A Jew is a Jew is a Jew. At least that holds true to the outside world. But within Judaism, there is a rich specter of individual choices that one can make, while still retaining - and indeed enriching our religious lives.

    I respect those that practice what they preach. I reject those that, out of ignorance or arrogance, look down on others because they don't follow the narrow path carved from rigid customs and dogmas.

    I believe that Judaism allows rationalism and plurality of opinions and interpretations. That's what the Mishnah and the Talmud are all about. Within the philosophies and rituals of Orthodox, Conservative, Liberal, Reform, and Reconstructionist, a Jew can find the road which most appeals to his beliefs. We Jews have the right, even the obligation, to open our spiritual selves to the possibility of enlightenment of our religious viewpoints. We should not live as hypocrites. We should know who we are and why we are. We should not allow ourselves to adhere - or pretend to adhere - to customs just because "that's what my father did and his father before him."

    Judaism is Torah. Judaism is Mitzvah. Judaism is treating others as you would want others to treat you. Judaism is a belief in one G-d. We have a rich tradition that can be traced over 5,000 years. We have been feared and distrusted, enslaved and exploited, displaced and murdered, all in the name of God and country. No one who is not Jewish can possibly understand what a Jew feels in terms of insecurity because of our sufferings; in the worst of times - and the best of times.

    Is there any excuse therefore for a Jew to maltreat another Jew? Do you really think that a person's Jewishness, or his/her commitment to Jewish values, can be measured by whether or not he/she follows Kashrut, or observes Rosh Hashanah one day instead of two, or permits women to ascend the Bimah and enjoy equal rights - and obligations - as any man? Are converts to Judaism, people who have consciously studied and chosen with their minds and hearts to accept Jewish values and practices, to be considered as second class Jews, and be barred from our holy halls?

    We are a small people. We are but a tiny speck of sand among billions and billions. Quantitatively, we are but a decimal point in the population of the world. But what a point!

    We have no Jews to lose! That has been the main criteria on which B'nei Israel was founded and has existed throughout these last thirteen years. We call ourselves Reform, but in reality, we are more Conservative than Reform in the way we observe our traditions. What is a name? We have become what our members are most comfortable with.

    We are an open community. We welcome visitors from other lands. People who come to our services feel good, afterwards. Our Onegs which follow every Friday night service, are noted for their warmth and camaraderie.

    Why did we start B'nei Israel? Because we had to; if we wanted to live as Jews.

    So let us delight in our freedom to be who we are: Jews, in a country with stands for freedom and tolerance. Halevai!

- Marvin Sossin