Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Peter, I am completely fine with your hypothetical Hindu calling herself a Jew whether she eats one hamentaschen per week or a ham and cheese. That is what is meant by an "open tent philosophy". What possible rationale could I have for not accepting her wish to follow any religion she chooses ? How would you feel if someone told you that you are not sufficiently observant to call yourself a Jew ? Is there some minimum criteria that she must pass to consider herself a Jew ? I must say, I am a bit puzzled by this "good old boys approach", that might seek to exclude her from "the club".
Avi,
Maybe it's me, but I have no idea exactly what you mean by an "open tent philosophy to Judaism" and I am totally bewildered by what you refer to as "the outdated, good old boys club approach."
Based upon your second paragraph, if I am getting the gist of it, there could be a woman who is a Hindu who goes into a deli in New York, eats her first hamentaschen, likes it, and declares herself therefore to a Jew.
You seem to be saying that from that point onward - based on her declaration that she is a Jew, even though she does nothing further to learn about Jews and Judaism, has no involvement with the Jewish community but does thereafter eat one hamentaschen a week- she should be recognized and accepted as a Jew.
Peter
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