Yesterday, over a chocolate break with co-worker friends, I talked a little about my blog. The co-workers I was talking to know my beliefs even if the members at the JCC usually do not. A few of them vociferously agree with me. They are all very dear people for whom I care a great deal.
At one point in the conversation, a couple of them remarked that I should be careful. I could suffer problems at work from expressing my point of view. They were honestly concerned for me.
I was taken aback. My job at the JCC is in senior administration. I coordinate grants with organizations like the United Way. I do internal communications and publicity. I supervise some staff and facilities. I coordinate the calendar.
Though I was originally brought on as Jewish educator, the Jewish education that I have provided has always been secular in nature. That is appropriate at a JCC where the Jewish voice is split into a broad chorus of opinions, ranging from me on one side to a small handful of Orthodox on the other. How could I possibly teach a version of Judaism that everyone would agree with? Why would I event want to try?
I have no desire to use my JCC job as a platform for my beliefs. I have other outlets for that such as this blog, the Association of Humanistic Rabbis, the Society for Humanistic Judaism and Congregation Beth Adam. However, if asked, I will proudly say that I am a secular humanistic rabbi and explain what that means.
So I pointed out to my co-workers that my position is a legitimate one in Jewish life. That the Society for Humanistic Judaism is a movement like any other in our community. I talked about how our rabbis sit on the boards of rabbis around the country. They had expressed the concern, but now I was trying to calm myself down.
What is it about non-theistic Judaism that would elicit a reaction like this? Polls show that many American Jews already hold non-theistic views. In my last post, I pointed out that many other liberal rabbis do, too.
Even for Jews who proclaim their theism, it’s hard to know what they mean by it. Is it the God of Orthodox Judaism or a Mordecai Kaplan-esque metaphor for a non-supernatural process?
So I’m asking you, my readers, what you think. A large percentage of American rabbis do not work in congregations. Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, Renewal, Haredi and Modern Orthodox rabbis are found in every Jewish agency you can imagine.
They do not hide their affiliations. Must I?
In general, one can suffer at work when one admits to being an atheist. But it sounds like in your case, you don't have much to worry about. And you certainly don't have any kind of moral obligation to hide your beliefs, especially (as you point out) given that others are not bound by that expectation.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the concerns of your friends are genuine, but common. Any time someone is open about thinking along a new path or deviating from norms, it is bound to send chills down people's beliefs. Communities sanctify status quo but will only celebrate new ideas when they have been proven okay.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this paragraph: "Even for Jews who proclaim their theism, it’s hard to know what they mean by it. Is it the God of Orthodox Judaism or a Mordecai Kaplan-esque metaphor for a non-supernatural process?"
This is the situation many traditions find themselves in now. The term 'God' has been separated from any specific, clear meaning now anyway. If you do choose to be expressive about your beliefs, be sure to have these kinds of illustrations handy so that people can properly put your beliefs into their own kind of contexts...
My opinion - - keep the job as administrator. Drop the title of "rabbi".
ReplyDeleteOr keep the title of "rabbi" but explain to your employers at the "Jewish" Community Center that you do not believe in G-d and that it is your personal desire, hope, and mission, to spread that belief (or disbelief).
Is seems to me, it is misleading, dishonest, maybe even immoral to not to do one or the other. What do you think?