Basic Questions about Judaism (Messiah, tradition, experience, faith, Christianity)

[heidisloan]

I am currently in a class on World Religions and a class on the Holocaust. Though I have been assigned an “interview” with someone of a different faith tradition, I also really wanted to ask some knowledgeable, practicing members of Judaism a few questions. If you do answer, would you mind also including an email address? I need some sort of contact information documented to prove that you are real but I promise no one will email you!

Here are my questions:



Name & email:
First, what type of synagogue/community are you a part of (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, etc)?

What would you say are the most distinguishing characteristic of this type of Judaism (as opposed to other types of Judaism)?

Did you grow up in this tradition or did you come to it later?

How much of a role does your religion play in your day-to-day life?

Do you ever feel stereotyped for your religion? If so (and you are willing to share), in what ways?

What is the biggest mis-conception you encounter that others hold about your religion?

How do you (or how does Judaism) respond to religious diversity? Do you seek to learn from other religions? If so, how?

As a Christian, I have grown up in a religion that emphasizes the Messiah and the afterlife. In what ways might your experience with Judaism differ from my experience in Christianity on these points?

Since beginning my class on the Holocaust, I have, obviously, been reading about and reflecting on that historical event quite a bit. Do you reflect or study the Holocaust much? Why or why not? Do you think that event changed the shape of Judaism in some way? If so, how?

I realize that some of these are “loaded” questions that could take a great deal of dialogue to understand. If you do reply, I might have further questions for you. So, if you wouldn’t mind checking back here, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks so much!