Reform Judaism

I've grown up as a Reform Jew.  Ever since the days of Mommy & Me at my synagogue in Los Angeles, CA, I've been a Reform Jew, or at least of what I remember.  I did it all - Sunday School, Hebrew School, Bat Mitzvah, post-Bat Mitzvah education, all the way to confirmation.  I also attend a URJ affiliated camp in Northern California, Camp Newman-Swig.  

In class today, we talked a lot about the website reformjudaism.org, and how it depicts Reform Judaism.  A quote that was brought up was "choice through knowledge," one which I think is very important when discussing what Reform Judaism is and how it is important to understanding the overall concept of Judaism in America.  Many believe that the reason why the Reform movement is so large is due to the fact that so many people can find one small thing to relate to, and automatically decide Reform Judaism is the path for them; however, I think differently.  Even though I grew up in the Reform movement, I think a huge part of deciding if Reform Judaism is the best choice for me is education behind the ideals of Reform Judaism.  There is so much that Reform Judaism has to offer, yet people really have to understand it and not just assume it's the right thing for them.

When living on the Jewish Studies FIG last year, I encountered some people who doubted my own religious beliefs.  They truly didn't understand how I could be a Reform Jew and do things I do to celebrate and practice Judaism.  I do understand they have different morals and beliefs, but what really struck me was how they seemed so ignorant to the idea that Reform Judaism has a lot to offer.  I truly appreciate the fact that while many of us in this class have different religious beliefs, we still respect each other for doing things differently.  Reform Judaism is not a bad thing or is not the wrong way to go - it's a more liberal, modern way of Judaism that has to be accepted by individuals, and the larger community.