Conservative Judaism/Jewish Community

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/30/2004


Question
Dear Rabbi Lerner,

London is a very metropolitan city with many different people from all works of life.

I find this interesting as It benefits me in learning others cultures and customes. Many of my friends are from different countries or pratice different faiths.

But the sad thing is I have never had a Jew for a friend? I have met Jews but it has been serving them as customers and nothing more.

I would really like to meet a jew who is obedient to his faith and his nationalistic routes but it is so hard to come by. My City has many Jews but I think that they are so locked into their own communities that they do not allow outside influences.

Does something in their religious pratice forbid them to take outsiders as friends? If this is the case I can respect that.

I just wanted to know if you could shed some light?

Thanks
Chris  

Answer
Dear Chris,

Thanks for writing. Did you even attend any programs at the Jewish Community Center? Did you ever attend a public lecture and socialize afterwards? Did you ever take a course in adult education at a synagogue?

These are  opportunities to meet Jews - and you'll need to reassure them that you interest is in learning more about the Jewish community - not to convert and not to convert them.

That should do it.

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.