Can you be disqualified from being a Jew?

RECONSTRUCTIONIST

To the question “Can you be disqualified from being a Jew?” my first reaction is, “Who gets to do the disqualifying?” Over the course of Jewish history, there have been many unfortunate examples of people eager to fill that job. Israelite kings jailing prophets like Jeremiah because of “disloyalty.” Communal leaders in 16th- century Amsterdam excommunicating Baruch Spinoza for “evil opinions.” Religious authorities in North America in 1945 excommunicating Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionism, for his dissenting views leading to a new Shabbat prayer book.

Today we see people attempting to “disqualify” fellow Jews because of their views on Israel—calling those Jews they disagree with “self-hating” or even antisemitic. There are better ways than excommunication and name-calling, however, to uphold a Judaism one wants people to follow. One can argue for one’s views with respect, thoughtfulness and humility. One can live out one’s vision of Judaism with faith, kindness and integrity. One can turn the question around and ask not what disqualifies others but what qualifies us, ourselves, to be called a Jew. That was the prophet Micah’s question when he asked, “What does God require of us?” And Micah answers: Only “do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.” This is a lifetime project for each of us that can nurture our souls, connect us with others and bring to life the precious tradition we share.

Rabbi Caryn Broitman
Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Congregation
Vineyard Haven, MA