Levi Brackman's

If you visit any religious neighborhood throughout the world during this time of year you will find that a certain level of seriousness has descended upon the residents. This is because we are in the month of Elul which is the four week period prior to the Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year. Traditionally this month is used for deep introspection, repentance and spiritual preparation for the High Holidays.

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Religion is constantly in the news usually for the wrong reasons. It’s either how a rabbi committed a crime, or how entire religious communities are rallying around a criminal who is about to be sentenced or was just sentenced to time in jail for financial fraud. Or we read how Haredi Jews are rioting in Jerusalem or how rabbis in Israel are not sensitive to issues facing woman. All these stories are about the people who claim to practice religion. And whilst the people represent the religion they are not the religion itself.

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The great religious-secular divide amongst Jews in Israel and to a lesser extent in America threatens not only the future of Israel but it also puts the entire Jewish people in jeopardy. There is surely enough blame to go around—but as a religious person I must begin by looking inwards and critiquing myself and my community.

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There is tremendous concern about the future of Judaism around the world. About one hundred and fifty years ago as the emancipation of the Jews occurred in Europe and beyond Jewish leaders grappled with how to keep Judaism alive and relevant. Some leaders decided to reform Judaism and make it “more relevant” to an age of enlightenment. Thus, Reform Judaism was born. However one hundred and fifty years later on it is apparent that, rather than keeping Judaism alive, the Reform movement together with its sister movements such as the Conservative Movement and others, is just slowing the pain of Judaism’s demise.

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