Video: Different Jews

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Published: November 13, 2010

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Visitor Comments: 18

(17) Sasha, November 20, 2010 8:45 PM

From Queens

Dear Lori, Thank you so much for sharing your great thoughts and advices! I agree with Miriam about posting next time when you come in New York or please let us know where we can find out about it! It's been a three years since I am following your talks and they helped me very much in many situations I had along the way! For me this would be an amazing chance to hear "My Hero" and surely for many others. Thank you for everything!

(16) Andy, November 19, 2010 4:23 AM

#14 Othodox Jews condider all Jews "real"Jews

Any person born to a JewIish mother is a much a Jew as any other Jew no matterw hat their level level of observanceWe are not God's accountant..As far as I am aware Orthodox theology holds that non Othodox movements within Judaism are heretical, but that takes nothing away from the Jewishness of the practitioners.It seems to me the reason Aish and other outreach organizations exist is to make Jews aware of their heritage and give them the tools and oppt'y to learn

(15) Miriam, November 18, 2010 8:02 PM

From Williamsburg

Oh, Lori! Am I ever sorry to have missed you! Williamsburg is so close to Boro Park and to think that I did not know you would be speaking there. Please next time you come, please let your many fans in Brooklyn know where and when you will be appearing! I have been longing to meet you ever since I read about your kidney donation; you are my heroine! A true Tzaddaikes!!

(14) JASON, November 18, 2010 7:56 AM

Rene that's lori's entire point!

lori isn't only referring to orthodox jews - she means ALL jews. we need to reach out and love ALL jews, whatever their affiliation. We can argue ideology -- that's healthy and intellectially honest -- but the Torah clearly says no one can determine the true value of another jew. every jew is a priceless gem!

(13) Rene, November 18, 2010 12:15 AM

And the "non"orthodox Jews

Hi, As a non orthodox Jewish woman ( I would say I'm reconstructionist-renewal) there is a thread in this conversation that I find quite disturbing. It often seems that orthodox Jews consider themselves the REAL and observant Jews and the rest of us.... well, forget it!. I do enjoy the Aish website although there is often alot I don't agree with... but the idea of claiming the highest ground with a lack of appreciation for the rest of the Jewish world is to put it mildly, quite a turn off. Rene

Joe, July 11, 2011 3:17 PM

There are such things as definitions and choices.

If your mother was Jewish, you are Jewish - period. It is that simple. Observant though is another matter. Do you keep Shabbos? Do you keep kosher? Do you love your fellow Jews, hope for the redemption etc... Do you have a Jewish education - a real one - as in have opened a gemarra, know what the midrash is, have read one of the rishonim? If not, you are not observant. To be observant means literally to observe the laws. This is your choice. Someone who chooses not to do these thongs is not observant. No one here is going to say someone is an evil person or a bad person for making that choice, but, you do not get to be offended that you are not recognized as something you are not. And I know you will hate this, but, nor should you be. Membership in the Tribe is your birthright. You got that for free. What you do with it from there though is entirely up to you and needs to be earned.

(12) Simon, November 17, 2010 3:11 PM

Born of a Jewish Father Spiritually at the time of change.

You touch on a point that is ever drawing very close, Lori you are familiar very close somewhere somehow, you are so clear and very close somehow. Something about you and Jews that draws one closer friendly, humble, happy etc. Somebody one day told me that it is nearly impossible to do business with a Jew. I am a Jew spiritually born from a Jewish Father by conversion. Over the generations the true Jews transform into a better people and because they are a people of the creator, how else other than becoming more like their creator having that radiance that separates, admirable but to others of the oppressive world dislikable. We are the light of the world if we walk with our God, He does bless our talents to be effective in serving Him. I am a timeline Jew if there is such a term kind like a future thing not understood now but for sure a child of the Jews as from the transformation age. We are all being healed by our Father to be what He wants us to be. Sure we are different although for correction purposes there is a difference between religious and transformed. Religion can be disabling and also a box closed and stationary while transformation within religion as to change personality and belief is a growing child. I pray that many us be the growing child and not closed in, l do not know how but our God is able in His time. Thanks Lori l always love to listen to you it stirs my thoughts in the LORD.

(11) Harriet Wolpoff, November 17, 2010 7:03 AM

Variety in all the movements

There are substantial differences between individuals, congregations, and communities in all the movements, although they may not be as obvious as in the Orthodox movement.

(10) Anonymous, November 17, 2010 12:08 AM

Hashem created such a beautiful thing: the ability to serve Him in multiple ways, through different styles and traditions. As religious Jews, we must respect eachother and constantly remember that even if someone's background or beliefs differ from ours, they are just as religious as us, and we are all equal in Hashem's eyes.

(9) Rosen, November 16, 2010 9:14 PM

totally agree!

I totally agree, Lori! Not all Jews are the same, even though there are many shared values among all of us. I would argue that not all Jews are the same because anti=Semites should not lump all the Jews as bad, even though they are simply hateful, where such hate-mongers cannot be reasoned with that not all Jews are the same. For instance, with the accusation that "Jews control the world's money supply", then why was I as a Jew out of the loop on how all Jews are responsible for the global economic crisis? My guess would be just as good as anyone else's, either the next Jew or Gentile on what really happened on the economic collapse (which is barely rebounding). All in all, experience of individual content is more important than categorizing.

(8) Chaya Yehuds, November 16, 2010 7:51 PM

Thanks for the bridge building

I remember living in Israel, many years ago, before I became frum and believing that all religious Jews threw stones. I have come a long way in my journey into Yiddishkeit and now don't judge so easily when it comes to those things. Thanks for speaking out to bring out the best in all of us.

(7) Anonymous, November 16, 2010 5:59 PM

some are not legitimate?

My comment/question is directed to Batya (4): You made a point of noted that Conservative and Reform Jews are different. Do you mean to say that they should not be considered Jewish, or simply not "frum". You also said that if one is a "halachic" Jew he is to be loved. Who is excluded in this love/respect? I write as a "halachic" Jew who is concerned about the treatment of people who do not fit into a certain niche, and question the authority of the ones making the determination. And, for that matter, do we not strive to treat all people with respect? I want my daughter to marry only a Jew, but I have taught her to respect everyone. And you????

(6) Heni, November 16, 2010 4:59 PM

I live in Borough Park

and I am really upset that you were here and I didn't know about it. I have been admiring your wisdom for years and would have jumped at the opportunity of meeting you personally. Bobover Chassidim are one of many groups in our neighborhood. About half of the population has no strong affiliation to any group, just plain observant Jews. Please let us know the next time you are in town. (you can even come to us for Shabbos with the whole mishpacha)

(5) Gitti, November 16, 2010 12:41 AM

I had a similar experience

About a year ago,I found myself,a Long Island Housewife, invited to speak to a group of Gerrer Chasidishe women in Israel.They had no English,I had no Yiddish,so we spoke in Hebrew(my Hebrew is far from perfect).It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.They were lovely women,who it turned out ,were more similar to me than different.If we could all look past the outer exterior differences,I think we'd all be much happier people.

(4) sharoan, November 16, 2010 12:28 AM

Yep we are different

so true, people think we are all the same but it's not like that. There are many different observant Jews like like Litvish, modern Ortho, and Chassidish etc We can be an observant Jew and still a unique individual. I deffinately am.

(3) Batya Berlinger, November 15, 2010 11:00 AM

70 paths to Torah

Firstly, Borough or Boro Park is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, one of the five Boroughs of New York City, not a suburb, although it has an aura and characteristics all its own which make it seem like a separate part. As to what was said- yes, there are many ways to be observant within Orthodox Judaism. The problem is that not everyone recognizes that one is frum even though he/she doesn't the same customs-and this causes alot of discord, even hatred among seemingly religious Jews. Here in Israel the problem is more acute than in Chutz Laaretz, because, I think, there what brings us together is the sheer fact of being Jewish vs the non-Jew. Here, there is no common "other", so the one who "doesn't wear the same type of haircovering" sometimes becomes the "other" and it is very sad and upsetting. There are 70 faces to Torah within Halacha (not Conservative or Reformor...) and as long as one is following one, with its own leniencies or stringincies (chumras) one should be treated as a frum Jew ! In fact, even if one is not observant, but is a halachic Jew, Love your fellow Jew as yourself should apply (V'ahavta L'reacha Camocha) May we keep davening for the day this is recognized and let Moshiach come. re

(2) Anonymous, November 15, 2010 8:53 AM

Different Perspective

I suppose it all depends on how you look at it. From the point of a non-charedi religious Jew who lived among the Ultra Orthodox, I think they collectively have more similarities among each other than differences. They all believe in the same philosophy. They all dress the same. The women wear the same kind of sheitels and hair coverings.They all talk about the same topics and share the same interests. They only tend to associate with those who are like them. That's why I find it amusing when they claim they are not typical. I guess you can make the same assumption about every religious affiliation. There may be one or more person who stands out from their group but they are the far few in between even though I met some of them.

(1) Nava, November 14, 2010 4:50 PM

Knowing where our well is.

There are different Jews. Where we came from, our traditions and even our callings takes us down different roads. I have visited Aish for the last 11 months. I haven't always agreed with the way things have been presented or others beliefs who visit this site. I have learned some things, and what I disagreed with, I learned from also. By viewing all sides, we can be led to greater accuracy and truth. Recently when I started listening to Kabbalist speakers, it brings me back to the simple refreshing times where I started. On the road of religious studies, the end is like the beginning. When I listen to Kabbalist, it's back in old familiar teaching. The learning is being brought back to my beginnings and what I have learned along the way in-between. Times spent in opponent's positions some of those years in-between, listening to Kabbalist is like coming home after a long journey for a refreshing drink of water, from a well that has always satisfied my thirst. I'm sure I won't be parking it there forever, after I get repositioned, the journey will continue. Home is a comfort, a place of refuge, a place of rest. Next time on my journey away from home, I won't stay away so long w/o visiting from time to time, knowing where my well is that will recharge me. I related to what you said Lori, it's what I have experience lately also.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

Different Jews

Religious people are not all the same.

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