What 'Modern Orthodoxy' Means To Me

by Rabbi Darren Kleinberg

In response to a number of articles I have written for the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix, I have been described by letter writers as one whose "assertions are not in consonance with traditional Torah beliefs," whose writings "have undermined the fundamentals of traditional Judaism," and one who "advocates the acceptance of values that are antithetical to all sects of mainstream Orthodoxy."

As a rule, I do not respond to letters to the editor - just as I am entitled to my opinion, so too, the letter writers are entitled to theirs. That said, I have been moved to write, not in the form of a response, but rather in the interests of clarification.

I am a graduate of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT). YCT was founded in 2000 by Rabbi Avi Weiss "to transform Orthodoxy." From the role of women in ritual, to recognition of the value of non-Orthodox movements, to the affirmation of the central importance of the State of Israel, and many other defining issues, it was my belief that Orthodoxy needed to change that ultimately led me to YCT.

But the mission of YCT is not so narrow as to be focused only on transforming Orthodoxy. It is a mission that sees the entire Jewish people as the beneficiaries of a more open, inclusive and nonjudgmental Orthodoxy.

To be clear, though, while I am a graduate of YCT, I do not speak on behalf of the institution.

Ultimately I have come to understand that I am a member of the Jewish people before I am a member of Orthodoxy, that my personal religious convictions cannot stand in the way of my responsibilities to the entire Jewish people.

Following my ordination, I arrived in Phoenix, and, with the help of many supporters who understand what we wish to create here, we founded a new congregation, KiDMa - The Southwest Community. We asked to be listed on the Jewish News' Area Congregations page as "Modern Orthodox."

The reason is simple: We are different. Just as in some places around the country Chabad synagogues are listed under their own specific heading as a distinct religious group (as I have heard it from many Chabad rabbis, "Chabad is not Orthodox, Reform or Conservative, it is Chabad"), so too we are a distinct group within Jewish life.

Distinct, but not separate. KiDMa is a community for all Jews - not Reform Jews, not Conservative Jews, not Orthodox Jews, but all Jews.

The title "Modern Orthodox" seems to be the best fit. After all, we are a community guided by Jewish law; Shabbat is observed in the traditional Orthodox fashion, dietary laws are observed and prayer follows the traditional liturgy.

At the same time, we encourage greater involvement on the part of women, we welcome Jews of all levels of observance equally and we see non-Orthodox movements as our partners.

The qualifier "Modern" (as in "Modern Orthodox") refers to each of these and other distinguishing characteristics. We are not "Traditionally Orthodox" as it were; we are "Modern Orthodox."

And so, criticism from the perspective of traditional Orthodoxy is an act of tautology. If, for some reason it was not clear up until now, let me be clear: KiDMa is a Modern Orthodox synagogue-centered community, and we extend an invitation to the entire Phoenix Jewish community to join us this Shabbat, or any time in the future.