Sh'ma Journal's Walking a Jewish Path

This month, Sh'ma focuses on how we walk in the world as  Jews, the multitude of paths that lead us toward deeper Jewish  commitment — or away from it. We explore how Jews invite in  and sometimes intimidate seekers. The personal stories in this issue express the fluid nature of identity, belief, and practice. Shulem Deen, who grew up as a Skver Hasid, writes about his decision to leave Hasidism; Shmuly Yanklowitzbecame Orthodox; Shani Rosenbaum wrestled with her Orthodox practice; Bruce Weinstock writes about negotiating with his wife about their religious practice; Danya Ruttenberg writes about how her practice changed when she became a mother; Ben Dreyfus, Jacob Fine, and Rachel Klinghoffer each reflect on how their practices emerged; Lizzi Heydemann writes about creating a place for seekers in Chicago; Erica Lyons settles into Jewish life in Hong Kong; and Marci Shore finds herself most comfortable in the stacks of a Polish archive.

In addition to these personal reflections, several essays frame the conceptual terrain of present-day communal engagement. Noam Pianko and Stuart Z. Charmé examine what the term "authenticity" really means today, and Tobin Belzer reflects on fluid identity with a case study of San Francisco's Mission Minyan. Together, these essays offer a glimpse of our sometimes messy experiments and counter-experiments, our achingly and also wonderfully, non-linear trajectories. Shai Gluskin writes this month's ethics column on ethical questions that emerge between client and web developer. Have you been keeping up with all the great content on our "S Blog?" What about our posts on Facebook and Twitter? If not, stop missing out and make sure to view our homepage every Monday and Thursday (if not more frequently) to read and participate in this month's blog posts! This month you'll find: Todd Hasak-Lowy plays with the word "practice" and exploits its position regarding the phrase "Jewish practice." Bible Raps' Matt Bar enlightens us with experiencing the transcendent while recording his song, "Light is in the Air." Alex Braver looks at the Talmud and Rabbinic Judaism as only a means to an end as a Jewish guide and not as an end in and of itself. Juan Mejia takes us through a personal journey to find Judaism after discovering his hidden Jewish roots and dissects the many problems confronting "B'nai Annusim" ("sons of the forced ones") as they struggle to adopt a Jewish practice. And if you don't already, please "like us" on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Please visit our partnership website JBooks.com, which allows you to purchase books written or suggested by Sh'ma authors at a reduced cost. Visit http://shma.jbookstore.org/category/month/december-finding-jewish-practice to find out more. Enjoy the reading, Susan Berrin Editor