Business
As Usual
Agency for Jewish Education upbeat at annual
meeting despite uncertainty about its future.
sionals, rabbis, education directors
and Hebrew school teachers.
Speakers included Federation
President Bob Naftaly, AJE President
Dr. Lynda Giles, Gelberd and Rabbi
Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, president of
Jewish Life Network, a 3-year-old
organization that aims "to create
new institutions and initiatives to
enrich the inner life of American
Jewry."
Naftaly said Federation was "look-
ing to strengthen our relationship with
the AJE." Giles said she was optimistic
about the future and urged audience
members to "become advocates for
Jewish education." She also Gelberd
Angeles. Neither she nor Gelberd
described what his position would be
at the temple, which operates a 2,400-
student school.
t was a positive affair: optimistic
Gelberd spoke of his commitment
speeches, election of new board
to a "quality Jewish classroom," and
members, tributes to staffers and
urged the community to invest in
presentation of awards to
teachers, curricula and new strategies.
Hebrew school teachers who have
He described the AJE's accomplish-
opted to continue their professional
ments: Synagogues have increased their
training.
p ost-b'nai mitzvah retention rates;
Yet, although absent from discus-
"children are more attentive in classes;"
sions at its annual meeting Tuesday
new venues for adult Jewish education
night, the 6-year-old Agency for
have been explored through a lecture
Jewish Education is in a state of flux.
series at the West Bloomfield Barnes &
Several key staff positions face vacan-
Noble bookstore; and prayer is being
cies and an unnamed interim director
taught through a "meaningful
— rather than a
approach" that
permanent staff
stresses Hebrew
person — has
comprehension. At
been hired to
2 the conclusion of
replace departing
Gelberd's address,
Executive
Giles presented him
Director Howard
with a farewell gift,
Gelberd. The
a basket of
community is
"Michigan goodies."
awaiting results
Greenberg, an
from a Jewish
Orthodox rabbi
Federation of
and founder and
Metropolitan
former president of
Detroit-commis-
CLAL: The
sioned evaluation
National Jewish
of the AJE, and
Center for Learning
Federation
and Leadership,
Executive
delivered a power-
Director Bob
ful keynote address
Aronson last
on "Rethinking
week told The
Jewish Education
Jewish News that
for the 21st
"there are ques-
Century." He
tions about the
Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, the keynote speaker at AJE's annual meeting.
pointed out that
future" of the
the American
agency.
Jewish
community
is
not unique in its
for
his
contributions
to
the
AJE
and
AJE's annual meeting drew about
struggle
with
assimilation,
stating that
said
it
was
because
of
his
accomplish-
250. Attendees mainly were AJE
the late 20th century has witnessed a
ments here that he was offered a job at
board and staff, Federation leaders,
"worldwide transformation."
the Stephen Wise Temple in Los
various Jewish communal profes-
JULIE WIENER
StaffWriter
I
o
6/5
1998
24
"For the first time in world history,
people live in the presence of the
other," said Greenberg, explaining that
in the modern information age, no
culture, not even ultra-Orthodox
Judaism, is sheltered from outside
philosophies and influences. "The
dikes cannot be high enough," he said.
"This [modern, secular] culture is too
irresistible."
He urged the Jewish community to
face the challenges of competing with
outside cultural influences by increas-
ing and enhancing educational oppor-
tunities for Jews at all age levels.
"Education is essential, but it can't be
viewed as narrowly as a classroom set-
ting," said Greenberg. "You have to
provide people with a sense of mean-
ing, powerful central organizing prin-
ciples and a set of memories that filter
their experiences."
Greenberg said by improving exist-
ing institutions, the community could
achieve "universal literacy:" He said
"This is not a
matter of
survival. It's a
matter of
renaissance.''
-- Rabbi Greenberg
Jewish day schools should be made
financially accessible and a visit to
Israel should become a "birthright."
While stressing the importance of
Jewish camps, youth movements
(including campus Hillel organiza-
tions), adult learning retreats and
Israel study in strengthening Jewish
identity, Greenberg also called for syn-
agogue renewal and upgrading of con-
gregational schools.
"When you are living in an open
society, you have to get people again
and again," he said. "Each factor is
cumulative."
Greenberg concluded with a note
of optimism. He described the current
assimilation woes facing the American
Jewish community as "stabilization
that precedes revival." He then added:
"This is not a matter of survival. It's a
matter of renaissance." He received a
standing ovation. El