EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK Looking Within A merican Jewry is the largest, richest and best-organ- ized Jewish community in the world. But more than half of all U.S. Jews are weakly affiliated with Jewish communal life, and a decreasing number even identify as Jewish. That's alarming. This not-so-surprising finding should fan the flames of urgency in Jewish communities throughout America. At stake is American Jewish life not so much as it really is, but as we want it be. For too long, we've acknowledged the inroads of assimilation on Jewish identity and values, but haven't shown the collective desire to confront the forces of the three A's: acculturation, anti-Semitism and apathy. Bluntly put, we've not had the will to con- sider where we're headed and its impact on the American Jewish experience. That's partly because no single U.S. Jewish agency speaks for American Jewry; our high- est-level agencies either are casting about for ROBERT A. the right niche or overlapping and diluting SKLAR one another. Editor A new study by the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute spurred me to contempla- tion. Even the study's name was compelling: Between Thriving rate, migration beyond core Jewish areas, more deaths than births, less communal participation and a long-term trend of distancing from Israel, although this trend has been somewhat reversed by four years of Palestinian terror attacks on Israelis. "These trends are particularly prevalent among the young," the study finds. A 2004 special report issued by the UJC and based on the National Jewish Population Survey reinforces these trends. It found that 70 percent of American Jews ages 25-29, a key age range for formulating life values, "feel very positive about being Jewish" and 59 percent say they "have a clear sense of what being Jewish means to me." Only 45 percent "regard being Jewish as very important in life," however. The numbers go up only slightly for those older than 30. Both the Detroit Jewish News and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit are testing new concepts to attract younger Jews with some ties to organized Jewish life. The JN requires new, younger readers to assure long-term stability and growth. Federation requires new, younger givers so the Annual Campaign can meet increasing Jewish needs locally, nationally and around the world. New connections are bound to become stronger over time, culturally if not spiritually. Jumping Hurdles The institute study also cites in America the relatively high and Decline: The Jewish People 2004. cost of Jewish living and a declining membership in Jewish The study examines world Jewry, but the conclusion echoes institutions. The National Jewish Population Survey found as much in America as elsewhere: "The future of the Jewish that 60 percent of U.S. Jewish families don't belong to a syna- people is not assured, though there are great opportunities for gogue. Expenses include synagogue dues, JCC memberships, thriving. To succeed, large resources, judicious cop- day or synagogue school tuition, keeping ing with critical decisions and careful crafting of kosher, buying ritual items and giving to long-term, grand policies are needed." Jewish charities and causes. Scholarships and Sound familiar? other financial assistance ease some of the We've pondered exactly that here in metro cost. Detroit from our perspective within the national But the cost, coupled with the pressure to Jewish orbit. give, means families with limited income are The study affirms that 5.3 million Jews live in destined to stay outside organized Jewish life America, more than 2 percent of the total popula- unless we somehow relieve more of the bur- tion. It affirms that U.S. Jews have a strong infra- den. We can start by assessing why more structure of community outreach, political advoca- Jewish philanthropists have increased their cy, philanthropic giving and religious-oriented secular giving at the expense of Jewish needs. services — and that Jews are above the national But the study isn't all gloom. norm in education and income. It senses the beginnings of "a new, more Rabbi Isaa CS The study then gives an intriguing description individualized form of Jewish identity, con- of the tension that should absorb us, but hardly nection and expression." The upshot is poten- causes a ripple — our "crisis of comfort." tially deeper Jewish involvement, personally and communally. The study highlights how we've seamlessly adapted to, and The study calls for a cultural awakening that resonates for been accepted by, U.S. society, and how traditional Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s: tailored social programs, concerns, like Israel's security, have become incorporated into dating services, Internet groups, subsidized dues and class fees, national concerns. It takes pride in how many of us share in lower expectations for giving, relevant synagogue experiences. the American dream. Rabbi Judah Isaacs of Federation's Alliance for Jewish But this success comes at a high price: More Jews doubt the Education distilled the essence of my feelings when he said: need to be part of a distinctive ethnic community. "Changing "The centerpiece of Jewish life is education." demographic and social patterns both reflect and perpetuate In a conversation on Monday, he reinforced for me the this trend," the study finds. notion of lifelong learning — how at each stage we have more life experiences that shape what we know and learn, how new Tracking Trends insight into the same text is gleaned from continued study. The institute that undertook the study is new It was created Ultimately, the challenge is to make Jews of all ages and by the Jewish Agency for Israel and is based in Jerusalem. But backgrounds at ease enough to tap into the many broad- its findings are in sync with the National Jewish Population based, multi-layered opportunities to explore ancient text in Survey 2000-2001, a report funded by the United Jewish engaging ways that yield relevance for today. Communities (UJC), the New York-based umbrella for the As Rabbi Isaacs put it: "We have to be engaged in the North American network of Jewish federations. ancient text while involved in the modern world." The institute study dwells on Jewish America's high rate of Diverse and dispersed as we are, we must cling to the guid- assimilation that is underscored by a 54-percent out-marriage ance that binds us as a people: Torah. ❑ 271 WEST MAPLE DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM 248.258.0212 SUNDAY 12-5 MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-6 THURSDAY EVENINGS 'TIL 9 10/8 2004 5