I just finished reading an article discussing the recent dedication of a new orthodox building next to the Kotel ... a $20 million dollar building which was partially paid for by a well-known, non-orthodox actor. It got me thinking: Why do people donate to more traditional Jewish groups, even if they don't follow the group's teachings? Why do so many reform Jews support Chabad, which is then able to go all over the world and establish/reestablish Jewish communities?
Unfortunately, when we support more traditional organizations, we take away the possibility of teaching progressive Jewish values around the world. Consider this now-two-year-old article regarding reform/progressive Judaism's challenges in the Former Soviet Union: http://www.jewcy.com/daily_shvitz/shvitz_exclusive_why_chabad_excels_in_russia_and_why_reform_judaism_doesnt
Unfortunately, little has changed since this column was written. Progressive Judaism still struggles, not only in the FSU, but also in Israel, where traditional Jews have a stranglehold on how Judaism is defined, and funded. In fact, currently, the progressive Jewish movement in Israel is in crisis.
When asked why reform Jews donate to Chabad in particular, people often say they want a part in "protecting authentic Judaism." Unfortunately, this is not accurate ... authentic Judaism changed over time to meet the people's needs ... and we are not living in a shtetl any longer. While I respect many of the things Chabad does and the services it provides, perhaps we can help more reform Jews understand that we are also "authentic" in our approach to Judaism ... and support will flow to the reform movement in the US, in Israel, and even to build/rebuild progressive Judaism in the FSU.
For more information about progressive Judaism around the world (and learn about congregations worldwide), see the World Union for Progressive Judaism's website: http://www.wupj.org/.
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