Editor's Letter O'D C111 A Conservative Approach E very once in a while, a synagogue program comes along that is daring enough in purpose, broad enough in scope and strong enough in resonance to raise the bar. Within the Conservative movement, Congregation Shaarey Zedek's new young leadership development program is such a program. We'll see just how effective the pro- gram is. The early interactions among participants must stand the rigors of time. Still, I like the odds. The Oakland County-based syna- gogue hopes to develop a lasting young leaders pool. The historic congregation is working hard to change within a movement striving to redefine itself. The Initiative's long-range goal is obvi- ous: Young leaders will help attract young members who want more for their dues than a house of worship; they want a vibrant center for Jewish family life. Shaarey Zedek's youthful clergy provide a proactive baseline for young leadership. Any time one of our local synagogues rattles the cage of change involving how it interacts with young adults, my ears perk up. With the flight of so many of our 20- and 30-some- things to more inviting urban hotspots around the country, I'm eager to hear about the newest local ideas for engaging those who remain or return. The Beginnings Shaarey Zedek's Young Leaders Initiative took root this sum- mer with a 36-hour trip to Jewish New York. The travelers were 21 emerging leaders hooked on enriching their Jewish identity and embracing the chance to learn and ultimately lead. It's a group with boundless leadership potential and a commitment to Conservative Judaism — a buoyant combina- tion for Metro Detroit's oldest ConservatiVe congregation. New York was the chosen destination because of its rich Jewish history going back to our immigrant forebears. What better way to shape our future than to build on our past? Even a cursory look at the aging tenement buildings gives pause to a future generation of Jewish leaders who grew up with abun- dant opportunity. Against the time demands of secular and Jewish life in a largely Christian society, a synagogue has no future if it doesn't nurture future religious leaders long before they're needed. When I asked Shaarey Zedek Rabbi Joey Krakoff what prompted the Initiative, he responded, "Because it seems to me that there is so often a vacuum in synagogue leadership as a whole, especially in the realm of young leadership." I doubt that his Metro Detroit rabbinic colleagues, whatever their Torah observance level, would contest that assessment. But make no mistake about it: Rabbi Krakoff is focused on helping young Conservative Jews appreciate who they are so they can spread that good feeling about Judaism. What he's doing is a national model of sorts given that the Initiative is unique among Conservative synagogues in the U.S. The Initiative's crack coordinating team includes con- gregants Pamela Applebaum, Joel Jacob and Casey Long and program director Tobye Bello in addition to the clergy. The afterglow of the Big Apple had hardly dimmed when that team's young adult recruits, all handpicked for their work ethic and moxie, got to work over the High Holidays. In the process, they raised $15,000 for Mazon: The Jewish Response to Hunger and for Israeli hunger relief. A yearlong slate of Initiative activities and programs is under way. It stresses substanCe over just getting together. I like the mix of experiencing Greater Detroit and synagogue leadership building. For example, the group will help plan the congregation's Souperbowl Soup Kitchen in February and weeklong shelter for homeless people in April. Fittingly, the Initiative will culminate with a visit to Israel to reinforce con- nections to the Jewish state. The business of teaching about Conservative Judaism can't be overstated. This is a movement pinched on both sides by the growing Reform and Orthodox streams. To stand pat is to invite continued decline. "The only way to revitalize the movement locally and nationally:' Rabbi Krakoff told me candidly, "is for our future leaders to be schooled in Conservative Jewish Rabbi Joey Krakoff theology and thought." He's right: The young adult influence will do more to grow the movement than anything else. That's one reason so many communal organizations with aging membership rolls, including Federation, are doing young adult outreach in dramatic ways. Changing Times Jews age 35 or younger belong to synagogues at a much higher rate in Metro Detroit than elsewhere: a whopping 57 percent. Yet only 28 percent of local affiliated Jews say they are Conservative, according to Federation's 2005 population sur- vey. What's more, young Jews are increasingly plugging into salons, which may meet in coffeehouses, and chavurot, which may meet in homes. So Conservative synagogues have to fight harder than ever to make their case. Yes, it's too soon to brand the Young Leaders Initiative a sterling success; the best of intentions can yield fleeting results. But I give the Shaarey Zedek rabbis a lot of credit for responding to wise congregants who understand the impact young leadership can have on the vibrancy of their shul. I hope rabbis and lay leaders in other synagogues, whatever their affiliation, pick up on the Initiative or at least a varia- tion. Sustenance for any synagogue demands the ability to develop homegrown leaders ready to step in and step up to the challenge of drawing down the median age of the mem- bership. Related coverage: page 21 0 : How should the Conservative movement reposition itself? ta Z z 5 0 0- a. Is your synagogue doing enough to engage young people? • Share your passions and interests with someone JARC serves... computers, exercise, music, baking, etc. • Join other volunteers at fun, social activities with people JARC serves • Share Shabbat and celebrate holidays at a JARC home Especially for teens: • Help at a monthly game night • Join teens JARC serves for a Sunday Movie Mania Club V o lta t teep a iA k e, Jac Helping People with Disabilities Be lnduded in Their Community — All Through Their Lives — Call Alissa at (248) 538-6610 x349 wwwjarc.org 116. , 3/0 November 23 • 2006 5