A Different Kind of Judaism

Reconstructionist, Renewal and Cultural Judaism are 3 types of Judaism that very few people have ever heard of - and if people have heard those terms before, chances are they have no idea what each one means.

Reconstructionist Judaism was under the ideals of Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan in 1955, and it focus on the idea that it is essential to base Judaism off of folklore and how people currently work and act, hence creating unique ways of looking at Judaism.  Renewal Judaism was founded in 1962 by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, who aimed to bring a larger idea of spirituality and artistry to Judaism, through mediums such as dance, music and social action.  Cultural Judaism, which is also known as Secular or Humanist Judaism, is the more recent "phenomenon" of Judaism, which opened its first center around 5 years ago.  Cultural Judaism sees religion as part of Judaism, but not as the one thing that determines what makes someone or something Jewish; therefore, preaching to those who might not practice Judaism on a religious basis.

A question that was brought up throughout class today was "What makes these groups Jewish?  Why do we identify them as Jewish if they don't necessarily believe in the things we believe in?"  It is essential to look at these groups and appreciate what they believe, not try to find all the faults they have.  These different groups, movements or whatever term you feel most appropriately fits them, celebrate being Jewish in different ways.  It does bring up the question of what makes one person "more Jewish" than the next, but in reality, people will always believe in different things.  And instead of putting them down, embrace what they have to offer.