Jitter - I am (as you may know) am Jewish. My Jewish identity has always been very important to me. I haven't stepped foot into a synagogue in over 10 years (when I was honored to read from the Torah at a friend's daughter's Bat Mitzvah, it was one of the most powerful things I've ever done).
If I was to put a "name" to it, I'd call myself a "cultural" Jew. There are various sects of very religious Jewish groups and I have some disagreement with some of their beliefs and practices when it comes to Judaism. I've studied the Torah and Talmud in the original Hebrew and Aramaic and some of how they interpret those doctrines in my view do not jive. None the less, and most importantly - I believe strongly in faith and spirituality in whatever form it may come.
I gather my friends, Jewish and non-Jewish on Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) and Passover for celebration. I've been doing this for close to 25 years - watched the children in our community grow with these celebrations and most importantly watched the Jewish ones form their own identities and as young adults they look forward to these gatherings - not from a religious stand point but rather as an opportunity to gather with our communal family.
Religion, faith, spirituality serves different people in different ways. For me its that sense of community, love and sharing - and of course, food!
I've never been into dogma. As a child in a private Jewish school I questioned everything - which is why I ended up leaving that type of education in the 7th Grade. The Rabbis I encountered there were more interested in the WHAT as opposed to the why.
I am a Zionist. I believe in the necessity for the State of Israel to exist. Its a tough one for me because over the years I find it hard to defend some of that government's actions. But - based on history I do believe a strong "Jewish" state is necessary for us to survive.
I believe in God. I don't believe in a vengeful God. I am not afraid of God. But I try to talk to him/her regularly. I find that its when I'm in Jamaica that's when we "talk" the most. I kind of had a "fight" with God four years ago but we are mending our relationship one day at a time.
With differing beliefs and traditions the one constant I have found in all religions is love and respect. If all humans could just have that one core foundation and work from there I believe the world would be a much better place for it.