Jewish Identity

Haggadah Section: -- Four Children

For centuries Jewish identity was synonymous with the Jewish religion. This began to change starting in the mid-17th century as movements for political rights and equality moved across Europe. Jews had more opportunities to interact with other cultures and communities, and as a result, ideas about religion and identity changed. As Jonathan Sarna writes, what made modern democratic society unique is voluntaryism, “the principle that individuals are free to choose their religious beliefs and associations without political, ecclesiastical or communal coercion.”

Without the community telling Jews how to express their Judaism and with exposure to secular culture new forms of Jewish identity came about. These included a strictly cultural Jewish identity that removed religion from the equation and instead focused on the liberal and fine arts.

Today, many Jews around the world identify with Judaism solely through cultural means. Jewish educators and community leaders have found ways to communicate values, set agendas, and organize constituencies through cultural mechanisms, thus infusing the cultural Jewish community with a strong self-identity separate from the traditional Jewish theology.

Investing in Judaism’s rich cultural heritage doesn’t always mean a total divorce from religion. Many Jews are customizing their investment in Judaism, coming up with communities and organizations for everything from Jewish vegans, to Jewish pacifists, to Jewish parents with autistic children.

Even the appearance of Jews has changed, as multiracial families become a larger segment of the Jewish community, integrating Korean, Chinese, Ethiopian and many other backgrounds into the Jewish mix.

Life context has become a major factor in how people choose their communities and affiliations. Some single people may join communities in order to find partners. Young parents may decide they want to send their children to Jewish schools, and seniors may join synagogues or Jewish community centers in order to attend classes and activities with other retirees.

Israel and Zionism have added another spoke to the wheel of Jewish identity, with many Jews associating mainly or partially with Israel. Visiting Israel can elicit strong feelings of loyalty and obligation to the land of the Bible. Many Jews around the world see Israel as the ultimate guarantor of the Jewish people’s survival, and are driven by a deep commitment to the idea of Israel.

How do you define your Jewish identity? What do you accept of the traditional Jewish identity? What do you reject? How do you see yourself in terms of the five sons? How about your children? Your grandchildren? What is the value of diversity in Jewish practices and what is lost?  What will Judaism look like in 3 or 4 generations?  Will Judaism exist in 3 or 4 generations?  Why, or why not?

Clip Featured in Haggadot's2019 Favorites
Edit Clip
2019 Favorites
HA
Haggadot
Table of contents
    Nirtzah
  • Passover is the night for reckless dreams
  • Conclusion
  • Nirtzah: The end is the beginning is the end
  • Sing... Sing a Song
    • Introduction
  • Shabbat Candles
  • Lighting of the Candles Additional Blessing
  • We are the Generation between the flames
  • Map of the Exodus
  • Seder Plate Art
    • Kadesh
  • Kadesh
  • Stranger in a Strange Land
    • Urchatz
  • Urchatz: Washing Our Hands Before We Begin the Seder
    • Karpas
  • Before Karpas
  • Karpas
  • Karpas, Rebirth and Renewal
    • Yachatz
  • The Matzah of Peace
  • The meaning of Passover
  • Yachatz - Breaking the Middle Matzah
    • Maggid - Beginning
  • Maggid (Introduction)
    • -- Four Questions
  • The Four Questions
  • Alternate Four Seinfeld Questions (to be asked by four neurotic adults):
  • Hunger Seder: Four Questions
  • Mazon's Fifth Question (2019)
    • -- Four Children
  • Jewish Identity
  • The Four LGBTQIA+ Jews
  • Four Children
  • Four Faces of Senior Hunger
  • The Four Children Approach the Future
  • The Four Janets
    • -- Exodus Story
  • The Story of Passover (Skit)
  • The Passover Story by Miriam
    • -- Ten Plagues
  • The Ten Plagues
  • 10 Quotes from 2018- Modern Plagues
  • 10 Plagues
    • -- Cup #2 & Dayenu
  • Dayenu: Behind the Music (A Fictional Origins Story)
  • Fanny Neuda - First Days of Passover Prayer
  • Second Cup of Wine
  • Cup #2 of Wine
    • Bareich
  • Miriam and Elijah – Two Cups for Your Seder
  • Bareich
  • Third Cup of Wine
    • Rachtzah
  • Rachtzah
    • Motzi-Matzah
  • An Ode to Bread
  • #SecondSederPlate for Today's Refugees
    • Maror
  • Maror
  • Have Yourself a Piece of Bitter Maror
    • Koreich
  • The Wandering is Over Haggadah - Koreich
    • Songs
  • Games
    • Shulchan Oreich
  • Passover Around The World Trivia
    • Tzafun
  • Afikoman
  • Afikomen Prize
    • Hallel
  • Zeroah
  • Fourth Cup of Wine
    • Commentary / Readings
  • Welcoming All: An Inclusive Passover Reading
  • Commentary
  • Inspired to create
    your own Haggadah?

    Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

    Have an idea
    for a clip?

    People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

    Support Us
    with your donation

    Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
    home-based Jewish rituals.

    OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

    contributor image
    Esther Kustanowitz
    4 Haggadahs44 Clips
    contributor image
    JQ International
    1 Haggadah40 Clips
    contributor image
    MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
    5 Haggadahs109 Clips
    contributor image
    18Doors
    1 Haggadah13 Clips
    contributor image
    JewishBoston
    1 Haggadah78 Clips
    contributor image
    Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
    1 Haggadah36 Clips
    contributor image
    American Jewish World Service
    1 Haggadah44 Clips
    contributor image
    JewBelong
    3 Haggadahs57 Clips
    contributor image
    Repair the World
    12 Clips
    contributor image
    HIAS
    5 Haggadahs48 Clips
    contributor image
    Be'chol Lashon
    2 Haggadahs27 Clips
    contributor image
    PJ Library
    1 Haggadah17 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish World Watch
    3 Haggadahs42 Clips
    contributor image
    Secular Synagogue
    10 Clips
    contributor image
    SVIVAH
    1 Haggadah9 Clips
    contributor image
    The Blue Dove Foundation
    20 Clips
    contributor image
    ReformJudaism.org
    24 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish Emergent Network
    1 Haggadah22 Clips

    Passover Guide

    Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
    know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
    to all of your questions.

    Haggadot

    Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

    Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
    All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.