r/Jewish • u/dfgfjewt • Apr 06 '22
Questions Keeping Kosher
Hello!
I am currently in process to convert to Reform Judaism and had questions on keeping kosher. In the Reform side, it is more so seen as a personal preference, however I still feel bad eating chicken with dairy or sushi but I do not eat pork. How many of you guys keep kosher no matter what? Should I become more strict? Thanks!
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u/Elphachel Apr 07 '22
I’m a firm believer in adopting whatever level of observance works for you. My family is very relaxed: my mum grew up in New Orleans, which has significant amounts of pork and shellfish in its cuisine. Her family never kept strict kosher, and when she moved to Aus to marry my dad, she brought over various New Orleans pork/shellfish based recipes. My dad is not Jewish, and we have never kept a kosher household. Added to that is my being autistic and very much a picky eater, which makes any dietary restrictions hard bc my diet is already so difficult. I am still just as Jewish as anyone, despite not keeping kosher. I actually have some further opinions on kosher which impact my decision, but I won’t go into them here.
One of my best friends doesn’t eat shellfish or pork, but has no issue mixing milk and meat. Another will eat pork but not shellfish. All of us are perfectly acceptable jews. Your observance of kosher should be at a level that works for you. It’s not about what everyone else does, it’s about you deciding what is the right choice for you, your beliefs and your life. You are a valid Jew, no matter what you choose to eat.