Embracing the Potential Jews by Choice

In Israel, I have met several non-Jews who are interested in exploring Judaism only to be discouraged by the local religious authority. Statistics point out that American Jews marry someone who is not Jewish 47% of the time. Some convert, some don’t. Some choose to raise the children with dual faiths and to “let the child decide”. Jews are a dwindling minority in the States. This is a reality of the Jewish communities and must be addressed. Tradition (not Jewish law) will have rabbis attempt to shun or discourage potential converts. Aggressive prevention does not work and only makes intermarrieds feel shamed and pushed away. The feelings of sadness and having a defector from the tribe must be transformed into embracing a potential Jew who has married into the family.

Prosthelytizing, evangelism, marketing... We should expose Judaism to the public as a valid option for spiritual fulfillment. Too often, our Jewish humor crosses the line from modesty to humility to self-disdain. Judaism is too demanding. “We look different, Jews are too weak. Israel is too strong…” We must start with an air of confidence. If we cannot be confident in today’s society, we likely will never be. Judaism is a religion of action. To fulfill our mission of being a light unto the nations, Judaism should be gift to the world, part of tikkun olam. To accomplish this, we must abandon our medieval ghetto outlook on life. Jewish history did not begin in the 17th century with the beginnings of Chassidism. Ritual observance, social interaction, and liturgy have evolved over time and should continue to evolve.

In the past, most people in this country followed the faith and cultural identity of their parents. Now, religious and ethnic loyalties are more often a matter of choice. The switching of religions is commonplace now. Jews may choose to be Christian or Buddhist and must therefore, now choose to be Jews. Judaism must become attractive to born Jews so that they do not decide to leave and to non-Jews so that they will choose to join. We must welcome all who enter the shul and facilitate their participation in Judaism. We know how Jews by Choice embrace the culture, religion, traditions, and rituals. Jews who were not born Jewish may be the best way to motivate the born Jew to actually become involved in Jewish life.

This is not to say that there should not be rituals, studying, and commitment to those that wish to pursue the Jewish indoctrinization. I explain that Judaism is more of a tribe or nation that is much like the Cherokee nation. One cannot pitch a tent next to the teepees and say that they are a Cherokee. They have to prove their commitment and loyalty. They may have to kill a bear, do work detail, and show their knowledge of their customs. They may even need to do some sort of bodily mutilation, pearcing, tattooing, etc.

Survival and circling the wagons is not growth. As a dwindling minority, we must look toward embracing the potential convert and showing the value of Judaism as a deeply fulfilling way of life. The goal is to obtain more Jews that are more committed, more observant, and more highly identified. Judaism is a worthwhile option. Imagine 36 million Jews on the planet, most of whom are committed to fulfilling the mitzvot; most of whom were not born Jewish and transformed their identity to commit to living a Jewish life.