Why are references important when we submit work?

The reason we need references is so that we can see where you have got things that we don't recognise or understand, and if necessary check them out.

Sometimes we learn new information by this means, but sometimes the source has been misunderstood or misinterpreted, or, more likely, it is something out on the fringes and certainly not the main or standard reason or explanation, and in the absence of the main or straightforward understanding, it simply gives a skewed, or, to be frank, wrong or at best quite incomplete, explanation.

The more reading (and watching movies, documentaries etc) you do, the fuller and more rounded picture you will build up - PROVIDED they are from a variety of different viewpoints around the main and straighforward understanding.   Unfortunately a large amount of material on the internet is from a very traditional/mystical perspective (Chabad etc).  This neither represents the majority of Jews in the world today, nor mainstream Jewish thinking.  So if you read lots of this, it will not help you get a more rounded picture - on the contrary.  

The two core books for our Introduction to Judaism courses are 'A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century' and 'Living Judaism' (both available from Amazon.com in hard or electronic versions, or from lbc.org.au.) They establish the centre of gravity, belief and understanding for our courses and for Progressive Jewish approaches.  Within that frame, the first is somewhat more liberal (in the original meaning of the word!) and the second is more conservative, so it is already describing a range.

The third and key core book is the prayer book 'Mishkan T'filah, World Union Edition'. Reading and absorbing these three, making notes and annotating favourite and striking parts of them, will set you up very well for understanding Judaism from a modern, Progressive perspective.  

Where is the Mysticism?

There is mystery and Spirituality in our Progressive Jewish approach, but perhaps not as much 'Mysticism' as you might expect or feel is suitable for your needs.

A student on the course once wrote me an angry and anonymous letter saying 'The Lubavitch Rebbe had more spirituality in his little finger than you have in your whole body'.  But she continued the course, owned up to the letter and apologised, confirmed her Jewish status with us, and has been involved for some years.  Just recently something caused her to recall this episode - she wrote to me 'I remember what I wrote to you - I'm glad you forgave me.  I did not understand then what I do now about Judaism'.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Dear Rabbi,

I contacted you at the beginning of last year with an enquiry about conversion. I live in country Victoria.  I have some Jewish heritage in previous generations but I didn't get any formal Jewish education. My family's fear of the Holocaust resulted in us being the first generation to fully assimilate.

I am still interested in conversion and have been studying The Torah and some of the many (Orthodox) books that unravel the beauty and secrets in its pages, including some books on Kabbalah. I would like to learn more as I am confused about where Progressive leaves Orthodox in regards to the 613 Commandments. I would like to do the online learning you offer, and also I would like to attend some services this year. 

I have downloaded some of the books suggested in your study program and look forward to reading them. I now realise that conversion is something I would like to strive for. Falling in love with God is indescribable.  I am sending the second free introductory assignment.

Thank you for your time

Julia

Rabbi Jonathan responds:

Dear Julia,

I do apologise for the delay in responding to your email.  This is nothing at all to do with being unwelcoming and all to do with my being overloaded, and with the number of enquiries I now receive because of our on-line presence, and the number of people in various situations, including those not dissimilar to yours.

I have received your letter and was very impressed with your work on assignment two, though there was rather more information about the mystical/kabbalah than you will get on our course.  Strangely if you find a Jewish bookshelf in a bookshelf it seems to be mainly filled with two subjects, Kabbala and Holocaust, neither of which are the main teachings or practices of Judaism.  But I appreciate that you understand that your information is mainly from orthodox (actually very orthodox) sources.

The key distinction to understand (and I think you do) is that the Jewish world is split into two religious parts – those who believe God literally gave Torah, and it is therefore ‘TRUE and inerrant’ and the rest of us, who have various ways of understanding (God may have given some of it but some is human, or it is ‘divinely inspired’ but human written, or it is ‘just the ancient story of our people’).  The first category is orthodox/ultra-orthodox and (perhaps) some modern orthodox.  The second category includes ‘Progressive’ (the umbrella term for ‘non-orthodox’, including Liberal, Reform and Reconstructionists), Conservative/Masorti and most modern orthodox (who choose to be fairly strictly observant, but recognise it is their choice and there are others – perhaps members of their own family - who choose to live their lives and Judaism differently – and are non-judgmental about them, and will even find ways to attend their homes, celebrations, funerals etc).  Some Jews who consider themselves ‘Secular’ might actually have some religious/spiritual feeling and sensitivity, but call themselves ‘secular’ because they reject the traditional ‘God as an interventionist superhuman old man on a cloud with a beard’.  This idea of God is based on ‘anthropomorphic’ (human-like) ancient biblical descriptions, translated into familiar images by artists such as Michelangelo – and ALL JEWS REJECT THEM (God is invisible – we should make no images or representations of God).  Then there are plenty  of other Jews who still feel some sort of religious affinity, but reject any superhuman God at all (atheist), and there are others who are out and out secularists (but still pleased to be part of the Jewish people and culture).  Oy!

You are not too far from Ballarat, where there is the oldest synagogue in mainland Australia, and it is a beautiful synagogue to visit.  They have annual High Holyday services and they tend to be pretty accessible.  Sadly they are also not very well attended.  But perhaps most important, you should be aware that, once a year, the Leo Baeck Centre joins with the Ballarat Community, bringing a Rabbi (me), a cantor, our prayer books, and interested congregants from Melbourne and around, and runs a lovely and uplifting service in this visually and acoustically lovely building.  It is usually just before Passover, and in 2014 it will be 10.30-12.30 on Saturday April 5^th.  Please join us – introduce yourself and I’ll look forward to meeting you there, if not before.

Many of the members of Ballarat actually now live in and around Geelong, and we run a ‘Chavurah’ (informal friendship group) every couple of months in the Geelong area.  Contact LBC office 03 9819 7160 for contact details for Vicky or Tanya who co-ordinate this group.

Given your rich Jewish heritage, it is not surprising that you already show a good feel for Judaism and Jewish community – and, if your father is still alive, your interest, learning and embracing your Jewish heritage, and sharing some of it with him, may be helpful and therapeutic to both of you.  Certainly we would be very happy to have you enroll on the PJV Introduction to Judaism course, and if you wished to proceed to recover your Judaism formally, we can certainly help with that as well.

Next steps:  Could you do the first assignment – the Jewish Year cycle – and register to receive the first unit – both available at http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course.

I hope this response is encouraging, and once again I apologise for the delay and thank you for persevering!

Since it is Friday, may I wish you ‘Shabbat Shalom’.

Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black

What's available for distant Jews and other interested people?

From Woomargarma NSW

Is there a way that “remote” interested parties can participate in any of the “educational” type programs?  We live over 3.5 hours from Melbourne and thus “tripping” to the big city is out of the question.  Are any of the presentations taped/recorded and can be distributed.  Skype may be difficult given speed of wireless, but I can check if such an option was available.

Thank you so much for your enquiry.

I think the basic answer to your question is 'not really and not consistently - yet'.

However there are various things to say in more detail.

First, I supervise the 'On-line Introduction to Judaism course' which allows students across our region to study a fairly comprehensive course about Judaism - and where Progressive Judaism differs, and is very suitable both for those with a  Jewish background who are looking for such information, and for interested non-Jews who might or might not be interested in becoming Jewish in due course.

The two core texts for the course are both available both as books and e-books: Rabbi Dosick's 'Living Judaism' and a book by Rabbi Pete Tobias which I have revised for our region, entitled 'A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century'.  

In addition, our Prayer book, Mishkan T'filah World Union Edition' is a valuable prayer and study text for any Progressive Jewish home.

They can all be obtained from Amazon.com.

The on-line course basically uses the internet to communicate with, and submit work to, the allocated tutor, and to download and view supplementary materials etc.

We consider that simply filming spoken lectures is not usually a satisfying nor educationally effective exercise.  However there area  range of powerpoint presentations available as part of the on-line course supplementary material, and these are added to from time to time.

During Limmud 2012 Jewish Australia Internet Radio recorded various lectures and these were available as podcasts - as far as I can see they are no longer on their site but certainly you should be aware that J-air.com.au has a growing grid of Jewish pogramming and music (which of course you can access), and will shortly include the 'Progressive Perspective' weekly radio show including our Melbourne Rabbis and various visitors from other states and overseas.

Cantor Michel Laloum has various 'illustrated lectures', some of which were recorded by Limmud and which he may have available, so I am including him on this response.

The Leo Baeck Centre has the facility for live streaming (and seeing on podcast) our regular services as well as occasional lectures, and the next one should be Mark Dreyfus MP giving the annual Leo Baeck Lecture at 7.30 on the evening of 30th March and thereafter.  I understand that Temple Beth Israel and other communities are currently exploring similar possibilities.

The Centre for Living Judaism has a wonderful website at http://www.livingjudaism.org.au/ full of useful resources and information.

We also have a colleague who specialises in on-line seminars and learning.  Her name is Rabbi Sheryl Nosan-Lantzke and you can contact her at rabbisheryl(at)gmail.com.

You can see, therefore that things are beginning to develop.  I was at a day conference just yesterday, in part about 'virtual community' and how to connect and support 'far-flung Jews' who are not within easy reach of conventional congregations, and I am certain that this is an area in which provision will accelerate.

Having said all this, there is a practical reality - it all costs money - and if we found someone to make a substantial (tax deductible) contribution, it would move things forward all the sooner!

I hope this is of use, and invite you to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black - rabbi(at)lbc.org.au

Why is God not always mentioned?

When I read some things about Judaism, God is not always mentioned.  Do these writers think God is not important?  In one quote I have just read, Judaism is explained without any reference to God!

Rabbi Jonathan responds

I am not sure the exact quote you referred to, and I am sure that when you find references without a direct reference to God, in the main, it is because a belief in the ultimate power is implicit, though how immanent and interventionist this 'God' may be varies from person to person and between contexts and cultures.  

As you may know, there was an influential Rabbi called Mordechai Kaplan (1881-1983), who in 1934 qrote the important book Judaism as a Civilization .  He eventually co-founded a significant new and quite intellectual Jewish group called Reconstructionists.  Many accused him of denying God, but I think that was a misinterpretation - he had a more naturalistic conception of God - and certainly Reconstructionists today tend (in defence?) to emphasise a belief in God - but certainly the 'modern God', at least of the Progressive/Reform/Liberal/Reconstructionist Movements  is not the old (super) 'man on the cloud with a beard' interventionist God depicted by the Torah's anthropomorphisms (using human language to describe something, such as a dog smiling, or God's outstretched arm or back or nostrils), and painted into visuals by Michelangelo!   

I have a lovely story (in a Progressive machzor - High Holyday prayer book)  about a man who was so impatient to find God that he didn't stop to recognise the divine, until eventually a wise Rabbi showed him hospitality instead of trying to directly answer his question 'where will I find God' - slowly he became a part of the community... and one day the Rabbi said 'I think you have found God now, have you not?' and the man answered 'Rabbi, I think I have, but I am not sure when, or where - and tell me Rabbi, why is God in this place only...?'.  

So rest assured, God is in this place - in a Progressive approach to Judaism! But God may not always have quite the same profile and exposure that you might find in other places.  We also put a lot of emphasis in Judaism on our own responsibilities, through mitzvot (commandments). We often see the relationship as 'shutafut' (a partnership) between humans and God - we are God's 'tools' or 'hands' in the world. 

Why can't I go to the Bet Din when I'm pregnant?

Allison asks 'I am almost ready to appear before the Bet Din and am 7 months pregnant.  My partner and I are looking forward to having a 'Jewish' baby - but I hear that this may not be possible.  Please explain the situation.

Rabbi Jonathan responds:

The first think to point out is that this is a question about Conversion, not Introduction to Judaism (which is only that, an Introduction, or one of the steps on the way to conversion).

I believe there are two main issues around heavily pregnant women and the Bet Din (Jewish Court):

a) Hormones have a significant effect on emotional mood in the later stages of pregnancy, and what is at any time a very emotional and challenging interview can become overwhelming, and ultimately may not be perceived by the candidate as a positive and supportive experience,

b) The Bet Din must feel, and be seen to be, free to question and evaluate the candidate fully and properly.  On occasion, such as when a wedding date has been set and guests already invited, the members of the Bet Din feel pressured and that they are expected to be a rubber stamp - the Bet Din is no longer free to say 'no' or 'we feel you should do a little more on this or that area' (even though in my experience it never does the former and very rarely even the latter).  With a baby imminent, the Bet Din may feel the same pressure - clearly the woman (and couple) want and expect it to be completed at this interview and before the arrival (as you suggest).

I think this is a fair and reasonable position - it is certainly observed also by B'tei Din in the UK.

Hope that helps

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Welcome back!

Dear Rabbi,

My name is Tom James and I want to convert to Judaism.

I currently attend a Progressive Synagogue in a small town. I grew up in a Jewish household, with my moms boyfriend being from Israel and his three children being Jewish, and my mom also grew up in a Jewish household as her grandmother was Jewish and moved to Australia from France. I have had a very Jewish upbringing and am wanting to convert so I can be recognised by the Jewish community in my own right. I attended the synagogue with my family in Auckland and the local synagogue here with my girlfriend. I have visited Israel because I feel a deep connection with Judaism and because of this I really want to convert. I want to do a progressive conversion because I strongly believe in equality and I think that the progressive stance, women as equals, resonates with me strongly, as does relating the Torah to modern day life. I do believe that there are many timeless truths in the Torah that are very relevant today but also that some things that are not so relevant in this modern time.

I have talked to the on-line course tutor from the local synagogue and he is willing to sponsor me and support my participation in the conversion course. I realise that he is overseas for the next few weeks but I am willing to do the study on my own and ask from help from my family and girlfriend as well as email the tutor if I have any questions. I am very keen to do this conversion and I would very much appeciate it if you gave me the opportunity to study with him and do the conversion.

Hello Tom,

How lovely to get your email.

We are here to help and it sounds as if you have definitely arrived at the right place.

I am glad you have talked to the local tutor - you are lucky there is one there, as sometimes it all has to be done on line - and that he is happy to supervise your course.  For conversion, you require a Sponsoring Rabbi, and, with his recommendation, I expect that there would be no problem in me fulfilling that role (though of course it would be easier for all of us if there was a Rabbi locally for you!).

May I direct you to the blog I have which is at http://progressivejudaism.blogspot.com.au/ and which will help give you a fuller understanding of the process and the way we approach different situations.  

There are a number of things I need to know initially, so please get back to me on them, and then we can see the best way to proceed - and I should precede this by stating quite clearly that 

a) conversion takes a very minimum of a year as you need to experience and learn about the cycle of the Festivals as they occur, and a fair bit of work and commitment, and 

b) you need to understand that orthodox authorities will not accept our conversions (as they don't accept our Rabbis - at least until the Messianic times!).  In terms of Israel this leads to a surprising situation:

a) once converted, you would be able to go and live in Israel as a Jew and become a citizen (because this is not controlled by the orthodox, despite repeated attempts to do so), but 

b) once you are a citizen of Israel, you would not be recognised as Jewish for the purposes of marriage or burial (because these areas are controlled by the internal ministry, controlled by the orthodox!).

Our relationship with Israel - as with orthodoxy - was described in the title of a 2009 as film with Meryl Streep and Steve Martin: 'It's Complicated'.  It would be a bit of a comedy - if it wasn't so sad!

So I have a bit of a list that I need to know so we can move forward:

a) Was it your maternal or paternal grandmother who was Jewish (traditionally the Jewish line has gone through the mother for post-biblical Judaism)?

b) Are you living in the town with the Jewish community and expecting to stay there for the time being?

c) What do you do, and what and where have you studied up to now?

d) Do you have any children?
e) Is your girlfriend Jewish?  If so what is her knowledge level and background?  If not, what does she feel about your plans?

f) Have you done the two introductory free sessions found at http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course.  If not, please do them and submit them to the tutor on their return from overseas.

g) Have you been along to services and activities at the congregation?  If so, for how long - please tell me about some, and how you found them. 

h) You describe a 'very Jewish upbringing' - can you give me fuller details of what you mean by this?  For example, when were you in Auckland, how often did you and your family go, was there a Rabbi there (if so which?) and did you talk to him or her, and if so, what did they tell you?

I hope that hasn't put you off - it will certainly give you something to do whilst the tutor is away!  Might I suggest you save the questions until they return, and let them enjoy their travels overseas - we all get so inundated with emails it is difficult to get a holiday these days!

I look forward to hearing from you again.  I truly believe that Progressive Judaism is a wonderful framework for a modern, spiritual life, so once again I extend the warmest 'welcome' - actually, in your case, 'welcome back'!

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

JUSTIN Writes

I have visited the Progressive Judaism website recently and am very interested in undertaking the Online Introduction to Judaism Course. I live in ACT and I am a non-Jew. I wish to learn more about Judaism and if there is a natural fit for both parties, eventually work towards joining the Jewish people by converting. I am aware this is an involved process and requires total commitment.

To provide some context, I have been drawn to the Jewish faith and culture for some time now and have been quietly but actively engaging with Judaism through various means of research, observing significant events in the Jewish calendar and attending a service at the nearest synagogue for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). I read the Progressive Judaism website closely and am very drawn to the progressive nature and philosophy. It has a very warm and welcome feel to it which I have been looking for as I have very much felt as an outsider and learning/understanding in isolation.

I am curious about the general, overarching pathway for someone in my situation including the Introduction to Judaism Course and its preparedness for the option of conversion.

Rabbi Jonathan answers:

Dear Justin,

So good to hear from you.  We believe that Progressive Judaism is a wonderful framework for a modern, intelligent spiritual life.  So I am very glad that you want to undertake some serious study about it.  The Progressive Judaism Victoria website is a useful starting point (pjv.org.au) where you'll find information about the on-line Introduction to Judaism course - and the Union for Progressive Judaism, our regional body, has a very well developed website at upj.org.au - I'm not sure which of those you looked at.

Of course Judaism is not only a subject of academic study but also a community and lifestyle to experience - or more accurately, communities and lifestyles, with plenty of variation across them.  We have just held a busy weekend at Leo Baeck - here is the program to give you an idea of what we covered:  

Friday 

6.30-7.00: Arrival and welcome

7.00-8.00: Soul Shabbat service to welcome Shabbat 

8.00-9.00: Shabbat Dinner, table songs, discussion about aspects of Shabbat

Saturday 

9.00-10.00: Study Group - an introduction to the service and Torah portion

10.00-12.00: Shabbat morning service

12.00-2.00: Kiddush and Chavurah lunch–meet members of LBC community

2.00-5.30: Free afternoon – or guided tour of the Jewish parts of Kew cemetery

5.30-7.00: Meet at Leo Baeck to walk to dinner at Vicki’s Italian restaurant – discussion about Israel issues.

7.00-10.00: Havdalah followed by movie: ‘The Gatekeepers’ and discussion after.

Sunday 

10.00-10.50: Choose one session: The Jewish Calendar or Blended families

10.50-11.05: Coffee break

11.05-12.00: Choose one session: Blended families or Jewish Belief and Ethic

12.00-12.30: Chill and chat

12.30-2.30: Relaxed community BBQ, Israeli dancing

2.30-4.00: Ask the Rabbis–your chance to ask a ‘Bet Din’ of Rabbis questions!

Rabbis Adam Stein, Aviva Kipen and Jonathan Keren-Black

We plan to hold a similar weekend in the future and those on the course will be informed in good time, and perhaps other communities will do something along the same lines.

To be clear, the Introduction to Judaism course is NOT a conversion course. It is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Judaism from a Progressive perspective.

However, for those who wish to convert, it may well be the best way to deliver the Jewish education required.  It is necessary to have a meeting with one of our Rabbis, who will be interested to hear the story and the journey, and will give guidance as to the best way forward.  The content of the Introduction to Judaism course does cover much of the academic knowledge required for conversion.

If, having completed the Introduction course successfully, a student decides they do wish to go on to convert, they can speak to a Rabbi at that time - there will be other requirements such as achieving a fluency with hebrew reading, and regular attendance at services and developing a relationship with a community, but the academic learning will have been largely covered.

I hope this is helpful and look forward to getting to know you better,

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan