| A lot of those people--and there is no reason to worry yet, as their numbers are tiny--would probably still consider themselves within the Jewish spectrum if the understanding, teaching and communal life of Judaism was more diverse in Israel and not dominated by Hareidim. In the US, newer Jewish movements have answered the very longing for spirituality Israeli `pagans` show without abandoning the essential belief in `Adonai ehad.` Take Jewish Renewal for example, based on the Baal Shem Tov and other Chassidic masters, where you can connect to God through nature and things like trees and, if you prefer, animals. It does not equal worshipping trees or animals, but gives space for different expressions of spiritual yearnings. Even though I consider myself Modern Orthodox, I am convinced that greater flexibility of Judaism in Israel would help her not to lose younger ones to Far Eastern religions on their post-army trip or to neo-paganism. |
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