Ever wonder how Israeli and American opinions compare on topics like religion, sex, intermarriage and just being Jewish in general? The new Jewish Reconnection Project is here to show you. The cool web video series showcases dialogues between a group of young adult Jews in New York and Jerusalem. The goal of the series is to highlight the diverse individual perspectives among the global Jewish community and to help us all better understand one another, ourselves and our shared history.

Check out the third three-minute episode of this series called “Jewish Enough?—Secular vs. Religious” and then read what four JVibers had to say about it. If you missed our discussions on previous episodes, check out the first and second conversations now.

Here’s what Elizabeth Kirshner, 13, thinks:
I don’t look down on people who do not observe the way(s) I do. However, I almost feel bad for those who say they only observe “main events” in the Jewish year. Judaism is a lifestyle, not just “highlights” or a series of observances. These people seem unsure. I feel that ritual, though obviously with intent and not just by rote, is the basis of Jewish culture; it keeps us going. The past is part of our future for our good; it is not our job to step in and judge what we “don’t need anymore.” What bothers me is this apparent feeling that our practices are just history, even seemingly foreign. It is necessary to bring ourselves closer to our religion, no matter what our specific beliefs are. Being a good person is great, but the lines have been blurred between basic morals and religion.

Jeffrey Rollman, 16, responds:
Through my Jewish education, I have come to the conclusion that Judaism is a participatory and everyday religion, and being a Jew is a lot more than just blindly observing ritual or fasting on Yom Kippur. Moreover, being “a Jew” defines someone, while being “Jewish” describes them. In this way, I would define myself as “a Jew,” because I am a firm and steadfast believer in “my” Judaism, which mostly conforms to the Conservative movement. When someone says they are “Jewish” or “secular,” I interpret it as being unsure of one’s identity; not necessarily a bad thing, but something that must be resolved. Watching the video, I can’t help but think of the Jewish American/American Jew question. By being a Jew, one must commit themselves to their religion, even when it is difficult, but a Jewish secular person can just assimilate into their society and avoid the struggle. I agree with Elizabeth that Judaism is a lifestyle, and I agree that we must strive to become closer to one’s own religion, regardless of individual beliefs.

Here’s what Michele Pinczuk, 14, says:
The saying, “I don’t know what it is, but I know it when I see it,” is very applicable to the Jewish Reconnection Project’s question: Can you be Jewish without being religious?

Personally, I think that you can be Jewish without being religious for a plethora of reasons. However, the most important rationale is that if you’re born Jewish, you are Jewish. No matter if you’re a “good Jew” or not, your heart is kosher even though the food you eat is not. The Jewish young adults gave the video a funky vibe on an issue that will be more and more talked about in the Jewish community over the years.

A Jewish-Israeli young woman in the video said that you can be Jewish without being religious. I thought she showed a lot of chutzpah in that she seemed quite confident in her belief and openly expressed her opinion.

Again, if you are born Jewish, there should be no judgment on the validity of your spiritual or religious being. It is such a unique experience for so many, yet there are numerous common ties. Just like it is wrong to judge someone based on their sexual preference or whether their skin is too dark or too light, it is just as wrong to tell a Jew who has not converted that they’re not a “good Jew.” Although I respect Jeff’s and Elizabeth’s views on secular Judaism, I think the Jewish culture is under enough scrutiny without inner criticism.    

Jaime Bolker, 18, responds:
I feel like I’m a broken record talking about this topic. Every time that we’ve written one of these response articles, I come out saying the exact same thing: If we want to survive as a strong, unified Jewish nation, we have to be accepting. We have to take as many people as we can under our wings and stop creating this idea of a “bad Jew” and a “good Jew.” Sure, I’ve had a bat mitzvah and went to a Jewish day school for five years, but one of my favorite things about being Jewish has been the fact that I am supposed to struggle with my beliefs; I am supposed to question things and try out other ideas because it is understood that knowledge can only better a person. I’ve tried kosher food and non-kosher food, I have gone to church and temple and I have learned about a colorful assortment of other religions, and because of that, I feel like I have faith in who I am.

I don’t think being Jewish is about following things blindly and feeling bad about yourself if you don’t. I think being Jewish is about having pride in yourself and your people and having a well-rounded understanding of the world. If anyone asked me my religion, I would quickly say “Jewish.” Some of you may disagree because the way I practice my faith is strange in comparison to yours, but I hope one day you’ll be excited to meet someone who sees Judaism a little differently from you and realize that no matter how many times you disagree, you will always have the same answers to many of the truly important questions.

Michele Pinczuk is a teen journalist who freelances for several publications, including The New York Times. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area. Michele loves New York and Saturday Night Live. Her role models are Gilda Radner, Golda Meir, her grandmom, mom and Aunt Sylvia. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.

Elizabeth Kirshner is passionate about being Jewish, being on the JTab, people-watching, living life to the fullest and collecting quotes. She always has a song stuck in her head, usually Regina Spektor (a MOT), KT Tunstall or Jason Mraz. The Style Network is a must, and fashion magazines are more than a guilty pleasure.

Jaime Bolker is a student at International High School in San Francisco. She’s a pop-culture junkie and is currently obsessed with Dawson’s Creek re-runs and Bob Marley. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.

Jeffrey E. Rollman recently spent a semester abroad in Israel. He lives in Los Angeles and likes running cross country, politics, reading and weight lifting. He’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.