A New Perspective

Today in history class we had to present a vision for the future of Judaism as seen from the view point of different sects of Jews in 1858.  I got Neo-Orthodoxy (or, as we call it today: Modern Orthodoxy).  One of the tasks was to create a two minute speech to present.  This is what I wrote:

The Jewish people are at a crossroads.  The old times are coming to an end and new times are starting.  There is an ever-increasing gap within Judaism, and something needs to be done.  We can’t keep continuing as we are; we need to change.  Western culture has integrated itself all over the world, and the only way to desist is to put ourselves back into the ghettos.  Do we want that?  No!  We want to live in the modern world, we are modern, and our traditional Judaism that we love is completely compatible with western culture.  We can be traditional Jews and live in the modern world.  It’s not a choice between Judaism and modernity; it’s a fusion of the two.  Judaism can be completely relevant and plausible in these times.

The world is changing, and we need to change with it.  We can’t live the way we always did.  We can’t live the life of Orthodox Jews separated in ghettos away from the rest of the world.  What good are we if we never interact with outside life?  What kind of life is that?  It is becoming more and more imperative that Jews everywhere see the modern world.  We can live in the modern world, surrounded by western culture, and still be Orthodox Jews.

However, we need to retain our Judaism.  We cannot assimilate completely, or we would lose our Judaism.  We can keep our beliefs, our traditions, and our values and live in the modern culture.  Life in the western world is possible for us.  We are able to be Orthodox Jews in the modern world.  What is the point of living in this beautiful world of opportunities and experiences and adventures if we seclude ourselves away?  There is a way to live in this modern world and retain our Orthodox customs:  we call it Neo-Orthodoxy.

Seven years ago, a community was established in Germany.  They were a separatist organization, separate from the masses but still a member of them.  There, they are keeping their strict Orthodox laws and practices, but live in the modern world.

Judaism is for the Jews of all ages and all times.  We can always be Jews, and we have to adapt.  In these separatist Neo-Orthodoxical communities, we can follow all our laws and live in the modern world.  It’s possible and it’s necessary.  Neo-Orthodox is the way to be Jewish now.

The world is at crossroads.  The old is ending and the new is coming.  We as Jews need to make the change.  Traditional Judaism in the modern world.  Not traditional Judaism in a fake, isolated community, nor fake Judaism (coughReformcough) in the modern world.  Neo-Orthodoxy, Traditional Judaism for today and tomorrow.

(That dig at Reform Judaism is directed towards the presented Reform Judaism of 1858, which is drastically different to Reform Judaism today, I'm not a secret spy for another movement, Netzer, don't worry)