Thread by @Mutant187

Do-it-yourself, homeschooling, online courses, and creating our own in-person or hybrid havurah and Hebrew school are affordable alternatives to consider—as we make our plans (already!) for 5783.

#Judaism #Shul #HebrewSchool
#HighHolidays

https://twitter.com/Mutant187/status/1542683445591015424

Whatever you do, PLEASE don’t “settle” for some ultratraditional congregation just because it offers a financial arrangement that isn’t (much of) a hardship. The full price will include your kids being taught values that contradict the inclusive values you really want for them.

And read the fine print.
Your daughter may not get to do and learn everything your son will get to do and learn.
And as for your gay or otherwise nonconforming kid…don’t ask.
Also, what will your kids be taught about all the other people on this planet—both Jews and others?

I’ve seen it happen.

Somebody says “I found a shul/Hebrew school that will let us in for what we can pay. It’s [insert ultratraditional and probably “outreach”-oriented organization here]. And yeah, I know; but beggars can’t be choosers.” 😬

And also: “But we’ll keep teaching our values to our kids at home, to balance out what they hear at shul. And maybe we’ll just do this to get a few years of Hebrew and Judaism into them, then pull them out before they tell our daughter she won’t be allowed to leyn Torah.”

But then, within a couple of years this person is parroting the traditional rationalizations for the traditional ways and teachings. Maybe they’ve been (ever-so-gradually and gently) won over; or maybe they’ve just “convinced” themselves so as to resolve the cognitive dissonance.

Don’t get me wrong; if a more traditional shul is truly your spiritual home, go for it.

But NO ONE whose true spiritual home would be a more inclusive, egalitarian congregation should be expected to “settle” for something else on the grounds that “beggars can’t be choosers”.

That’s not how Judaism is supposed to work.

And in these times, it’s more important than ever to support and promote the values and the form of religion (for those who want organized religion) we believe to be best.
Especially since those with contrary views are SO proactive.

As some have said:
Politics is downstream from culture—
and culture is downstream from religion.

So please don’t “settle”.

Approach your favorite otherwise-progressive congregation about making participation more affordable (and free from humiliating “ask-for-charity” hurdles).

Ask them (one more time)—

Do they REALLY want more Jews in their pews?
More kids in their Hebrew school?
More Jews infused for a lifetime with the best of Jewish values?

And if that doesn’t work, it’s time to consider doing it ourselves.

@threadreaderapp unroll