n Jewish Education

The Key Is

Consistency

Children need role models
who practice Judaism, a rabbi argues.

RABBI AVRAHAM
JACOBOVITZ
Special to the Jewish News

`Any educational
program that is
theoretical but
unpracticed is
doomed to fail."

E

xamining the educational
challenges of the future, it
seems to me that many
among us follow the "wis-
dorn" derived from the following
story about a town built on the two
sides of a river connected by a
bridge.
As the road on the bridge dete-
riorated with age, potholes began
to form to the point of being dan-
gerous to passing vehicles. One
day, a pothole became so large
that a small car fell through it,
plunging into the river.
Immediately, emergency crews
were dispatched to rescue the dri-
ver and passengers. Traffic came to
a standstill for many hours.
The rescue operation was suc-
cessful, and the bridge was reopened
to traffic. Small cars, however, were
no longer allowed to drive on the
bridge.
Two days later another car, this •
time a medium-sized one, made the
plunge into the cold river waters.
Once aaain , the frantic and tumul-
tuous rescue efforts nearly paralyzed
the town's daily routine. The citizens
were extremely disturbed..
When this scenario repeated itself.
third time., the townspeople began
demonstrating and the city council
held an emergency meeting.
After lengthy discussions and many
hours of de l iberation, the leaders came
up with a brilliant solution. The city
council unanimously agreed ro build
an emergency room directly beneath
the bridge to avoid any further inter-

Rabbi Avraham .Jacobovitz is the
founder and director of Oak Park-based
Mach. on L'Torah and director of the
Jewish Research Center in Ann Arbor

8/6
1999

80 Detroit Jewish News

and customs. But I am con-
vinced that the only effective
and long-lasting means to
achieving our desired goal of
true continuity is by method-
ically and consistently
enlightening our students to
the deep and rich logic of the
Torah's commandments,
alongside the practice of what
they have come to appreciate.
Any educational program.
that is theoretical but unprac-
ticed is doomed to fail.
The first step to. recovery
after admitting and recogniz
ing the problem is good old-fash-
ioned, real Torah study from real peo-
ple who practice what they preach.
The second step is to stress to our stu-
dents, young and old, that if they real-
ly wish to contribute to the Jewish
people, they must do so, but not only
by lip service or through writing
checks. Rather, they must themselves _
become practicing Jews.
Locally, Machon L'Torah, the
Jewish Learning Network of
Michigan, has launched an extensive
educational program founded on the
above-mentioned principles. The
unprecedented success of our efforts
rekindles the hope for a major turn-
around in the downward spiral that
we have witnessed for decades. Similai
efforts are sprouting throughdut
N6rth America.
The Jewish community's support of
activities such as Machon UTorah's
learning network and its Jewish
Resource Center at the University of
Michigan, Aish HaTorah, Ohr
Somayach and Partners in Torah at
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah will d.erermin_
the shape of Detroit Jewry for the nex
five years and beyond.
It is in our best interest to stop
building hospitals under badly darn-
aged bridges. Yes, there is hope, much
hope. Let us capitalize on it. Hi

ruption and inconvenience caused by
cars falling through holes in the
bridge .
In the face of the steadily widen-
ing potholes of Jewish education in
the bridge of Jewish continuity, it is
bewildering to hear the ideas of sup-
posedly sophisticated educators sug-
gestinab the erection of emergency
educational facilities under the
bridge. Anyone with the courage to
look at the future of Jewish educa-
tion with honesty and integrity will
conclude that the only assurance to
Jewish continuity is to discontinue
the so-called "continuity" that per-
petuates the problem.
Children and young adults emulate
their role models, their parents, teach-

ers, relatives, etc. Only indi-
viduals and communities,
who themselves practice
Judaism, have a chance to
educate a generation of
devoted Jews who will con-
tinue and possibly outdo
and improve upon their
role-models' teachings. Any
other approach to preserve
the precious legacy of the
Jewish people has failed and
will surely repeat its failure
in the future.
I must emphasize that
it is refreshing to see the
encouraging ideas and programs that
reflect an awareness of the above ,
mentioned concerns. I believe that
in spite of the horrifyingly gloomy
predictions due to alarming assimila-
tion and intermarriage rates, there
are strong signs
0 of an alert and sig-
nificant minority of Jews who are
reawakening themselves and their
families to the intellectual beauty
and warmth of Judaism. Although
we must reach out to Jews of all
backgrounds,
I believe that the
-
nucleus of survival and revival of our
people lies within this reawakened
.
group.
It seems unrealistic for most of the
individuals in this category and at this
stage to adhere to all the Jewish laws

