[Lynn]

...just to clarify more about Judaism. Chasidism is not a mainstream "level" of Judaism. It's really outside of the practice of mainstream Judaism. One online definition states (thefreedictionary.com):

n. pl. Ha·si·dim or Has·si·dim also Chas·si·dim (ä-sdm, ô-, hä-)
A member of a Jewish mystic movement founded in the 18th century in eastern Europe by Baal Shem Tov that reacted against Talmudic learning and maintained that God's presence was in all of one's surroundings and that one should serve God in one's every deed and word.

It is not a single movement, but varies in many ways from one Eastern European community to another. If you live in NYC, you will see different styles of dress and traditions which are very much associated with different regions.

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist Judaism are distinguished by differences in ideology and interpretation. One who practices any of these types of Judaism is no less religious than another, though. If you practice faithfully what you believe, then you are religious. But, an Orthodox Jew is much more traditional than a Reform Jew. If you're Orthodox, you might dismiss the other practices of Judaism as invalid. But, not necessarily. There is much room in Judaism for questioning.

Thank you for letting me fill in the blanks a little, so that understanding can be a little clearer.

Lynn