The Washington Post recently asked, “Is Jamie Raskin Orthodox?”, posing the question, “Is he Jewish, or just a Jewish person?” The answer is complicated. Pew Research Center data shows that six out of ten Jews are predominantly Jewish by ancestry, while only 15 percent are primarily Jewish by religion. But Raskin’s own words, as told to the Post, tell the story.
orthodox vs orthodox
As an expert on constitutional law, Jamie Raskin claims to stand in the moral center of marriage equality. But his own actions in Congress suggest a very different view. He has shown disrespect for married Orthodox women in dysfunctional relationships by opposing a bill that would have allowed an agunah to escape the marriage. He even opposed a bill that would have prohibited an Orthodox woman from remarrying.
orthodox vs observant jew
While many Jewish Americans are ambivalent about whether to be orthodox or observant, Raskin is an observant Jew, but his family isn’t – his mother, Bloom, was born in Detroit and raised in Medford, Mass. She was an ordained rabbi and served alongside the mother of Bob Dylan. Her husband, Tommy Raskin, teaches at a synagogue in Chevy Chase, Md.
A common question that arises in the debate between orthodoxy and observance is whether religious dietary laws affect the ability of Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews to practice their faith. While many Orthodox Jews wear kippahs or hats at all times, there are also many observant Jews who don’t wear them in public places, such as in courtrooms. The observant Jew may find themselves in a situation where wearing a kippah will cause antisemitic scrutiny.
orthodox vs atheist
If you’re wondering about the religious beliefs of a candidate, it’s easy to see why he may have a hard time winning the Democratic primary. Many polls show a clear negative attitude toward atheists, while nearly a quarter of American adults identify as “nones.” But is Raskin really an atheist? He has not explicitly told the Washington Post that he doesn’t believe in God, and his campaign has not responded to a request for comment.
The Times’ coverage of Raskin’s religion has led to many acrimonious arguments. The Times asked rabbis to explain why the candidate’s religious views are so important, but it didn’t bother to ask other agnostic Jews. Raskin, a member of Washington’s Temple Sinai, has three sons who have become bar/bat mitzvahs, but he has never told anyone he’s an atheist. And he certainly won’t answer the question in a political context.
orthodox vs observant
The controversy over whether the TV actor Jamie Raskin is orthodox or observant in his religion is not new, but it still elicits heated debate. Raskin declined to comment on whether he practices the atheist philosophy, and he has wisely remained quiet about his private beliefs in the political arena. For those who want to know more, here’s a look at some of Raskin’s stances.
orthodox vs progressive
Despite his Jewish heritage, Rep. Jamie Raskin’s orthodoxy is not entirely clear. His bubbe was a member of Hadassah in Minnesota, where she served alongside Bob Dylan’s mother. His maternal grandfather was a renowned economist from Medford, Mass., and his wife, Bloom, is Jewish. Her three children include Tommy, Jacob, and Daniel. Raskin is a Harvard-trained constitutional law professor and member of the Democratic Party.
While many orthodox Republicans and conservatives are worried that a candidate with a progressive pedigree will be too liberal for progressives, Raskin’s record suggests otherwise. His father founded an influential progressive think tank, and he has excelled as a constitutional scholar on the House Judiciary Committee. He has also led the call for impeaching Trump. His endorsement by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and J StreetPAC has bolstered his progressive credentials.
