Comments on: Orthodoxy and Diversity: How Open Should Our Communities Be?

By: Juliane Dharna

Juliane Dharna — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:36:23 +0000

Though Garnel makes interesting points about accommodation and dilution, his tone, to my way of thinking, is abrasive, which prevents me from focusing on the deeper passion he’s invested in his comment, i.e., I must work too hard to locate his love of Judaism. In fact, what endures from what he writes is that “being welcoming” and “having standards” are mutually exclusive. I couldn’t disagree more, and I regret that I am left with this understanding.

I agree with Rabbi Shafner that “embracing” and “approving” are not the same thing–and my life’s goal is in accord: to do what I can with what I have (a growing passion for Torah) to attain the ideal of an ever-evolving, ever-closer relationship with G-d and that, in this, I provide for my children a worthy example for them to return to.

Regarding Chabad, I’m puzzled by the assessment of exclusivity since my experience teaches that the Chabad community is wide-open welcoming. And my origin is not Orthodox.

By: Hyim Shafner

Hyim Shafner — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:41:52 +0000

Garnel
I think if our embracing of all Jews (not the same as approving of all they do) is combined with a strong passion for Torah we will not end up with a parave Judaism but a vibrant one. How is it different from Chabad? Not very different, indeed I have great admiration for and appreciation of Chabad. The difference is being able to see the strengths in all people and groups as they are. I agree all people should grow in their relationship to God; but the breadth of Chabad’s vision with regard to different groups of Jews, different spiritual tools and people who see the world and Judaism decidedly different than themselves is limited. I don’t think the difference between Morethodoxy and Chabad is so vast though with regard to this.

By: Garnel Ironheart

Garnel Ironheart — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:02:15 +0000

The problem with accomodation is that it can lead to dilution. In an effort to make everyone welcome, it is inevitable that compromises will have to be made, sometimes important ones.
One could welcome an intermarried couple to shul but deny the Jewish partner honours during the service. Or one could give them honours but then what does that say about the shul’s position on intermarriage? That it’s acceptable?
Any self-confident organization has an ability to say: We have standards. If you don’t meet them, then we can’t accept you. We’re sorry that you feel rejected but we don’t want to compromise those standards.
An example of how successful this approach can be is Chabad.
In the end, if accept everyone equally then you stand for nothing. And if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for everything.

By: dharnajuliane

dharnajuliane — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:13:34 +0000

Rabbi, your response is attentive and compassionate, as always. I am glad to know you.

By: Pearl Mattenson

Pearl Mattenson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:27:41 +0000

This resonates very deeply wtih the way I would like to live my life and the way in which I understand the implications of our being created in the divine image. I look forward to more fully developed ideas about the importance of this issue in our tradition and welcome the stories of powerful guides like Rabbi Magence. Kol hakavod.

By: Hyim Shafner

Hyim Shafner — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Part of the question is how to accept people. Sometimes we don’t really accept them but what we want them to be, ie more observant Jews. Perhaps first and maybe only we need to accept them as the people they are.

By: Lilee

Lilee — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:15:20 +0000

Certainly over the last many years we have seen that sitting shiva or excommunicating an intermarried spouse serves know productive purpose. It only inflames and causes antagonism.

Why not try bringing both closer to Judaism in a positive manner?