The Sky Is Falling... No It's Evolution!

Based on a dessert-based conversation and request, I am going to elaborate on what I meant by 'evolution is inevitable' in the context of Judaism (or culture/religion in general):

'One day folks will realize that the true demise of a culture comes when that culture refuses to adapt, grow and change to its new environment. Evolution is inevitable. If synagogues and Jewish 'leaders' in the community continue to ostracize Jews for falling in love with people who aren't Jewish, the culture will eventually die out.'

There exist patterns in the universe. The way our ancestors have interacted with these patterns have altered our DNA. For example, Michael Jordan has developed himself as an exceptional basketball player. His mental sharpness, his ability to move a certain way both on and off the court has now become part of his DNA. He will pass that on. The way our parents move, affects the way we move.Now on to Judaism (culture, religion, etc).

Up until the 1840s, all Jews were Orthodox. Moving over to Canada and the US, suddenly we have the advent of the reform movement. Why? Because new world, different environment, Judaism adapted. Now in the 21st century, living in an increasingly mixed society, our minds are shifting. We don't live in a cultural vacuum. We are exposed to other possibilities, possibilities that can only serve to enrich and enhance how we already perceive ourselves vis-a-vis Judaism.

I have friends or family members who's only Jewish connection is hanging out with other family members. In fact my best friend who's Catholic probably knows more Hebrew words and has probably attended more seder's at this Cowgirl's house than many of the 'tribe'. This is evolution. Her kids will be exposed to this knowledge. They will be exposed to me. It's Judaism, but different than our parent's Judaism.The more insular we become, the less we are able to grow our culture in our minds and hearts in a healthy and positive way that brings us joy and brings us closer to the true knowledge of the universe.

Judaism is not a synagogue. It is not simply the Torah or dipping apples in honey on Rosh Hashana, it comes from within and it comes from our connection to the universe, this place where we dwell.The more institutional we become, the less we are in fact acquainted with Judaism (or any culture). To think otherwise is foolish and a large part of the reason of why people continue to move away from the culture in droves. The more we learn about others on earth, other cultures, traditions, the more we enrich our own. This is evolution.

My kids won't have a 5 hour seder. But they will learn about the story of Exodus and how it is linked to the circular pattern of oppression. For example: people kidnapped and sold into slavery from Africa, women in 3rd world countries helping 1st worlders live more comfortable lives, etc. The story of Exodus means nothing without modern day context. Why do we mourn for ancestors who were slaves 5000 years ago when we say nothing about the genocide in Sudan or young boys being forced to kill in Uganda?

We will never evolve as humans if we cannot see these connections in things.I'm not a religious person, but I have always believed in the story of the Tower of Babel. This is our test now. Societies have lived a part for so many millenniums. We're being tested to see if we can evolve together.

Now I feel rambley and it's time for sleep-land. Bonne Nuit :-)

Kvetch: About the 'keep it in the tribe' gaggle

One of my real inspirations to start my own blog came from reading blogs this past year, many of whom purport the whole 'keep it in the tribe' philosophy. A few days ago, I came upon this The Urban Kvetch:

http://estherkustanowitz.typepad.com/myurbankvetch2005/2006/02/an_open_letter_.html#comment-63568154

Yet another attack on 'good Jewish boys who've gone to the other side' (meaning hooking up with a *gasp* non-Jewish girl). I'm really sick of all the kvetching about people ruining the Jewish culture because they are falling in love with and building lives with people outside the 'tribe'.One day folks will realize that the true demise of a culture comes when that culture refuses to adapt, grow and change to its new environment.

Evolution is inevitable.

If synagogues and Jewish 'leaders' in the community continue to ostracize Jews for falling in love with people who aren't Jewish, the culture will eventually die out. My living with a Muslim man does not make me any less Jewish. We share our deepest set of values that I have never found in anyone else (Jewish or otherwise).

Love doesn't come in a webpage package or a circumcision or a Jewish middle name. It doesn't come in going to synagogue or keeping kosher. Those things are all secondary to the simple rule: do you connect with this other person on a real personal, intimate, deep-down, life-affirming connection kind of way?When you look into this person's eyes does it make your heart beat just a little bit faster? When this person says something, does it connect with you somewhere deep down in your soul a place you never realized existed within you? Can you picture yourself living with and loving this person for the rest of your life, even if they don't know where the laundry basket is, even if they never wash their dishes? Is there just something about that other person that completes you?

Yes people, this is love!

Can 2 people be Jewish and be in love? Of course. But that cannot be the only factor, it will never be enough, it will never survive!Can a Muslim man and a Jewish woman raise beautiful loving children together who are open to the universe, to their cultures and traditions and who can grow to understand the multiplicity and greatness of all things? Yes of course!Will this relationship mean the death of Judaism? No. It is the evolution of Judaism. It is a new interpretation. It will eventually hopefully mean the death of wars and hatred which stems from differences and misunderstandings that stem from those differences. The more people in this universe meld mingle and mix, the more we will come to understand one another.

I will fight until the day I die this kind of kvetching, this ignorance put forth by fear mongerers that all _________ people should hook up with all ___________ people.

End the fear mongering now. Spread the love. Connect with people because you feel deep in your bones that you cannot live without them in your world, not because your parents are telling you to hook up with someone of your own culture.

End the fear. Stop the hate. Spread the love.