Closing the Gap: Are Only Orthodox Jews Torah Observant?

Sherri Vishner
KOACH Mid-Atlantic Field Worker

I recently had a conversation with an Orthodox rabbi, during which he asked me why I’m not Orthodox. I’m Torah observant and am always trying to learn more about Judaism. I pay attention to my dress, speech and actions--just like an Orthodox Jew. Per our conversation, it was a relevant question to ask but the answer should have been obvious. Despite the prevalent stereotype, the Orthodox community does not have an exclusive claim to Torah observance. I don’t fault this rabbi in any way for asking this question and I am glad he did so that I could answer him.

I grew up in a Conservative synagogue, participated in Kadima and USY and went to Camp Ramah for a few years. I also attended Hebrew School regularly and continued my Jewish studies at Hebrew High School. I’ve always felt drawn to Judaism and an observant lifestyle, even though my Conservative Jewish community at home has not always been supportive. Oh, yes, I’ve also worked for the Conservative Movement for the past 2 years.

On paper, the Conservative Movement very strongly believes in Halakhic Judaism--a life framed by and committed to Jewish law. At USY conventions, and during my summers at camp, I was taught about Jewish law. These communities kept Kashrut and Shabbat. When I spent time at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem three years ago, I was in a community of observant Conservative Jews, learning from observant Conservative Rabbis.

But these communities aren’t the whole story. When I walk to my Conservative synagogue at home, the parking lot is full of cars and many congregants drive past me on the street and offer me a ride, a practice endorsed by the Movement. Most members of my synagogue see nothing wrong with going out to dinner in a non-kosher restaurant. Growing up in this community, as others watched me become more observant, I was often called me a rebel and was on the receiving end of cynical comments about my choices.

I have a lot of friends who grew up in the Conservative Movement and chose to leave and join the Orthodox world, but I am Conservative. I chose to become more involved in the Conservative Movement and took a job with it to try to change the idea that Torah observance is only for the Orthodox community.

In my work with KOACH, I have encouraged students on their campuses to actively engage in learning, since this is an important value in Conservative Judaism. When they respond that the Orthodox students are doing that already, my reply is, "So what?" We can and should also have these programs. There are plenty of differences among the various denominations of Judaism, but observance does not need to be one of them. Stereotypes can be based in truth and the rabbi I referred to above was basing his question on his sense of a truth. We in the Conservative Movement need to close the gap between what we say we believe in and how we practice these beliefs. We will be the better for it and, in the process, we’ll negate those stereotypes that others have of us as well.

By the time this article is posted, I will have ended my term with KOACH as I return to the Conservative Yeshiva for another year of Jewish learning. Come visit me there!

[Posted 7/7/05]