By Aaron Torop
What actually happened at Sinai? How do these questions impact the way we think about Jewish theology today and the role of the movements in Judaism? We elevated these questions and others during Cohort Three’s Opening Conference at Rabbi Zeff's Shabbat afternoon session called “The Ideology of Movements.”
Throughout the hour-long session, we discussed what version of revelation each member of the cohort believes, and how different movements of Judaism “officially” understand revelation. As we each identified which statement we believed in, we found Orthodox participants identifying with the Reform version of revelation, Conservative participants identifying with the Reconstructionist version, and every other variation imaginable.
While these questions are rarely on the forefront of most of our minds, the answers may have profound implications on how Jewish life is organized today and what it means for the future. As a cohort, we are committed to continuing and strengthening the North American Jewish experience, whether through theology, writing, journalism, art, business, Israel advocacy, politics or more. For many of us, we may choose to join, lead, change, or even create “movements” of Judaism. What does it mean for the future of Jewish movements if individuals within it do not subscribe to the official theological stance? Are we supposed to leave a movement we disagree with theologically? If not, what is the role of theological beliefs as an organizing principle of Judaism?
Taking a step back from these very large questions, it may seem trite to mention that of course not every rabbi or leader, let alone layperson, subscribes to every single position of the movement to which s/he belongs. The reasons that one might go to a URJ Camp, a Schechter Day School, or a Modern Orthodox yeshiva may be completely separate from ideology.
Yet, I believe these “contradictions” help create the heart of how Jewish life is organized, today and in the future. We are committed to our institutions, organizations, and movements even when we may not agree. Even without being committed to ideology, the sense of community and purpose binds us together. This connection is what I believe will continue to be a wellspring of strength, innovation, and continuity for the Jewish community well into the future.
On this program, and throughout our time on Nachshon, we have gotten to learn about the organizations, movements, and experiences that have connected us to the Jewish community at large. We have rejoiced in our positive experiences, commiserated our negative ones, and committed ourselves to working to create this sense in the broader Jewish community.
We are at a point in Jewish life where the options couldn’t be greater. Each organization and community, within, between, and outside of the movements has their own unique theological underpinnings, organizing principles, values, and goals. Yet, it seems everyday there is a new need unfilled, a new idea not brought to fruition. May our diversity of belief and action not cause friction, but instead be the source of a strength for the continuation and strengthening of Jewish life.
