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From: R. Nachmani
Subject: Formative experiences
Date: 14 Elul 5783
Subject: The missing dimension
I have been reviewing the categories we have defined, and I believe we are missing something important.
We have background. We have practice. We have beliefs. We have denominational affiliation. We have relationship to Israel.
We do not have formative experiences.
What shaped a person's Judaism may matter as much as what they currently practice. Did they go to Jewish summer camp? Did they participate in a youth movement? Did they do Birthright? Did they spend a gap year in Israel?
These experiences leave marks. In my community, the youth who studied with certain teachers in Baghdad carried that formation their whole lives. A person who went to Camp Ramah carries something different than someone who went to Habonim. A person who did Birthright at 22 carries something different than someone who grew up visiting family in Tel Aviv.
I propose we add an Xp category for formative experiences.
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