By Didi Poliak
Rabbi Leon Morris’s session was one of the best yet. As a Reform Jew, it was very nice to hear from someone who grew up with a similar background to myself. I got many things out of Rabbi Morris’s session, but perhaps the most interesting thing to me were his comments about Judaism, specifically Reform Judaism, in America. I really enjoyed that Rabbi Morris tackled some topics that are contradictory, but also many things that I have thought about in the past. I have always felt slightly self-conscious when I identify myself as a Reform Jew in a room full of Jews of all denominations. My biggest fear is that people from other backgrounds or denominations will think that I am less Jewish than they are. While I know that I strongly value my Judaism and my Jewish identity, this has always been a struggle for me. Rabbi Morris kind of put this worry to rest, as he explained that just because a person identifies as a Reform Jew, does not mean that he or she is any less religious, observant, or Jewish as someone who identifies as Conservative, Orthodox, or any other denomination. Rabbi Morris’s session was great to listen to as well as very inspiring!
