EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
•
A Story To Ponder
tional membership, reduced voluntarism and geographic dis-
persion of the Jewish population."
We couldn't possibly have allowed the prosperity we've
enjoyed economically, politically and socially in America to
devalue who we are as Jews, I thought to myself. Or have we?
We may have. Materialism and self-image too often crowd
out Torah expressions like humility and mitzvot. It's no won-
der the Wilstein Institute is focusing on "Jewish identity, con-
tinuity and affiliation," a phrase I would dismiss as worn if it
didn't so accurately capture three of our key pillars as a people.
I 'm a Jew — an American Jew. The distinction is
notable.
Israel is the beloved homeland of the Jewish people.
It unites and inspires us. It's a symbol of our will to
survive. We're richer because of it. There's no mistaking that,
especially during these trying times in the Middle East.
But America is my home.
So I continue to wrestle with distinguishing between all that
we share as Americans and what we identify with spiritually,
Staying Focused
politically and geographically as Jews.
In his article, Dr. Rubin raises several questions that speak to
That's why I was so struck by a simple, yet cogent idea in
the American Jewish agenda, at least as the Wilstein Institute
the spring issue of the Bulletin, the journal of
sees it. Some spurred me to respond with a local context:
the Susan and David Wilstein Institute of
• "Can Jewish affiliation be both affordable and also
Jewish Policy Studies.
meaningful?" This is a burning issue for Detroit Jewry as we
"Our story as Americans and our story as
grapple with helping young families, eager to set a Jewish
Jews became inextricably and beautifully
pattern in their lives, embrace a synagogue, the Jewish
entwined," says Barry Shrage, president of
Community Center, Jewish day care, a Jewish day or after-
Boston's Combined Jewish Philanthropies,
noon school, and Jewish camping experiences — and not
quoted in the article "The New Jewish
go broke or, equally worse, turn away from Judaism.
Agenda: Building Community in the New
ROBERT A. Millennium." The article is by Dr. Lawrence
• "Is the annual federation campaign dead?" Detroit
SKLAR
Jewry weighs in with the fourth-largest cam-
Rubin of New York City. He's a
paign per capita despite being the llth-largest
Editor
senior scholar for the Newton
in population, thanks to some big givers, lots
Centre, Mass.-based Wilstein
of smaller donors, an emphasis locally as well
Institute and director of its American Jewish
as overseas, and a federation willing to bend
Agenda Project.
with the times so it stays relevant. But will
I agree with Shrage's overview assessment.
philanthropists always be there to put u's over
But I admit that I worry about America's boun-
the top for each year's campaign?
ty forcing us to dodge the effects of assimilation,
• "Are the goals of the Jewish community at
acculturation and apathy — and threatening the
variance with basic tenets of Judaism?" Jews
bedrock of Jewish tradition for future genera-
marrying non-Jews is not the ideal. But con-
dons.
demning inclusivity is not the Jewish way. We
Shrage goes on to ask what I consider the most
should strive to help the non-Jew convert; our
important question facing American Jewry today:
faith makes no distinction between a born Jew
"Can we inhale the ideals of Washington,
and a converted Jew. Raising children as Jews
Jefferson, Adams and Lincoln, an American
should be a higher priority than trying to coax
vision of democracy and tolerance, along with
unwilling gentile parents to convert, however.
the best part of American civilization and culture; Dr. Lawren ce Rubin
Children with a Jewish heritage, but who are
integrate it with a sure and substantial under-
not Jewishly literate or involved, are unlikely
standing of our own Jewish cultural, intellectual
to pass Jewish beliefs and traditions on to the next genera-
and spiritual heritage; and exhale a new basis for Jewish life
tion.
that will deliver us safely to a new American Jewish future?"
• "How can information technology strengthen our com-
Simply, Shrage was asking if Jews in America still hold the
munity-building
capacity?" Like Dr. Rubin says, saying a
spiritual capacity to deepen their Jewishness.
Jew
is
"connected"
is more apt to mean linked to the World
overcome
what
Dr.
must
For our sake, I hope we do. We
Wide Web than to our communal world. So I echo his per-
Rubin calls "the vexing dilemma of an open society." The
spective that we must recalibrate our high-tech tools to facil-
future of American Jewry is at stake.
itate "Jewish learning, understanding and commitment to
community."
Veering O f f Course
• "What will be the lasting impact of Sept. 11 and the .
In outlining the newly unveiled American Jewish Agenda
current strife in the Mideast on the American Jewish rela-
Project, a promising two-year initiative to ultimately set new
.tionship with Israel?" The terrorist attacks here told
communal priorities, Dr. Rubin cited a range of communal
America that we're not immune to the terrorist calamities
hopes and fears — compelling parameters that each of us
in Israel. In turn, public advocacy for Israel has grown even
should ponder.
among non-Jews as America escalates its war on terrorism.
There's reason to be optimistic about the rise in Jewish day
Sadly, it took the latest Palestinian uprising to bring many
school attendance, Jewish service opportunities, and Jewish
younger Jews in this country closer to Israel. I pray these
adult and family education programs, says Dr.- Rubin, retired
ties grow stronger.
executive vice chair of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs.
In the final analysis, I think we as Jews can immerse
But, he says, we can't ignore "the long-term viability of a
ourselves in American society and culture without losing
meaningful Jewish community" here in America, given the
our grip on how we ought to live Jewishly. But to keep a
"shrinking numbers" of Jews who make up the population
tight grip, we've got to welcome Jewish values and customs
and who are a percentage of society.
in our everyday lives as Americans. That's the best barrier
He cites "high rates of intermarriage, declining synagogue
to full, and unforgiving, assimilation. ❑
attendance; shrinking federation campaigns, graying organiza-
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