By Steve Kramer in Kfar Saba, Israel
Exploring the question of why Jews practice their faith and traditions is central to understanding Jewish identity.
In his book, Why Do Jewish?, Zack Bodner examines the motivations behind living a Jewish life, considering both cultural and religious aspects. He highlights how different expressions of Judaism—whether Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox—offer unique paths for connection, purpose, and meaning. By reflecting on the values, rituals, and community bonds that shape Jewish life, Why Do Jewish invites readers to consider what makes Jewish practice personally meaningful and enduring.
So, why do Jewish? The reader of Bodner’s book may be Jewish, but does he or she live a Jewish life, by any definition that you wish: Secular/cultural, “Jew in name only”, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox; ultra-Orthodox, Chabad, or maybe some other version of the first religion to worship one transcendent God?
If you regularly attend Jewish services on Shabbat, you are probably “doing” (that is, living) a Jewish lifestyle. If you attend services only on the “High Holy Days,” you’re on a lower rung of appreciating what Judaism has to offer. If you avoid attending a Jewish religious service, you might be missing out on the richness of Judaism.
Secular Jews, or “cultural” Jews, value some aspects of a Jewish life, but do not think of their Jewishness as “religious.” Among the things that they value most, living a Jewish lifestyle is way down the list. Many secular American Jews often prioritize social and cultural values over religious observance.
Commonly cherished causes include: social justice and equality, which includes civil rights and racial justice; support for democratic and pluralistic values, education and scientific advancement; support for Israel, but often with an emphasis on peace initiatives and human rights; environmental protection and climate action, philanthropy and community service. These priorities reflect a focus on ethical and cultural identity rather than traditional religious practice. Often overlooked is the richness of Judaism itself, which is VAST.
Disclaimer: although I had the usual Hebrew School afternoon sessions twice a week, for years, and later evening Confirmation classes, I dabbled in Buddhist texts during the years of hippiedom and never considered examining the rich spiritual offerings of Judaism. That came much later. Today, a majority of our friends are from our synagogue affiliations.
Reform and Conservative Jews may be the best audience for Why Do Jewish?, because they already have a “foot in the door” of Jewish life. They may attend services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; they may attend or host a Passover Seder; they may give Chanukah presents or light candles nightly; but being an active member of the Jewish community, identifying their Jewishness as one of their most important attributes – not.
Bodner’s position is that living Jewishly – with all the positive things that it entails – is extremely rewarding. In his book, he selects seven different attributes of Jewish life which make one’s life positive, rewarding, and maybe even more fun. These categories are: repairing the world (tikkun olam), art and culture, community, holidays and rituals, learning, Israel, Shabbat and spirituality. (Bodner emphasizes that repairing the world isn’t a substitute for being Jewish.)
Why Do Jewish? is a “manifesto for 21st century Jewish Peoplehood,” in Bodner’s words. But on a personal level, it works as a blueprint for a gratifying life whose foundation is a Jewish lifestyle. Especially in today’s world of social media and defamatory news about Jews and Israel, “doing Jewish” may provide a way to the satisfaction that one is missing in his/her life, or suggest ways to increase your exposure to Jewish practice. Especially after October 7, such activity may give you something concrete to engage with, when intolerance towards Jews (and Israel) is burgeoning.
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Steve Kramer is an American Israeli based in Kfar Saba, Israel.