles that help us understand the Bible and determine what is authentic Judaism, and a set of rules that serve as the constitution for the religion and which are inviolate. It is this framework that keeps these traditions stable and strong, all religions need a framework but Reform hasn't got one which is why its dying. I wish Reform did, but it doesn't.
The same is true in Catholicism and Protestantism. The mainline and liberal traditions within those are dying, the orthodox ones stable or growing.
@@BigJFindAWay
You agreed with me that everything changes except G-d
let's first update our understanding of G-d
here is a question for u to think & reflect upon
Do u seriously believe there exists a God outside you somewhere in the sky sitting on his throne, also is there anything here in our world which is God like, that is infinite, omnipresent & everywhere,
& finally do u seriously believe in religion or u are logical type who believes in reason,logic & science
I will give u my reply later till then enjoy & reflect upon this beautiful & insightful poem
"There is a LIFE-FORCE within your soul, seek that life.
There is a GEM in the mountain of your body, seek that mine.
O traveler, if you are in search of THAT,
Don't look outside, look INSIDE yourself and seek That.
Rumi
@@navsyed4818 You didn't say that you agreed that everything changes except God. You said everything changes and quoted Rumi. But Rumi himself, as a devout Muslim, believes that God doesn't change. And Rumi himself would tell you that God's Law doesn't change.
Do I think there is a God somewhere out there sitting on His Throne? Well the Vision of Ezekiel seems to suggest that there is, but then what does the Throne mean? Its not a giant man with a long beard in the sky, Kabbala has all sorts of insights as to what it means, and Zen-like, it isn't something we can grasp through our own minds.
Now if I'm understanding you correctly, you are telling me that you believe in no God outside of yourself. But how can you believe that God is only in yourself? Does that mean there are 7 billion Gods in this world? What connects us to the universe and to other beings?
You ask me if I believe in religion or in logic, reason, and science. Its a false dichotomy. I can believe in both. Jewish thinkers have long since resolved these issues, and I'm sure Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist etc thinkers have done the same for their own faiths. Western Secular society asks us to choose. But Western Secular society does not dictate to me what I can and can't believe, and especially nowadays that Western Secular society is dying. Not many true Western secularists left, because most of them have been sucked into the most fundamentalistic, ultra-dogmatic, anti-science, anti-reason, anti-logic religion of all.
Once again you quote Rumi. But again, Rumi was only telling people where they can find an encounter with God. Rumi was not saying that this is the only place where you'll find God, but its the best way to find God. Rumi believed in Allah and submitted himself to Him as per the requirements of Islam. You actually can't separate Sufism from Islam. All attempts to try are failures.
So now what I want to know is what does any of this have to do with our discussion of Reform Judaism?
You express a great misunderstanding of Torah Judaism. Respectfully I hope you will learn more. What you propose to love about Judaism is from the Torah and when properly taught maximizes a person’s impact
What you just described could just as easily describe secular humanism. I see nothing specifically Jewish about it.
I agree
Well said!
I'm an Orthodox Jew, and I send you best regards and good luck!
Why? Reform Judaism is non-traditional and strays far from traditional law.
@@cxarhomell5867 Just because it is non-traditional does not mean it is wrong nor bad. Regardless of sect, Jews need to support each other especially in today's era of intense anti-semitism.
@@peytongorshavitzki6933 It does if it ignores all of the traditional tenets and laws and especially oral traditions of the Torah. That means Hashem would not like a person trying to "reform" His teachings. Orthodox Judaism and other forms of Halakhic Judaism are the most traditional in terms of following the Torah, the Talmud, the Mishnah and the Oral traditions. Reform and Conservarive Judaism do not hold any kosher or proper conversions, so they do not have a proper Jewish community. If a person has a Jewish mother, he or she is Jewish.
Agreed, but, in order for that to happen, Jewish people must become more observant to the Commandments, defend themselves and each other, and keep up with their prayers.
@@peytongorshavitzki6933 If it's not abiding to Halacha, it's bad and wrong. "Reform" Judaism is not Judaism.
@Md Miah God has determined what is the right path and what is the wrong path. Us Jewish people are advised to follow the straight path of Hashem, pray, fast, recite, eat correctly, behave correctly, keep Shabbos, observe the Jewish holidays and calendar, and to uphold the Torah and the 613 mitzvot.
If any Jewish person refrains from doing so, then a fire would be lit in their home, and it is said that they will seek the direct consequences in the world to come.
All of this is said in the Talmud and the Tanach. Orthodoxy and the Halacha are two fundamentals of Judaism that would lead any Jew to the correct path.
If you are a gentile, then follow the Seven Commandments of Noah and accept the Torah and Israel, and you will live a good life in this world, and a good life decisions the world to come.
The Duty of God is to protect us from right and wrong, and to observe the faith of Hashem and to follow no one but Him. If we were to ever refuse to do this with the power of free will, then a painful consequence shall await us.
But, only Hashem knows, and He protects us all as long as we worship no one but Him.
That is a take on it.
i was rased christian but i like Reform Judaism
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 the reform movement is more like Christianity without Jesus. Jews don't recognize reform people as Jewish. I am just stating facts not being judgmental or anything
@@maxwellhorwitz4170 you sad that "There are different understandings of how to perform Torah Mitzvot" this is why I said "Christianity without Jesus". as they believe in the old testament but they don't keep its laws. the same way reformers marry non Jews, transgress the laws of sabbath and so on, all in the name of different understandings
@@mcmforever2644 what???? Jews certainly do recognize reform Jews as Jews, and no practice of Judaism is "Christianity without Jesus" that statement is something Jews all find very offensive because Judaism heavily differs from Christianity... Not all reform Jews practice the same.
Please reconsider.
@@cxarhomell5867 huh?
The problem is that you don't really follow the torah. So what really is it?
They follow the Torah, in their own way.
@@Rolando_Cueva I suppose, but i don't understand how because from what i can tell they don't really keep shabbos and other mitzvos. I'm not one of those crazy angry people, I'm just confused.
@@Rolando_Cueva I follow the speed limit and pay my taxes in my own way
@True North I'm glad that you understand my question, but i am still a little confused. I think what i am having difficulty understanding is that we all study the torah, yet certain things like keeping shabbos and certain other mitzvos we don't all do. So that, i think is all i don't understand. Thank you for explaining as much as you have.
@@giladlevitz3283 My understanding that today's reform gives the individual autonomy to pick & choose what is meaningful to him/her if it makes him/her feel a connection to G-d & feel good!!! Having said that I fail to see the difference between reform,unitarian universalism & ethical culturalism
Prayer is how we fight evil.
Sinners prayer in Book of Matthew, that wasn't for God, that was for us. Don't pray as the heathen for they.. .
Living life is tough but eventually through repentance which isn't perfect over time it becomes more obvious how The Lord moves in my life.
In America women have moved to choosing men based on money that they have, community is valued but family values have fallen since 90s.
It is a different world then it was when northern piled into churches the size of a bus to sing gospel music while fighting slavers, the South.
Men and women valued freedom, now they embrace slaverythta will lead to a holocaust worst then that caused by Nazi party.
Hidden persecution and mixed bloodlines may be a cause, in the past and now. If a people repent God will delay judgememt, if a people are trapped in slavery they'll need a miracle.
The slavery now is just another anonymous man or woman paying to see naked ladies on the internet, an it's like a diffrent ice cream, bored and move on. Idk.
Goodness of God should bring a man to repentance.
American communities have gotten hypocritical, sex depraved men that roam about like wild beasts seeking whom they may devour, sounds familiar.
Forgotten shame from the youth, younger generation seems to be easily controlled by sex, imho from prior abuse and iniquity it can manifest outwardly as some scary, over reaching controlling behavior.
Closer I get to leaving my 20s, more clear the wiles of the devil get.
It's a sin to doubt God.
Beginning of wisdom is fear of The Lord
The Lord will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy.
Revelation 21:8
All who call on the name of The Lord shall be saved.
Idk. Lol
Prayers will solve everything God made the Torah over 3000 years ago knowing that the Torah’s laws will work for how ever long we live. God knows everything so stop with the non sense go the way of the Torah not against it
She's pretty 😘
i like be a reform
Don't.
Pew Research has done an in depth study of American Jewry and the results are remarkable. 38% of American Jews have participated in Chabad activities and 40% of those are Chabad members which means that 15% of American Jews are affiliated with Chabad.
What this means is that Reform has been dethroned as the largest movement in American Judaism. That distinction now goes to Chabad.
Reform now has 14% of American Jews and Conservative 11%.
And since Chabad is not all of Orthodoxy or even most of it, we can now safely say that Orthodoxy is now by far the biggest movement in American Jewry.
Nice.
Except that it's not even close to being the biggest. You're making assumptions that aren't real. Just because someone is a member of Chabad they're hardly considered Orthodox observant Jew.
You're confusing Chabad not being the biggest with the numbers of Lubavitcher Hasidim which is not one of the largest Hasidic sects numerically. Satmar, Gur, Bobov, Viznitz, Belz, Klausenburg all have more Hasidim than Lubavitch but Lubavitch has a huge impact on the Jewish world outside of its sect through its shluchim and the Pew study did its work through interviews of a wide cross section of American Jews. They found that 37 or 38 percent of US Jews participate in Chabad activities which I promise you Reform is not even half that. The 15 percent figure is indicative of the percentage that are members of Chabad shuls. Reform has 14 percent, Conservative 11 percent. So as per this study's findings Chabad is indeed the biggest Jewish denomination in America. And the fact that most are not observant makes not an iota of difference. Chabad doesn't view Jews in terms of how religiously observant they are. The Chabad rabbi of the main shul where I live gave a talk once saying two women joined the shul saying, "We're not frum." The rabbi said, "I disagree with these women. They routinely visit the sick, they are very involved in charity, they help the elderly---I think they're VERY frum."
B''H Christ Jesus Amen 🙏🇮🇱. Thank You, Madam Kathryn Fleisher 🙏🇮🇱
Hey....respect that Jews don't believe in Jesus or Yeshua. Very disrespectful of you to attempt to proselytize on sites such as this!
So why reform? You didn't answer your own question even
Kathryn looks GOOD.
i love and support israel god bless israel and the idf im a muslim zionist love
Lol
Whenever I hear one of these testimonies about why Reform Judaism I always get two things:
1) we are Reform because it's not necessary to practice the rituals and have the beliefs that the Orthodox and Conservative feel are so important.
2) we are Reform because we want to make the world a better place.
So what I get is as follows:
1) These Reformers speaking this way define themselves by what they're not rather than what they are.
2) They fail to explain why you need to be Jewish to make the world a better place.
I fail to see the difference between reform,unitarian universalists & ethical culturists,having said that Lisbeth Eleanor I agree with you!!!
@@benyaakov6453 The difference is that Unitarians and Ethical Universalists like eggnog, cream pies, high tea, ballroom dancing, golf, and croquet lawns. Reform Jews like potato kugel, bagels and lox, latkes, klezmer music, hora dancing, and Yiddish humor.
@@BigJFindAWay Besides the food which may or may not be kosher & some cultural differences I still see to see the difference in actual lifestyles & PC SJW way of life.Having said that I respect reform because reform is more intellectually honest than the grossly misnamed "conservative" movement.
@@benyaakov6453 Conservative is a real tragedy. When it started it was very traditional---basically it was a liberal form of Orthodoxy. Many well respected Orthodox rabbis in high places learned at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Many rabbis of Conservative shuls were from strict Orthodox yeshivas. In the 1930s America, half of all Orthodox shuls in America did NOT have mechitzahs, and one third of all Conservative shuls did. Many of the founders of Young Israel were JTS graduates. And the leaders of the Conservative movement---Saul Lieberman, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Louis Finkelstein, Mordecai Waxman---were Torah giants on the same level as the Haredi gedolim. If not even higher.
What went wrong? Was it accommodation to American suburban life? Was it kissing up too much to the rich machers? Whatever it was, especially after the giants passed on, Conservative Judaism was to change and be ruined. I would love to see that movement articulate a clear coherent ideology and set of standards, but I don't see it happening. I think they're finished. Any accomodationist form of religion will kill itself off, especially when it incorporates the corroding influence of wokeness. That's why I see no future for Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, or Renewalist Judaisms.
So the real wild card here is the rejuvenated Modern Orthodoxy of Chovevei Torah. I think they have the potential to be something great, to be what Conservative was supposed to be but that requires that they stick to their guns and not compromise essential Orthodox and Torah beliefs and standards. They could be a tremendous positive force in Judaism. The problem is that wokeness has crept into their movement and is inflicting it. For now, the leadership still remains properly Orthodox, but they need to get rid of whomever is a corrosive influence. For instance, I can't imagine in what universe someone like Shmuly Yanklovitz could possibly be considered Orthodox.
@@BigJFindAWay I agree with you about Yanklowitz ,howevever IMHO Union for Traditonal Judaism is closer to what you are talking about than Chovevei Torah
I love this. Thank you for speaking honestly and clearly. As a modern woman I am actually seeking to learn from women and it is not easy in such a male dominated culture. 🩵
This not biblical
רק ביבי!!!!
Rak Bibi ..and why the hell is that relevant here.. she's much cuter than Bibi. you are just a nutter
@@F_Tim1961 No, she is more misguided than him.
@@cxarhomell5867 I am going to have to let a relative know my password; because I can see this argument going on a long time after I die !! :-))
Bibi has his own problems now .. how to pay off enough people so he can stay out of the prison and a decision as to whether a divorce from MISS PIGGY is worth the effort . TEF
No.
Yeah I don’t have a Dog in the fight because I’m Muslim but reforming your religion again is admitting the Torah isn’t perfect is basically just being Jewish by blood but being half way in faith.
את לא יהודיה. את מחללת השם. את וכל הרפורמים...
You're absolutely not a jew. this is hilul hachem
You can not change the torah according your beliefs. sorry to shatter your beliefs. you're as same as genetiles.