Conservative Judaism

There is certainly a perception that being a Conservative Jew is, somehow, more Jewish than being a Reform Jew. For instance, when I converted 25 years ago, I did it in a Conservative mikvah in Chicago, instead of the Reform one in Indianapolis. This was because my husband's parents thought it would count more in Israel. (Of course, it really wouldn't.)

To me, what the Shma readings reflect is that there is a lot of uncertainty about what a Conservative Jew is. Does a Conservative Jew have to follow the law? Or can they really interpret for themselves? And there is confusion about whether a woman should be a rabbi, or whether gays have equal rights within the movement.

The one thing they agree is important is that Jews see belonging to a Jewish group as vital, interesting -- something that helps them live their everyday lives in a better way and engages their imaginations.


I like what one letter-writer said -- that the movement would have to create a more persuasive reason for Jews to be Conservative in coming generations -- because only the past generation found a reason in the "nostalgic baggage" they carried.

I think being a Conservative Jew might be a comfortable compromise for someone from an Orthodox background -- a way to feel really Jewish without having to actually be as strict as the Orthodox.