This is another issue that arouses my passion, so I've kept quiet while thinking about how to reply concisely. I was born into a family of Radical Reform Jews and embrace most of that approach to life (It is true my great-grandfather's obituary contains the statement that he "was a member of no religious or fraternal organization). I was among the founders of a new congregation, where I conducted some services, taught school, helped organize the youth group, and chaired the social action committee. I have participated in the governance of my denomination from local to international levels. Interfaith understanding has come to be of special interest.
Judaism does not require one to believe in God, but rather to act as if God exists and cares. I am commanded to do some things, to refrain from doing other things, and not to submit to injustice. The exact nature of those commands is determined by my interpretation of thousands of years of Jewish thought and action. Scriptures are a human creation, not scientific truth, but invaluable for insights into the human character. Ritual is important to me either as art or for its effect on my ethical life.
Mysticism is an interest of mine. I celebrated my fortieth birthday by studying for a week with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Br. David Steindl-Rast, and a couple other teachers. We are not rational creatures, nor can I grasp the whole of creation with my mind.
Religion has shaped my approach to gender. As a kid, I noticed in Genesis that we are created male and female. That validated my personal gender ID. God in Judaism has no gender, but is treated at times as male and other times as female. Enough for now.
May we each experience, recognize, and acknowledge one hundred blessings today,
S
