Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews, why are you the movement you are?

OK, first you are correct: Orthodox Judaism does not recognize Reform and Conservative conversions as valid. Having said that, each movement at least considers its *own* conversions valid. So if Reform Judaism feels right for you, and you don't ever intend to move to Israel under the Law of Return, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally, my family has always been Jewish as far back as we've been able to trace (7 or 8 generations), but my parents are Reform so that's what I grew up with. I'm becoming more and more observant in my practices, however. I know that this answer doesn't help; maybe a better way to say it is that my level of observance, to me, provides me with what I consider to be a satisfactory path to the Divine. I think it's hard to become completely Orthodox after living a Reform/Conservative lifestyle given the many things that have to change--especially in regards to shomer Shabbos (really keeping the Sabbath). Keeping kosher is easier--and I'm steadily moving in that direction. Maybe, with time...

My parents belonged to a Reform synagogue so that's where I went, naturally. There are some great things about it; for instance, because men and women can sit together, families can enjoy the service without having to be separated, which is lovely. In addition, Reform is a way for some people who otherwise would have no affiliation to the Jewish community to remain connected.

That said, I have recently visited several other synagogues. I find that Reform can sometimes lack the 'atmosphere' that you often find at a more Orthodox synagogue.

You should also bear in mind that some so-called Othodox Jews will attend their synagogue - but will drive there and drive back on the shabbat! The reason I know this to be true is that there is an Orthodox synagogue one minute away from where I live and I watch the cars pull up!!!

Equally, you can be a Reform Jew and still have a good grasp of the religion. I answered a question on this site a few weeks back that was posted by a very religious Jew. Several Orthodox Jews answered and, after some hesitation, I decided to reply as well. I felt that the answer was very specific and a matter of black and white. To my surprise, I got 'best answer' - it was in a way a special one for me because as a Reform Jew I 'proved' I understood the very essence of my faith just as much if not more than more religious people! I was able to cite a principle of Judaism that nobody else even mentioned. So just because Orthodox Jews follow more of the rules does not automatically mean that they have more compassion or sincerity.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I find it highly frustrating when some Jews claim that theirs is the only 'true' Judaism.

Just because somone is Orthodox does not make them a better person.

I think you should look into each of the movements and then choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. Even if you start with Reform, presumably at a later date you could study further and fulfill the Orthodox criteria - ask about this.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe that He revealed Himself to the Jewish Nation at Mount Sinai and gave them a Torah? Do you believe that He gave them the directions to this written Torah? If so, you can consider Orthodox conversion. For Orthodox Jews, Judaism not just a religion, is a way of life. It requires you to devote your entire existence to living by a code of laws.

I am a Jew-by-birth and Orthodox by choice. I slowly moved from a conservative home to my Orthodox practices because I believe that it would be inconceivable that God would have given us a Torah without the script of how to fulfill His word. There are too many points that are stated in the Torah without their definition. Therefore,either He gave us a work that is vague or He gave us details in the Oral Law. Only Orthodox Jews truly believe that He gave us both the written and oral law. The Reform don't even believe that He gave us the written. The Conservative believe that the religion should constantly change based on whatever their congregants can relate to and observe. That sounded too wishy-washy for me to consider a valid observance.

There are a few groups of people involved in conversion. Some only Orthodox, others non-denominational. Why don't you join a few and see where you want to head. Take your time. If it's right for you, you will convert.

Good luck!

Each of us finds our own "comfort level" with regard to Jewish observance. I was raised a Conservative Jew, with one set of grandparents who were Orthodox and the other set non-observant. I remain, of choice, a Conservative Jew, although I keep some mitzvot my parents did not, and do not keep some they did.

Some Jews find Reform Judaism liberating, others find it arid. Some Jews find Orthodox Judaism solid and comforting, others find it stifling. There is room for all of us under the broad tent of Avinu Avraham.

As you learn more about Judaism, you'll find your niche in the branch which feels right for you. But your degree of commitment to living halachicly may evolve over the course of your life, so it's often recommended to obtain an Orthodox conversion so your status will never be questioned. I knew a Jew-by-choice who had become more and more observant over the years; he had undergone three conversion-processes, each more "kosher" than the one before, as his personal belief-system drew him more and more towards Orthodox Judaism.

Baruch Ha-Ba'a! Welcome to the tribe, feel comfortable with your own choices, and ignore hecklers like Paddy.

the fast answer is easy. Jewishness is a an ethnicity, a nationality, AND a faith. the least perplexing way for Western cultures to appreciate this, is to bear in mind that throughout the time of the formative days of Judaism, the fashionable theory of the countryside did no longer exist. The dominant social employer previous the kinfolk unit became the tribe. in case you recognize the Jewish people as a tribe, it is easy to work out that: - maximum Jews are Jewish because of the fact they have been born into the tribe. - The Jewish faith is the dominant cultural characteristic that binds tribe individuals at the same time - it is achievable, yet very perplexing, to be totally familiar into the tribe with the help of following a adequate style of cultural (religious) practices, decrease than the professional auspices of a known formal chief (ie/Orthdodox Jewish Rabbi) traditionally, Jews have been defined as a race (0.33 Reich Germany) and a nationality (u.s.). English conversing westerners are greater the exception than the rule, as our secular lifestyle has made faith and nationality plenty greater different from one yet another to a greater physically powerful degree than previous worldwide cultures.

I was born and a still practicing Orthodox Jew. Orthodox Judiasm is the most authentic form of Judiasm, but it is really extreme and converting to Judiasm is something you should do only if you really want to because it will be a complete life turn around.

I am orthodox,(something I chose to become once I was all grown-up), and my family ranges from reform to unaffiliated. They think I am crazy, but I love being orthodox!

The reason I love it is for its depth and meaning. I have tried reform and conservative, but I found both to be shallow, self-righteous, self-centered, and undisciplined.

Orthodox Judaism teaches one how to be unselfish, how to be more spiritual and "other-centered", as I like to call it, which is why I love being an Orthodox Jew.

A true Jew is one who believes in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Did you know it was God's intention to make the Jews a nation of Priests to bring the Good News to the whole world? That is why He chose them from the nations of the world. But they rejected Him, and when He was born to them from the linage of kings, they still did not recognize Him.

So because of this He went to the Gentiles and gave them this gift of eternal life, they accepted Him. He then said, this will carry on until the time of the Gentiles is over, but He never forgot His first love the Jews, and right now the door for the Gentiles is about to be closed and the door for the Jews be opened. God still loves them very much, but they must call on the one who comes in the name of the Lord. In Zackariah 13 we read,"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them of sin and impurity." And further we read about the Jews looking at the one that came to them (Jesus Christ) at His scarred and pierced body and said to Him, 'Who did this to you" and He replies, I received this in the house of my friends.

If you are looking to become a true Jew then you must be born again by the gospel of the water and the Spirit, the everlasting gospel Jesus told Nicodemus about in John 3:5.

Oouch! the truth hurts!!!!