realsadjewishhours:

Repeat after me:

Orthodox Judaism is not the litmus paper you use to decide if other sects of Judaism are valid.

Orthodox Jews do not get to decide who is and isn’t Jewish and what is and isn’t Judaism.

There is absolutely no need to try and uphold Orthodox standards of “what is a valid Jew” if you don’t believe in those standards.

And honestly I don’t see this idea from JUST Orthodoxy and it’s establishments I see it from other sects as well. I once met a convert who was deciding on what sect to convert to, Orthodox or Conservative. And every one, many of them not Orthodox, said Orthodox.

Why?

Their reasoning was “because then you’ll be considered a valid Jew through out all the Jewish people.”

Not because “well that’s what your views seem to align with more”

Not “do whatever sect that makes you feel home and gives you a safe space for you identity and views”

And that line of thinking bugs me in so many ways. What about patrilineal Jews? What about the other converts who found their home and ideas represented in another sect?

Why do we have to make sure our Jewishness is accepted by Orthodox Jews, or any other Jew for that matter?

Though I would like to be considered Jewish by every Jew in the world, being ethnically Jewish patrilineally, and converted to Conservative sect. I know that will never happen. And I’ve accepted it.

Ive also accepted that Orthodox Judaism does not get to define my identity, and should not have the right to, especially when I don’t follow the sect.

So let me say again, Orthodox Judaism is not the litmus paper you use to decide if other sects of Judaism are valid. And who is a valid Jew.

****Before you begin, I am aware it is not always like this, but you cannot deny, especially outside of America that religious Jewish communities cater to Orthodox wants, needs, and beliefs. Letting other sects essentially to be just forgotten and ignored. ****