Me Conservative? Just Maybe! (Judaism that is…)

08 May 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Jewish Convert, Jewish Learning, Jewish Movements, Judaism Tags: , , , , , ,

What exactly is Conservative Judaism?

In a nutshell, Conservative Judaism was founded in order to “conserve” Jewish traditions.  An American Jewish movement known outside the USA as Masorti, they were not in the business to reform Judaism like the progressives but not as strict as the Orthodox.  Conservative, the peace-keeping middle child of the Jewish movement family, boasts a strong 35% of the total American Jewish population.  It strives to balance modernity with traditional observance. Conservative Jews are not as strict in regards to Kashrut, or keeping kosher as Orthodox Jews. (yay maybe?!!) :-)

 

How will being Conservative Jewish Change me?

  1. Diet Changes – As a Conservative Jew, I would try to keep kosher but my observance would not be as strict.  So that means, I will still go out once in a while and eat to my heart’s content? (I hope Rabbis are not reading this…..)
  2. Schedule Changes – Similar to Orthodox, I may go to services but not as strict around schedule.  I will deter from using technology during Shabbat of course and have kosher meals during this downtime.  I will also be observing Jewish holidays.  There are too many of them to count!!
  3. Belief Changes – This is an obvious one.  I am agnostic for now, I believe in a higher being that unites all the universe-which the Jews refer to as G-d.  (Same as Orthodox, but Conservative Jews are open to integrate outside influences into Judaism and they allow scientific questioning of the religion)
  4. Life Changes – When I am officially Jewish, I will be one with the Jewish people.  Their suffering will be on me too. Their discrimination I will feel too. As a friend of mine said, I will be throwing my lot in with the Jews.  I wonder if I will still get to be Chinese? Would I have to drown out one of my identity for the other? I hope not! I love celebrating diversity of the human experience!

This movement sounds like a good fit for me so far.

xoxo

How Will I Change? The Orthodox Way of Modern Judaism

07 May 2013 2 Comments

by allofasuddenpartJew in Jewish Convert, Jewish Learning, Jewish Movements, Judaism Tags:

What exactly is Orthodox Judaism?

In one sentence, Orthodox Judaism keeps to its roots.  Men and women worship and sit separately in Synagogue.  The language used is Hebrew and traditional observances prescribed by the Torah.  Orthodox Jews believe G-d gave Moses all of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  10% of American Jews identified themselves as Orthodox in a 2000 National Jewish Population Survey.  One must keep Kosher, meaning, my lifestyle will change dramatically (!!!) The Jewish Bible considers the consumption of food and drink as one of life’s great joys.  As such, one must respect and take care of how food is prepared and served.  Over the centuries Rabbinic Judaism, the rabbis of the time, laid out elaborate rules for how to slaughter animals. Sounds really specific and bloody to me!

How will being Orthodox Jewish Change me?

  1. Diet Changes – If I become Orthodox Jewish, I will have to observe and keep to these dietary laws. Can I do it?  I like to eat too much…. Must consider this a bit more and deeply. >_< On the other hand, I have had kosher food at Chabad and Ohel Leah, it tastes well if prepared and cooked well.  There is also an upside to this change!
  2. Schedule Changes – I guess I won’t be going out Friday nights anymore. As least not during Shabbat.  I will be at Synagogue and attending services and eating kosher dinner.  This will extend through Saturday early evening as well. Well, its only one weekend night. I still have my Saturday nights.  I will have to pray on a schedule too I believe.
  3. Belief Changes – This is an obvious one.  I am agnostic for now, I believe in a higher being that unites all the universe-which the Jews refer to as G-d.
  4. Life Changes – If I am an Orthodox Jew, I can only marry an Orthodox Jew right? I haven’t given this too much thought yet….(?) I’m not particularly attracted to the long-bearded ultra-orthodox type of Jewish men. They kind of remind of me of Mormons. (no offense to neither groups!)

I’m sure there are some things that I’m missing but I got to finish my Literature Review for my class so I can graduate.

Information Sources:

http://www.ijs.org.au/Variants-within-Judaism/default.aspx

http://www.jewfaq.org/movement.htm

http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=43744

 

Help! Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform? (Reconstructionist)

29 Apr 2013 6 Comments

by allofasuddenpartJew in Jewish Convert, Jewish Learning, Judaism Tags: , ,

Dear friends,

Thank you for reading!

This is an open letter to ask for some feedback.

Its been almost two years since my journey into Judaism.  I have experienced almost all the major movements in Judaism. Modern Orthodox at Ohel Leah Hong Kong, Reform/Progressive at United Congregation of Hong Kong, and Chabad at Shanghai.  Have not experienced the Conservative sect but heard it is somewhere in between Orthodox and Reform. If anyone knows of a Conservative Temple in Hong Kong, San Francisco, New York City, and/or Dallas – do pass the word.

Am asking because am at a point of deciding which one works for me and sticking to it for the long-term. At this point in time, I feel that Modern Orthodox is the best fit for me, I feel more connected to Ohel Leah in Hong Kong.

Would like to get some feedback on which sect your are with, why you choose it, and any suggestions. I’ll write more about how I feel about each and make a final decision by mid-summer.

I’m open to all types so don’t feel shy if you are not Modern Orthodox. Any feedback is welcomed.

Talk soon!

xoxo

Personal Reflection on Last Week’s Horrible Events

23 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Jewish Learning, Judaism, USA Tags: , , , ,

Hi Everyone!

I’m writing to you from the midst of my final exams and term papers.  I only have 1.5 weeks to go so wish me luck. :-)

Like most of you, I was deeply disturbed by last week’s horrible string of multiple events. Let me summarize in chronological order.  (Note: I am in Hong Kong time zone)

1. Boston Marathon Bombing – I woke up Tuesday, April 16th to a barrage of Facebook posts about a bombing at the Boston marathon. My first thought was not again, what happened this time?  Turned on the news and nothing but Boston. As the week went on, a manhunt continued for the suspects.  I followed the best I could without getting off track from my studying. At week’s end, the first suspect died and the second suspect was in custody.  Violence isn’t the answer to solve our differences people. When will this message stick. We are not cavemen, hunter gatherers nor warring nomadic tribes anymore (at least not where I am….)

2. Texas Factory Explosion - While the world’s attention was focused on Boston, a random explosion in West Texas (close to where I used to live and go to school!) happened.  Houses and business around the factory including the factory itself was flattened. The media obviously didn’t give this story as much attention as they should if the Boston bombs didn’t go off earlier in the week. I had to dig a bit deeper on the internet to learn about what truly happened. Sometimes, I feel the media twists stories to someone’s benefit. I’ve noticed that many lawyers have already pitched the victims for business. This is seems so tasteless to me.  I know lawyers need to make a living and all but at least wait until a bit after or let the victims approach you!  Also, did the workers perform regular maintenance on the factory or just let it go unchecked. I haven’t had the time to dig deep into this story-but that’s the first thought that came across my mind.

3. Letters to Obama - In the context of last week, this was also a tiny blip in the grand scheme of events.  Ricin, a type of poison, was found in letters sent to Obama.  I mean, I understand we all have political difference but we don’t need to resort to poison!! There is a thing in democracy called the debate-that’s where you should all duke it out!

4. Sichuan China Earthquake - Heading back to Asia from the West, another massive earthquake struck China. This piece of news broke out around the same time the second Boston bombing suspect was caught.  I found out through a friend’s post on Facebook. So natural disasters are also bad but do we humans have anything to do with it? We dig so many holes in the ground for subways, dig caves in mountains for mines, do they impact the environment? I’m sure it does as we are all interdependent on this earth. Something to think about.

What did you all think? Any major events impacted you recently?

Enough of my rantings or complaints! Ok, now back to studying!

 

Limmud: Shanghai 2013

11 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Jewish Learning, Jews in China, Limmud Tags: , , ,

Start of Limmud ShanghaiJDC SessionNetwork Impact by Seth CohenSeth getting ready for interviewJDC Talk into Ohel Moshe SynagogueDestination Shanghai
Outside of Ohel RachelOhel Rachel SynagogueOhel Rachel SynagogueOhel RachelOhel Rachel windowBeautiful architecture
Yours Truly outsideYours Truly outside 2Holocaust Memorial ServiceInside the synagogueBookshelfThe Service Crowd
The Service CrowdHutong to Chinese Jews21 Teaching the Torah LanePlaque in HebrewJewish gifts galoreKaifeng Synagogue

allofasuddenpartJew1′s photostream on Flickr.

My second Limmud Conference. Shanghai, China. Day 1-4. Jewish learning to the max.

Qing Ming, Seth Cohen, Limmud Shanghai & More

06 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Asia General, Jewish Learning, Limmud Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hi all, this week I am reporting live from Shanghai, China!

I’m here this week for reasons two-fold.  First, the Chinese holiday Qing Ming, the Day to honor our ancestors.  I visited my grandparents’ gravesite with family, made offerings of food, burned candles, offered money and said prayers in their honor.  Second, I’m here for Limmud Shanghai conference.  Per my previous post Limmud was awesome and so was Mr. Clive Lawton, this is my second Limmud conference in my continuous beginner’s Jewish journey.

The first day of Limmud Shanghai took place in the ancient town of Qibao (七宝) literally translated to mean the city of Seven Treasures.  I met Jewish friends from all over the world, England, Israel, United States, etc.  It was fun to attend all the various educational sessions. A sampling of them can be found here. A highlight of the first two days was I got to meet the well-spoken Mr. Seth Cohen. (BTW Follow him on Twitter @sethacohen33) Mr. Cohen, Director of Network Initiatives at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation gave a talk on Using your Networks to Create Collective Impact-a session that was as interesting as it was insightful.  His session reminded me of a recent book that I read called Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell. Mr. Cohen is very inclusive and made everyone feel involved in his interactive learning experience.  He pointed out that while organizations are valuable in their own right, it is the individuals who often serve as the “Tipping Point” in creating worthwhile change.  I second his POV.

After lunch on Day 2, I was able to grab a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk.  He was very curious about how I got my Twitter name allofasuddenpartJew and I told him the family story. Personally, I find Mr. Cohen to be a very nice human being, plenty kind and generous. From him, I learned a few lessons.  I need to write more, more often, and regularly.  More opinion pieces on the Jewish world from my Chinese perspective.  He said himself that he was a blogger first before he joined the Schusterman Family Foundation.  His writing gave the older Jewish community a perspective they otherwise would never see.  We need more people like him!

As of now it is still Shabbat, I am at home writing this blog post.  Tonight, I plan to have dinner with some Shanghai friends and then attend the Limmud Young Professionals Happy Hour.  Tomorrow will be a packed agenda. It is the Destination Shanghai portion titled Global Jewish Responsibility: Shanghai, The Jewish People and JDC.  Per the Limmud pamphlet, “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Hongkou Ghetto and is an appropriate moment to examine the unique relationship of Shanghai with the Jewish people, past, present, and future.” There will be a guided tour through the ghetto, several lectures, and a Special Memorial Day Event commemorating this anniversary.  I’ll be sure to take lots of photos and share with you all!

Happy weekend! xoxo

 

 

Limmud was awesome and so was Mr. Clive Lawton.

12 Mar 2013 1 Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in China, Jewish Convert, Limmud Tags: , , ,

Tonight was my first official Limmud.  For those who don’t know, Limmud is a British-Jewish Charity organization whose mission is “Wherever you find yourself, Limmud will take you one step further along your Jewish journey.” Founded in the United Kingdom by the amazing Mr. Clive Lawton (awesome live speaker BTW), Limmud was a mode or method of learning for Jews in the UK.  Now some thirty years later, Limmud has grown into an international organization organizing Jewish learning events around the globe.  As a matter of fact, Limmud will have a Shanghai event in early April. (I will be going for sure!)

How Limmud relates to my own story? Well, we should be a big happy family! I’m still in the beginnings of my Jewish journey, I look to Limmud to provide additional resources and assistance in moving along in this journey.  In all my touch points with Jewish culture, there is much to learn and not a Pope in sight (explain the Pope thing later).  Mr. Clive Lawton, one of the original founders of Limmud gave two interesting talks at the Hong Kong event.  One is “Weird Tales from the Talmud” and the other “Are there prophets anymore”.  Afterwards, I hurriedly grabbed Clive to chat about his organization Limmud.  He is such a jovial, fun, and an engaging speaker and totally in the know about every aspect of Jewish people and its history.  He gave me some history of the organization and the reasons behind its humble beginnings.  Clive mentioned in the “Weird Tales from the Talmud” talk that Jews, unlike Christians, do not like the idea of having a Pope-like figure.  That’s why I made my earlier comment about not a Pope in sight.

I wish I can write more but it’s almost midnight and I have group project meeting tomorrow morning for my Social Policy Research class.  I will blog more about Limmud next week as I prepare for my Limmud number 2 in Shanghai.

Hope everyone is well!

Let’s Celebrate the Year of the Snake: Chinese New Year 101

09 Feb 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Asia General, Hong Kong Tags: , , , ,

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

For my many non-Chinese readers, tomorrow (10th of February) is the first day of the Year of the Snake, the Chinese or Lunar New Year.

Just like the Jews, the Chinese has its own New Years based on the lunar calendar correlated on the phases of the moon. Most Chinese have about one week of holiday and most travel home to see family. On New Year’s Eve, a dinner is served with close friends and family. Children and young adults receives Hong Bao or red envelopes full of money! I used to love it but now I’m an adult unfortunately….

Are you born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001? You have the sign in the Year of the Snake. According to the TravelChinaGuide, people born under the Snake sign have the following strengths:

  • “…have a good temper and a skill (of) communicating (yet) say(ing) little
  • Possess gracious morality and great wisdom
  • Have tremendous sympathy for others and would like to take actions to help ther fellow human beings
  • Determined to accomplished their goals and hate to fail
  • Although they look calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate
  • Have a rich source of inspiration and understand themselves well
  • Are people of great perception

A great list of positive characteristics isn’t it?

If you are a snake, you are compatible romantically with Roosters and Oxen.

Ok, I better go pack for my trip to Shanghai tomorrow. Happy Chinese New Year from me to you!

Source: Sassy Hong Kong

Chinese New Year Carnival Snake on display in Hong Kong

 

Next Steps in Hong Kong, a New Place to Live!

03 Feb 2013 Leave a Comment

by allofasuddenpartJew in Hong Kong, Jewish Convert, Judaism Tags: , , ,

So I’m looking for a new place to live. Shatin is beginning to feel a bit isolated as most of my expat friends live on Hong Kong Island. Now is the perfect time, the semester just started, my course workload is light, to search for my next humble abode in Hong Kong.

I am starting to attend Shabbat Services regularly in Hong Kong. Getting to know the Hong Kong Jewish Community on a more intimate level, I guess you can say it that way. Friday nights and Saturday mornings will be devoted to this activity. Learning another culture is not easy and I don’t want to be one of those BS types who doesn’t know what the he!! they are talking about.

On the Adult Education front, the first group of Introduction to Judaism classes has come to a close.  The next set, which focuses on the Jewish life cycle, starts in March.  I’m looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, Chinese New Year is just around the corner, 2013 is the Year of the Snake! I love seeing the city come alive with beautiful lights, lanterns, and dragon dances.  I’ll be spending Chinese New Years with family in Shanghai.  But, don’t you worry, while I am there, I plan to attend Shabbat services at the Chabad of Shanghai.  I have met Rabbi Greenberg there, it’ll be like a mini-reunion.

I went to Gagosian Gallery of Hong Kong recently, they had a great exhibit from Takashi Murakami called Flowers & Skulls, the famous Japanese pop artist. I leave you some Instagrams from that trip.

Happy Hippy Flowers

Happy Hippy Flowers

Rainbow Skulls closeup

Rainbow Skulls closeup

Lion with Skulls

Lion with Skulls

Until next time, see you soon!

Tu B’Shevat: My Trees, Your Trees, and Our Trees.

26 Jan 2013 2 Comments

by allofasuddenpartJew in Hong Kong, Judaism Tags: , ,

There are so many Jewish holidays I can’t keep up with.  Tu B’Shevat was just this past weekend.  I spent my Friday evening at the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong.

According to Chabad.org, Tu B’Shevat (I feel like I have to learn Hebrew just to keep up with my Intro to Judaism course), “…is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees.”  I ate a lot of fruit Friday night, met a great Jewish family who spent 11 years in Japan, of course fluent in Japanese.  The actual Shabbat dinner was a vegetarian potluck.  I brought two Middle Eastern veggie dishes.  On Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish tradition is to eat fruit, Holy Fruit called out in the Torah. Such as figs, grapes, olives, and dates, those that grow in abundance in Israel.

For me, a Chinese, looking on at Tu B’Shevat, I can interpret this as a showering and worship of Mother Nature.*  We owe our food to the abundance of nature and should respect it.  Perfect, I already see a few similarities with Shintoism of Japan.  :)

How did you celebrate this year? Do you celebrate this minor Jewish holiday?

*I am not trying to offend any religion or religious beliefs, only am making a personal interpretation given my Chinese-American background.

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