r/JewsOfConscience • u/AutoModerator • Jul 10 '24

AAJ "Ask A Jew" Wednesday

It's everyone's favorite day of the week, "Ask A (Anti-Zionist) Jew" Wednesday! Ask whatever you want to know, within the sub rules, notably that this is not a debate sub and do not import drama from other subreddits. That aside, have fun! We love to dialogue with our non-Jewish siblings.

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u/SpiritualUse121 Non-Jewish Ally Jul 10 '24

I have a really basic question.

What do some of the lesser known terms / labels in the flairs mean & is there a guide to the differences in philopsy, culture & practice?

If someone could point me towards a guide that would be really helpful in understanding this community more.

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u/ezkori Ashkenazi, American, raised in orthodoxy, currently cultural Jul 10 '24

Could you give some examples? I’m happy to explain to my best ability

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u/SpiritualUse121 Non-Jewish Ally Jul 10 '24

Thank you, I appreciate it!

I am unfamiliar with:

Orthodox vs Conservative, Reconstructionist, Hiloni, Mazortim, Beta Israel, Matzpen, Jewish Communist, Post-zionist

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u/ezkori Ashkenazi, American, raised in orthodoxy, currently cultural Jul 10 '24

Orthodox Judaism is a wide label that spans many many smaller sects of Judaism with a wide range of practices and beliefs. There are hareidi (ultra orthodox) Orthodox Jews and modern Orthodox Jews and many outside and in between. As such; wr to orthodoxy, it’s often useful to specify what kind of orthodox community. That being said, Orthodox Jews tend to be the most traditional and ritual focused; conservative judaism is an American sect of Judaism that spawned out of the American reform and American orthodox movements pulling away from the Center. The greater movement still values tradition and ritual, though advancements have been made for modern times such as women/nb rabbis, queer (kinda) acceptance (complex issue to discuss but happy to get more into it if you want) and other stuff. The large majority of Conservative Jews in America are not ritually observant and, at least from the perspective of onlookers, may seem like Reform Jews. TBH the line between reform and conservative (and orthodox and conservative) has been getting blurrier and blurrier. Will continue in another comment.

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u/SpiritualUse121 Non-Jewish Ally Jul 10 '24

Thanks for taking the time. It's a really good primer and will re-read and digest more.

The immediate thing that comes to mind is; what little I think I know about Judaism is prolly wrong. I was only really exposed to Haredi who stick to themselves and what I imagine are Zionist non-observants.