Pluralism Goes Beyond One Size Fits All

During the month of Adar, I have been known to quote a well-known Hebrew saying, "Kol YIsrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh," ...all of Israel is responsible for one another. This is a theme that stems from the Purim story. It relates to the fact that all Jews must support one another when the world turns against them. What this statement does not address, however, is the idea that we must also celebrate our diversity and accept each other as brethren even when the differences in our beliefs are great, when our ways of observing are diversified, and when it feels as if we cannot see eye to eye with those for whom we need to feel responsible. Sometimes I have the feeling that many Jews in Lincoln find it easy to accept other Jews as long as they can reduce their Judaism to the lowest common denominator. It is easy to think about sharing meals with one another, but please don't ask us to observe kashrut or at the very least offer only a dairy option so those who keep kosher can also participate. It is easy to think about sharing social events, but please don't ask us to have them start after Shabbat ends if they are to be community events. Pluralism isn't a result of trying to create a Judaism where ONE SIZE FITS ALL. It isn't about sharing holidays where part of the community feels as if they are not being true to their own conscience in the way it is being celebrated. Pluralism is about acknowledging the differences that truly exist among groups of Jews, about respecting those differences, and providing for the needs of all. It is not about dumbing down Judaism. It is about looking at the same texts, through very different eyes, sharing our responses, and learning from one another in a respectful way. I have mentioned this before, because the program I attended in Jerusalem was indeed pluralistic. At Pardes, both men and women taught text material. Some were ordained, some had degrees from secular institutions of higher education. Those who came to learn cared about being Jewish, but not all felt the need to attend daily services, nor observe Shabbat. Yet the program maintained its standards. The yeshiva did not hold classes on Shabbat, but when Shabbat ended there were get-togethers for the participants. Minyanim were offered daily...one egalitarian and one with a mechitzah. If someone chose not to attend they gathered to socialize in another area. All meals were kosher dairy. All text material was presented in Hebrew and English. All discussion did not just center upon one stream of Judaic thought...but traditional teachings were offered and countered by participants who questioned and debated. It left no one with the feeling that they had been cheated or forced to accept the ways of Jews with whom they did not concur. Yet it left everyone with the feeling that they wanted to be part of the group, because the group celebrated and recognized differences. When I announced to our board last month, that we would be sharing part of our Purim celebration with the Temple, there were those who thought it was a good idea and those who did not. Those who were opposed did not like the idea of having a Purim gathering that did not offer a complete Hebrew reading of the megillah text. They were attached to the mitzvah of hearing the megillah read in its entirety in Hebrew. Of course there is no doubt in my mind that this is a mitzvah of great import. That's why there will be a Sunday morning reading of the entire megillah for those who also want to observe this mitzvah. Is this true pluralism? Perhaps, because it satisfies two needs for Jewish observance without saying that one is better or more accepted than the other. What would happen however, if Purim were not on a weekend? Would we need to find other means to make sure that those who want to observe the mitzvah of hearing megillah can do so? If we merely say that getting together within the context of the larger Jewish community even if it does not allow for differences in observance is true pluralism...then I believe we've lost sight of the goal. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson commented on the phenomenon of not trivilalizing our Judaism in order to promote sameness. He said, "it is not just a matter of having a homogenous mush." We don't need shallow sameness. We need serious Jews who honor other serious Jews whose practices and beliefs about Judaism look unlike one another. It will be important as our conversations with our fellow Jews at the Temple continue that we recognize that it is not in anyone's best interest to try to impose the "uniformity of indifference" on others. As Artson said, "We need to celebrate vigorous diversity."