What Kind of Jew Am I?

by Suzanne Sadowsky

Several times a month I get phone calls from people who have heard about the Congregation and want more information about us -- who and where are we, what do we do, etc.

One question that often comes up has to do with what kind of Jews we are. Are we Reform?, Conservative?, Orthodox?, Reconstructionist?, Renewal? I usually say that we are unaffiliated, that our members vary in practice and background -- some are quite traditional while others are mainly secular -- but want to be part of a Jewish community.

As a congregation we have thus far not characterized ourselves or identified with any of the major branches of Jewish organization, although I suspect that, if pressed, I would say that we have mainly Reconstructionist or Renewal leanings.

The "decision" not to affiliate can be looked at in various ways. On the one hand it provides the opportunity for us to define for ourselves -- both individually and as a congregation -- what being Jewish really means, and it encourages inclusiveness and diversity. On the other hand, by not following a set of guidelines, one could ask if we are being too loose in our definition of Jewish belief, identity, and practice. Could the meaning of "being a Jew" become blurred or fuzzy when thinking of oneself as an unaffiliated or generic Jew, or a Jewish Buddhist, or a Jewish Humanist, or a secular Jew or for some a Judeo-Christian?

What are the criteria of Jewish identity? Could the "fuzziness" ultimately lead to a situation where there were no Jews? And what difference would that make? In many ways this is a very personal question, but is it also a community question? What about Jewish continuity?

I like to think of myself as being a universalist with a broad sense of connectedness with humankind regardless of nationality, creed, ethnicity, or religion. But I also know that I have a strong Jewish identity. I experienced the events of my life as a Jew. I see the world with Jewish eyes, from the perspective of the collective, historical Jewish experience.

I don't agree with the notion that characterizes Jews as an ethnic group or a race. That is an idea that is inconsistent with historical or current day fact. But we are a distinct people and I would like to see us survive.

I was born into Judaism, but I still consider myself to be a Jew by choice; that is, I choose to identify as a Jew and to be part of a Jewish community and to seek levels of Jewish practice, learning and observance within that context. That is a choice that is open to anyone who chooses that path regardless of birth or parentage. It can be a deep, rich and complex spiritual, philosophical and social path.

—from our May 1996 Newsletter

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