Pipelines to Jewish Identity
By Steve Lear
Who Is a Jew?
Jews are in the news almost daily, making me proud and yet scared. There are only about 15 million of us, and we have attracted a lot of attention. Some have said we are loud.
Since 2001, I have had the chance to visit many places as a speaker. I recently created a mind map to help promote discussion and educate people about who is a Jew. It is complicated, invigorating, and bewildering, and yes, it makes me very proud to be a member of the peoplehood.
Please feel free to ask questions and provide comments in the Curiosity Zone. Your feedback is always welcome!
Thanks,
Steve
Great article! I really appreciate the clear and detailed insights you’ve provided on this topic. It’s always refreshing to read content that breaks things down so well, making it easy for readers to grasp even complex ideas. I also found the practical tips you’ve shared to be very helpful. Looking forward to more informative posts like this! Keep up the good work!
I just saw this diagram while browsing thru the website. It’s very interesting and helpful. It brings to mind two questions:
–are any of the “need 3 out of 5” to Jewish identity more important than another and/or a required minimum?
–are there “pipelines OUT of Jewish identity” that exclude you from the Jewish community?
Hi Jim,
Here’s my response to your Curiosity Zone questions:
I would say the number one pipeline is values, followed by faith as number two, and community as number three. If I were to rank these in terms of what G-d wants from a Jew, that would be the order.
Jim, my interpretation is that people will lose their Jewish identity by consistently acting in an immoral and unethical manner without repentance.
And as you might know, I’ve always held the opinion that, in some way, everyone is a little bit Jewish—just not everyone is willing to admit it! 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the great questions!
Best,
Steve Lear