The other day I attended a meeting of cross-communal Jewish organisations. At the table were people who held a range of beliefs and practices. One of the challenges of such umbrella groups is how they accommodate such a diverse range of deeply-held religious ideologies. The inherent tensions of this debate were highlighted during an impromptu discussion as to whether a key feature of a website should remain active on Shabbat or if they should be turned off for all users during this 25 hour period.
Though the thing itself may seem trivial the issues surrounding it do have wide-reaching implications. I believe people on both sides of the debate are driven primarily by this simple question; "How can my religious practices and beliefs be accommodated and respected by other people?" The key words here is other for it refers, not to the general non-Jewish population, but to other self-identifying Jews. This type of other often prompts a very different kind of conversation; particularly from those inclined towards religious observance.
In what way are these conversations different? In spaces that I would define as not specifically Jewish - i.e. the NHS, non-faith schools and other public events - we often speak about accommodating the individuals religious belief and practice. That is to say, "I" have certain dietary requirements and the organisers of the aforementioned spaces should make a reasonable effort to ensure that "I" am able to keep to these requirements. Likewise, as a person who wears a kippah (a Jewish head covering) I would expect organisations that are not specifically Jewish to allow me to keep my head covered (even when such a head-covering is not part of the standard staff uniform).
When conversations concern spaces that I will define as specifically Jewish - i.e Jewish schools, cross-communal buildings and events - the focus often shifts from the individual (who has specific religious requirements) towards the practice of all Jews who will be sharing that space.
Here the conversation is no longer focused on how we can (and should) accommodate an individual's religious observance; it becomes about ensuring that the wider Jewish public take on these observances as well.
I feel that when Jews argue for this type of communal observance, they express the following concerns: "That being around Jews who practice differently from me will affect my own practice or kavanah ('intuition' of 'focus'); that accommodating non-observance in shared spaces makes me, in some way, partly responsible for their failure to observe Judaism correctly; and that a lack of willingness on the part of other Jews to accommodate my practice is meant disrespectfully". We should not dismiss the sincerity of these concerns and must be aware that our responses may present a challenge for, and cause discomfort to, those who hold them.
That said, in the same way that I want Jews (and all people) to accommodate my own religious practice in public, I in turn want to ensure that I do they same for each individual. This is a two way relationship; non-observant Jews must respect and, even if they do not agree, not actively hinder ones observation of Shabbat or Kashrut (religious dietary laws). Likewise, observant Jews must accept that others, who share their faith but practice differently from them, will choose to keep (or not keep) the mitzvot as they see fit. Respect for ones fellow-Jew cannot be confined to private spaces alone; it happens in front of the community, for all to see.
Though the thing itself may seem trivial the issues surrounding it do have wide-reaching implications. I believe people on both sides of the debate are driven primarily by this simple question; "How can my religious practices and beliefs be accommodated and respected by other people?" The key words here is other for it refers, not to the general non-Jewish population, but to other self-identifying Jews. This type of other often prompts a very different kind of conversation; particularly from those inclined towards religious observance.
In what way are these conversations different? In spaces that I would define as not specifically Jewish - i.e. the NHS, non-faith schools and other public events - we often speak about accommodating the individuals religious belief and practice. That is to say, "I" have certain dietary requirements and the organisers of the aforementioned spaces should make a reasonable effort to ensure that "I" am able to keep to these requirements. Likewise, as a person who wears a kippah (a Jewish head covering) I would expect organisations that are not specifically Jewish to allow me to keep my head covered (even when such a head-covering is not part of the standard staff uniform).
When conversations concern spaces that I will define as specifically Jewish - i.e Jewish schools, cross-communal buildings and events - the focus often shifts from the individual (who has specific religious requirements) towards the practice of all Jews who will be sharing that space.
Here the conversation is no longer focused on how we can (and should) accommodate an individual's religious observance; it becomes about ensuring that the wider Jewish public take on these observances as well.
I feel that when Jews argue for this type of communal observance, they express the following concerns: "That being around Jews who practice differently from me will affect my own practice or kavanah ('intuition' of 'focus'); that accommodating non-observance in shared spaces makes me, in some way, partly responsible for their failure to observe Judaism correctly; and that a lack of willingness on the part of other Jews to accommodate my practice is meant disrespectfully". We should not dismiss the sincerity of these concerns and must be aware that our responses may present a challenge for, and cause discomfort to, those who hold them.
That said, in the same way that I want Jews (and all people) to accommodate my own religious practice in public, I in turn want to ensure that I do they same for each individual. This is a two way relationship; non-observant Jews must respect and, even if they do not agree, not actively hinder ones observation of Shabbat or Kashrut (religious dietary laws). Likewise, observant Jews must accept that others, who share their faith but practice differently from them, will choose to keep (or not keep) the mitzvot as they see fit. Respect for ones fellow-Jew cannot be confined to private spaces alone; it happens in front of the community, for all to see.
Comments
In terms of actual religious practice, I think this may mean overlapping public spaces and agreeing to listen - there is common ground amongst praxis even if the ideology behind why is incongruent. Start there. There should be equal ground given to all those, that again may mean separate spaces that don't overlap, boundaries between those spaces then become corridors for discussion and thought and asking people to leave a certain behaviour at a door actually isn't an unfair ask. Last but not least, come together with food. Cake solves many problems and having a strictly kosher cake would only be offensive if it is badly made.
I agree with your comments regarding red lines.
As you correctly conclude, it is only by agreeing to listen to those with differing opinions that we can truly protect our own (as well as other people's) religious practices. The challenge of course relates to ensuring that all parties have equal power in these discussions so that no one side can use its weight to force through an unfair rule or view.
Cake works for me!