Dear Friends,
This past Sunday, I met with our seventh graders and -- surprise, surprise -- we talked about
Judaism
.
In our previous class, I had pointed out that the word “Jewish” is ambiguous. It is the adjectival form of either “Jew” or “Judaism”: two nouns that are very different. When we talk about
Jews
, we’re talking about individuals or people who are identified as Jews -- yet who may or may not have what we call a “Jewish identity.” When we talk about
Judaism
, we’re talking about a religion, a philosophy, or a way of life associated with the Jewish people -- even though individual Jews may know or care little about it.
I asked the class a simple question -- which isn’t so easy to answer. What would they say, I asked, if they ran into someone who wasn’t Jewish who asked them what Judaism was? How would they explain
the essence of Judaism
? Most students were flummoxed. They really were at a loss to come up with the core beliefs, principles or behaviors that we would associate with Judaism. Eventually, ideas like “There’s only one God,” “Keeping kosher,” “Observing Shabbat” and “the Ten Commandments” came up, but this exercise was a reminder that it’s almost always easier to talk about Jews than to talk about Judaism.
It’s important to do both.
We spent some time talking about religion in general, and its on-going impact in the world. I told my students that, when I was their age, there was a prevailing belief that religion would one day -- perhaps soon -- disappear; that eventually people would realize that they didn’t
need
religion. Scientific explanations would be seen as more reasonable than religious dogma, and eventually, all religious groups would disappear or merge with one another.
Needless to say, that day never came -- and I think we can all agree that there are few signs that it will come soon. Religion has had a far greater impact on the world during the past few decades than many would ever have predicted.
When we think about the role of religion in the world, many of us are inclined to think about
negative
impacts, such as religiously-inspired hatred, intolerance, and terrorism. But religion has also had powerful positive impacts as well. For example, it can and does inspire altruistic behavior. Indeed, many of my students were eager to share examples of things they had done to improve the lot of the world around them. It was gratifying to realize that most of these activities had taken place through the students’ involvement in our synagogue’s youth programs (such as Jr Y@TA USY and TACOS 2.)
As the holiday approaches, let me suggest a few questions that would be worth discussing at your Thanksgiving table:
Are you grateful for being Jewish? If so, why? Has Judaism had a positive impact on your life?
If so, how?
It’s worth sharing your answers with any young people who happen to be at your Thanksgiving feast -- and soliciting their answers as well. After all, children are growing up today in a world characterized by great freedom. Unless the adults in their lives explore and openly express their appreciation for their religious identity and being a part of a religious community, young people may not realize how valuable these can be. And that could naturally lead them to discard such connections.
TO PURSUE THESE QUESTIONS, I would like to recommend a fascinating podcast
on the role of religion in the world today and in the future. The podcast is produced by the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. A few years ago, I was fortunate to be a CLAL Fellow at the Katz Center. I came to learn of the tremendous Jewish scholarship taking place there, and I got to know its director, Professor Steven Weitzman, a creative, thoughtful scholar and writer.
I recommend that you listen to an episode or two.
And then I recommend that
you discuss it, in an age-appropriate way, with everyone around you, including youngsters.
In fact, why not start on Thanksgiving Day?
I’m sure that it will spark many stimulating, enlightening and educational discussions.
I hope so. In the meantime, let me wish you and your families a Happy and a Healthy Thanksgiving!!!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
