Ashkenazi movements vs. Sephardic identity (religious, reject, Israel)
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From what I understand in the reading I've done over the years and in talking to a few friends who come from Sephardic backgrounds, many Sephardic communities don't recognize different movements like we see in here in the US. Basically, everyone is "just" Jewish with different levels of observance.
Is that an accurate representation in y'all's experience?
Is that an accurate representation in y'all's experience?
I don't know what you mean by y'all's experience, but yes, that's the way it is with Sefardim, as it has been with ashkenazim until the reform movement came on the scene.
Outside of the US there are different levels of being Orthodox. From the Israeli POV, all Jews are Jews (outside of Messianic) that go from secular (Orthodox ultra-lite) to Haredi (Orthodox ultra religious).
Is that an accurate representation in y'all's experience?
I like saying y'all also since I'm a southern too But to answer your question, depending which one you are says a lot of what one's traditions are and what they want to follow. For instance if your Ashkenazi you would not eat beans for Passover (I think) but for a Sephardic they would eat beans.
but yes, that's the way it is with Sefardim, as it has been with ashkenazim until the reform movement came on the scene.
That's what I had thought, and I wish it was far more prevalent in our communities. Personally, I find it to be a better system than dividing ourselves into different movements and then proceeding to bad mouth each other for belonging to one group or another.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pruzhany
Outside of the US there are different levels of being Orthodox. From the Israeli POV, all Jews are Jews (outside of Messianic) that go from secular (Orthodox ultra-lite) to Haredi (Orthodox ultra religious).
We've had a few Israeli visitors to our synagogue recently, and I've learned quite a bit. I've always been open about being a convert, and was pretty surprised when an orthodox Israeli visitor asked me to part of a minyan so he could recite kaddish for his father. Another chided me for even mentioning that I was a convert after it came up in a discussion about family traditions. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting (and that's a good thing).
That's what I had thought, and I wish it was far more prevalent in our communities. Personally, I find it to be a better system than dividing ourselves into different movements and then proceeding to bad mouth each other for belonging to one group or another.
This wasn't a fight Torah observant Jews picked, my friend. Read up on some Jewish history.
This wasn't a fight Torah observant Jews picked, my friend. Read up on some Jewish history.
That has absolutely nothing to do with my topic. Please keep the bickering that has become characteristic of so many discussions here out of my thread.
That has absolutely nothing to do with my topic. Please keep the bickering that has become characteristic of so many discussions here out of my thread.
JB, I think Iwish confirmed your OP in the second post of this thread. But I do think its relevant that the Ashkenazi would be likely similar to Sephardim in a lack of Jewish denominations had the Hashkala never happened. It's a shame we have denominations of Judaism at all. It would be better if we all just observed the Torah at whatever level we are capable, yet all agree that the Torah is our "water" and without it we can't exist. Sadly, many Jews outright reject the Torah, and as the Pew report showed, think Judaism is only about gefilta fish.
JB, I think Iwish confirmed your OP in the second post of this thread. But I do think its relevant that the Ashkenazi would be likely similar to Sephardim in a lack of Jewish denominations had the Hashkala never happened. It's a shame we have denominations of Judaism at all. It would be better if we all just observed the Torah at whatever level we are capable, yet all agree that the Torah is our "water" and without it we can't exist. Sadly, many Jews outright reject the Torah, and as the Pew report showed, think Judaism is only about gefilta fish.
At this point, I'm not too concerned what you deem relevant.
The nonstop bickering and disparaging of fellow Jews on this board is making it truly depressing place to post. There are topics that have merit and are of value to all of us that should be discussed here, but anytime honest dialogue is attempted someone decides to bash those who think differently. I agree that we would probably be better off without denominations, but I don't think that would change the animosity and outright hatred that some have for their fellow Jews.
Since you think Iwish sufficiently answered my question in his initial post, do you have anything on-topic to add?
I hope all is well with you, JB. Sorry if I upset you in any way.
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