The

Way,
We

Learn

Swimming

It takes determination
to rethink the needs
of Jewish education.

HARLENE APPELMAN
Special to the Jewish News

involvement. The decision
to embark upon a search for
more Jewish learning and
n a recent- provocative and
involvement may come
important study. Stanford
about for reasons beyond the
University researcher
control of educators and
Arnold M. Eisen notes that
communal leaders; but once
in the face of our-societal melting
the decision is made, the
pot, one of:the most important
opportunity to begin a
questions for Jews today is: fr
course of Jewish enrichment
distinctive do I want to be from
om
needs to be available and vis-
the larger society? How distinct
ible."
do I want my children to be?"
• Build meaningful Jewish
The larger society is far more
communities in congrega-
hospitable than it has ever been.
tions and elsewhere. This
It is not a great fear to vanish
moderately affiliated popula-
into the American society.
tion is seeking inspired com-
Years ago, I overheard a child
munities.
and her mother engaged
in a
• Promote intensive forms
n b
conversation about a Jewish
of informal Jewish education.
observance at a Jewish
They write, "[Scholar and
Experiences For Families event.
philosopher Abraham
After answering several of her
Joshua]
Heschel noted 40
Harlene Appelman — "No one part of the Jewish com-
child's questions, the woman
years
ago,
the community
munity can work in a vacuum and still be effective."
finally looked at her child and
errs in stressing only the
stared simply, "We swim
obligations an individual
upstream.
Professor Eisen's study, The Jew
bears to the group and not
Within: Self Community and
How do \ve educate and parent to
the obligation that the Jewish commu-
Commitment Among the Variety of
swim upstream, and are we willing to
nit• bears toward every Jew: providing
Moderately Affiliated, which he con-
accept all the consequences of that
resources for intellectual and spiritual
ducted with Steven M. Cohen of
simple statement? Can we see the
a r o wth.
Hebrew University, highlights the crit-
strength that Judaism offers in insur-
• Capitalize on parenthood. Young
ical role of the moderately affiliated.
ing that we swim upstream and nor
parents are open to advice on how to
These are the Jews who have chosen
disappear into the ,melting pot? Can
create a Jewish home and welcome rit-
to become members of our communi-
\ ve acknowledge that this type of
uals, which will strengthen family
ty, but are not necessarily engaged at
demand also builds the moral courage
bonds.
the moment in Jewish life. Cohen
to - resist peer pressure and ger swept
• Mobilize grandparents. Remind
characterizes these Jews as "pclicy crit-
away in the tides that our children
grandparents of their ability to favor-
/- and families face daily? This will
ical," the population that will deter-
ably influence the Jewish identity of
mine the future of American Jewry.
determine the shape of Jewish educa-
their grandchildren. An even newer
They, in fact, are many of us.
tion over the next five years.
study just released by Bruce Phillips of
In their study, Cohen and Eisen
Hebrew Union College reports that
identify broad actions that the Jewish
Jewish grandparents under-utilize their
Harlene Appelman is director of the
community can take, including:
influence.
Alliance for Jewish. Education of
• Multiply opportunities for
What becomes clear in these find-
Metropolitan Detroit.

I

ings is that no one part of the Jewish
community can work in a vacuum
and still be effective. Afternoon
schools,. adult education and family
education, as well as youth groups,
etc., cannot function independently of
each other in a single institution in
the community. To build the inspired
communities called for we must look
at the entire community as a system.
That means that additional collabora-
tions among agencies, congregations
and organizations should be promoted
as paramount.
Nationally, as well as
there has
been a cry for well-trained professionals
(teachers, principals, youth-group work-
ers and camp counselors). However,
unless institutions are willing ro refor-
mulate and reexamine old suppositions,
these new personnel will have little
impact on our communities.
The Detroit Jewish community has
never shied away from opportunities
or challenges. It has been a pacesetter
nationally on Jewish issues over and
over again. As the work of Federation's
Alliance for Jewish Education unfolds,
there has been a spirit of optimism
and enthusiasm that is energizing. As
a result, it would make sense that this
community would take the newest
research and, keeping in mind the
uniqueness of our community, use this
information as additional guideposts
in our educational map for the future.
For along with providing exciting,
substantive eduCational opportunities;
building a meaningful community;
capitalizing on the best that technolo-
gy has to offer; creating excellent
informal and family education oppor-
tunities and even mobilizing grand-
parents, the question remains: Are we
willing to swim upstream? Li

8/6

1999

Detroit Jewish News

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