This Week

Leaner And Meaner

Leaders want a stronger, more active Conservative movement.

JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Washington, D. C.
he Conservative movement is seeking to
create a more educated and religiously
committed membership, what one rabbi
described as "a leaner, meaner
Conservative movement."
The focus comes as demographic changes — par-
ticularly intermarriage — erode the Conservative
movement's position as the dominant Jewish stream
in North America.
While some fear Conservative Judaism is losing
ground to the Reform movement — which has in
recent years expanded through greater inclusiveness
of diversegroups and a return to some traditional
practices — few Conservative Jews are urging the
movement to become more liberal or less demand-
ing. Rather, the movement appears to be moving to
step up demands on congregants and focus on a
smaller, but more committed, core.
In a rare Washington convention combining five
national Conservative bodies — the first time all
had met together — several major speeches this
week focused on requirements and demands.
Speaking on "The Synagogue of the Future," Dr.
Steven Cohen, a sociology professor at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem who has studied contempo-
rary American Jewish identity, suggested that higher
standards, along with a greater focus on personal
meaning and spirituality, will strengthen the
Conservative movement.
"At times of high anxiety about Jewish stability
and continuity, our tendency is to demand less,
become less judgmental and more inclusive," he
said. In fact, this strategy is counterproductive."
Cohen cited research about churches by sociolo-
gist Laurence Iannoccone, who concluded that
churches that demand more voluntarism and reli-
gious proficiency tend to be more vibrant and popu-
lar than ones that set lower bars.
"Yes, demanding more may mean discouraging
some from joining our ranks; but fortunately, those
who find us too demanding can turn to other valued
Jewish choices for affiliation," Cohen said. "At the
same time, those who come to Conservative com-
munities will be drawn to places that exude a spiri-
tual vitality, communal cohesiveness and serious reli-
giosity."
Cohen, like many others at the convention, also
pointed out that while there is still a disconnect in
observance between leaders and the rank and file,
recent studies show that more Conservative Jews are
educated and observant than at any time in recent
history.
Younger members, particularly graduates of the
growing number of liberal Jewish day schools and the
movement's Ramah network of summer camps, are

2/15 .
2002

24

Rabbi Judy Yudof, the first woman to be elected
president of the United Synagogue of Conservative
Judaism, confers with Dr. Steven Cohen, of Hebrew
University, during a session at the Conservative
movement's convention this week in Washington.

often more observant and educated than their elders.
In addition, adult education participation is growing,
both through synagogues and community-based pro-
grams like the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.
Many in the field said they are noticing those
changes. Rabbi David Lerner ofiNorth Suburban
Synagogue Beth El in suburban Chicago, said, "I
feel like we're a leaner, meaner Conservative move-
ment. We have a more knowledgeable cohort that is
more observant than their parents, but we're maybe
a little smaller.

"

More Observance

Rabbi Jerome Epstein, the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism's executive vice president, focused
his speech at the convention around standards as well.
While it may be unrealistic to expect the majority of
Conservative congregants to immediately become fully
observant, Rabbi Epstein said, some basic requirements
can serve as a "springboard for further Jewish growth."
What Rabbi Epstein called his "Compact of
Commitment" includes commitments to regularly
give tzedakah (charity), light Shabbat candles and
have a Shabbat meal, recite the blessing over bread
before each meal, avoid shellfish and pork if not
keeping fully kosher, and engage in ongoing adult
learning.
Rabbi Epstein urged synagogue leaders to
"become the beacon to inspire Conservative Jews to
live a more fulfilling and meaningful life."
"The goal must not be to lower expectations; but to

create the 'bandwagon effect' of commitment to Jewish
living — in which we are all involved and growing."
Rabbis and others said they supported higher stan-
dards, but some said it can be a tricky balancing act
to be simultaneously more demanding and more
welcoming. "If you demand more, your congregants
have more respect for what you're doing," said
Rebecca Holmes, executive director of Temple
Emunah in Lexington, Mass.
But Rabbi Debra Eisenman of Beth Tikva of West
Boca, Fla., warned that people will rarely become
more observant simply because they're commanded.
"You can say it over and over, but they'll do what
they want," Rabbi Eisenman said.
Ultimately, Jewish behavior has to be "modeled"
by the rabbi and demonstrated as something that
will add meaning to people's lives, she said. "It's
important to listen to what people need, then to say
its wonderful that you have those needs and this is
how Jewish tradition answers them."
Rabbi Isaac Jeret of Temple Emanu-El in Palm
'Beach, Fla., agreed. "When we talk about standards
and demands, those are administrative words from
an administrative mind," he said. "I like words like
compelling and enthusiasm. If we're enthusiastic
about something, we create a passionate, compelling
experience that makes a standard meaningful."
Rabbi Felipe Goodman of Temple Beth Sholom in
Las Vegas said synagogues need to make sure congre-
gants feel a reason to become more involved and
observant, before piling on rules. The debate over
requirements reminded him of a bitter dispute he
encountered when he first came to his synagogue
several years ago.
At the time, few people showed up for Shabbat
services, but the old-timers were adamant about
keeping a rule requiring all people reciting the bless-
ings before the Torah to wear a tie. "I said, 'Who are
you going to enforce this will on?' " he said.
At the heart of the tension that sometimes exists
between imposing standards and being welcoming is
the issue of intermarriage. Unlike the more liberal
Reform movement, the Conservative movement
actively discourages intermarriage, does not allow its
rabbis to officiate at intermarriages and does not
allow non-Jewish spouses to become synagogue
members.
Seen as poor Jewish role models, intermarried Jews
are often excluded from leadership positions. They
are not allowed to be religious school teachers, and
in some synagogues they are not allowed to serve on
the board. In one session at this week's convention,
a rabbi said she had turned down a pulpit position
because some of the synagogue's board members
were intermarried.
And while leaders say they want to encourage con-
version and do not want to lose Jews who intermarry,
the movement has generally avoided reaching out to
interfaith families, fearing that doing so would
undermine Jewish prohibitions against intermarriage.

Intermarriage Debate ,

However, a small number of intermarried Jews are
joining Conservative synagogues anyway, and sev-
eral Conservative leaders are urging the movement
to do a better job of welcoming intermarried fam-

