Rebry, you have proven my point, and in the month of Elul no less. How rude! It’s the Orthodox Union, by the way, not the Modern Orthodox Union.
aurora77, according to traditional Jewish teachings, rabbis are supposed to discourage prospective converts by, among other things, asking them why they would want to assume the burdens of being Jewish.
As you can see from this brief exchange, there are many Orthodox Jews who believe that only their way is the “right” way. (As an obvious exaample, for those who believe it is “wrong” to have internet access, we are all in trouble.) As far as some posters are concerned, not only are those with whom they disagree not Orthodox, they might even consider them not Jewish. In my humble opinion, this is wrong according to Jewish Law.
For many people here, they were born into families that followed a particular Jewish philosophy and so they continue with what they learned at home or in school. You, however, are in a different situation as you can choose which rabbi you wish to consult who represents which group you might wish to join.
I understand what you mean when you speak of being an advocate as I am an attorney. Within my Orthodox congregation there are both men and women who are lawyers, physicians and all sorts of professions. There are also Orthodox (actually chareidi or chasidic) congregations where the rabbis and members believe that women should not attend college or law or medical school and not engage in occupations like this. If this way of thinking works for them, fine. Does it work for you?
FYI, here in New York, U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin keeps a shomer shabbos courtroom.
Former Attorney General and former federal judge Michael Mukasey is a member of the Orthodox congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and attended the Ramaz yeshiva. I could go on, but you get the picture.
Again, good luck.