Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site unc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!mcnc!unc!fsks From: fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Re: I think we have a problem. Message-ID: <404@unc.UUCP> Date: Sun, 9-Jun-85 23:45:11 EDT Article-I.D.: unc.404 Posted: Sun Jun 9 23:45:11 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 12-Jun-85 02:51:24 EDT References: <379@unc.UUCP> Reply-To: fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann) Distribution: net Organization: CS Dept., U. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill Lines: 66 Summary: Adam Beslove: >> >We have come to the conclussion that there are many who subscribe to this >> >newsgroup who don't participate because they feel they will be attacked for >> >whatever they believe. We propose two new newsgroups to replace >> >net.religion.jewish: net.religion.jewish.frum and >> >net.religion.jewish.notfrum. Frank Silbermann (me!): >> How about a newsgroup for Jews who don't want to be Jewish, >> so they can discuss assimilation difficulties. >> We can call it net.religion.jewish.portnoy In article faust@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mitch Faust) writes: > In response to both of you, I think the problem is that some of us out here >in net land would like to see more of a discussion of jewish issues OTHER >than religious. [...] >I suggest a net called NET.JEWISH which would cover all issues that the >religious net does not; such as current event in Israel, american >anti-semitism, or maybe being single and jewish... the possibilities are >endless. To some extent, all of these topics have been discussed in net.religion.jewish, though not to the extent that you or I might wish. Religious issues dominate because that's what people have been posting. I don't think it was planned that way. If you want to discuss other topics, please post some articles, and start the ball rolling. >To be honest I find the discussions here in net.religious.jewish to be >very dogmatic, I just am not interested in that. The Orthodox netters are dominating the discussions because they are usually better informed on religious issues. That is not to say they are necessarily right, only that the Orthodox netters often understand the Orthodox philosophy better than Reform and Conservative netters understand the bases for their own more liberal interpretations. Also, Orthodox-oriented postings dominate because the Orthodox posters are perhaps more active and interested in this group. This reminds me of frequent arguments about the Hillel Society at the University of Florida. Many Reform students complained that the religious services always catered to the Orthodox and Traditional Conservative students, whereas the overwhelming majority of the Jewish student body was Reform. Yet, whenever Hillel tried to provide an alternative Reform service, they couldn't even get a minion. The Reform students liked the IDEA of Reform services, but few wanted to attend. Similarly, I'm afraid that if we create net.religion.jewish.nonfrum, it may die from lack of activity. >As for Mr. Silbermann's comment that all we would do is talk about is >assimilation difficulties...I say BUNK. Is that what you think all jews who >do not believe the ways you do want?? I believe that the vast majority of Jews on usenet ARE assimilationists. At least that seems to be true of the Jews my age (twenties) that I've met in New York, Florida, and North Carolina. So a newsgroup such as net.religion.jewish.portnoy is not such an outrageous idea, after all. I myself have tried to assimilate, but gave up for the time being because I was so bad at it. I read "Portnoy's Complaint" and saw a lot of myself in the main character. Jews in the more liberal movements do not often remain Jewish for more than three or four generations. To ensure that the Jewish people does not die out, the Orthodox way may be the only viable path. Nevertheless, I have not yet become willing to commit myself to that way of life. I AM trying to keep an open mind, though. Frank Silbermann