Editor's Letter
Marc
Grappling With Continuity
T
he notion of Jewish cool, once deemed just a fad,
is now a buzzword for the organized Jewish com-
munity, struggling as it is to capture the attention of
single young adults who aren't religiously engaged.
"We are caught in a generational hex, knowing the tradi-
tional organizations we love are not engaging young Jews
despite our most steadfast support, yet
these new Jewish forms of organizing
are not in our vernacular and many
of us find them borderline uncom-
fortable," relates "The Continuity of
Discontinuity:' a new, landmark study
that examines how young Jews in
America create, organize and con-
nect their Jewish lives. It reveals that
20- and 30-somethings are seeking
innovative ways to express their Jewish
identity and are shaping new, more
segmented "communities" instead of
turning to the institutions that nurture Jewish life for their
parents.
The New York-based Andrea and Charles Bronfman
Philanthropies commissioned the May study by Professors
Steven Cohen of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and
Ari Kelman of the University of California at Davis. The report
makes a bold statement about the directions that unmarried
young Jews are going as alternatives to organized Jewish life.
The 50-page study flows from interviews with leaders from
organizations that represent fresh and engaging attempts to
provide Jewish experiences for North American
Jews younger than 35.
I found the choice of organizations intriguing:
• Ikar, a L.A.-based spiritual community that
vibrates with spirituality, learning, prayer and
social justice.
• Storahtelling, a national nonprofit musical
and dramatic company that promotes Jewish cul-
tural and Torah literacy through theater educa-
tion — a sort of living laboratory for embracing
text, tradition and ritual.
• JDub Records, which produces and presents new Jewish
music through events and concerts with wide appeal and that
help inspire moments of "community" if not more. Its biggest
find: Matisyahu, the Chasidic reggae singer.
• Guilt & Pleasure, a hip literary magazine for young, cul-
turally savvy Jews. The quarterly is designed to foster Jewish
issue-oriented "salon" communities around conversation.
What's At Stake
The study seems to say that the 10,000 Jewish-based family
foundations that represent $4 billion in charitable giving each
year in America must be risk takers and not routinely reject
funding what works even if we in the communal world do
not fully understand it. American Jewry will erode if we grow
complacent and fearful of daring opportunity. We must har-
ness the creative spirit and pursuit of our young people.
The study affirms that young adults are remaining single
longer and inventing communal outlets and projects built
from stones of tolerance, diversity, inclusion and individual-
ism. This inventive energy is in response to a lack of interest
in traditional family-oriented institutions.
"Mainstream institutions are oriented towards the simi-
larities within their communities — at the expense of the
individual;' said Charles Bronfman, who chairs the Bronfman
Philanthropies. "But 'The Continuity of Discontinuity' shows
us that, in fact, the only way to build community is to recog-
nize the need of the individual."
I disagree with the implication that mainstream-conceived
programs have proven a bust in attracting 20- and 30-some-
things. Some of Jewish Detroit's most successful young adult
mixers and social action initiatives have been synagogue or
organization pushed. Many of our institutions are trying hard
to attract a younger crowd while engaging their older core in
hopes of encouraging a seamless passage of the leadership
reins. That's not to say they all can't do more. Federation's new
Young Adult Division president, Brad "Bubba" Urdan, under-
scored that in our July 5 cover story "Young Guardians!'
The idea that our institutions act as barriers between Jews
and others also pales in the light of Jewish Detroit. Many
synagogues and organizations have nurtured genuinely coop-
erative programs with Christian groups. Some have stoked
dialogue with Muslim groups, but I'd beware that such talk,
important as it may seem to be, ultimately will ring hollow if
moderate Muslims at the same time don't convince radicals
within their midst to change the fundamental prism through
which they view Islam and the world.
Stepping Up
Still, Professor Cohen's conclusion pulsates for me: "For many
young adults, the traditional organizational culture of Jewish
life seems alien, if not alienating. The groups that are most
successful recognize and embrace this, and
focus on fostering and encouraging personal
expression. As a result, they are producing
communities of passion, commitment and
engagement!'
Federation, the JCC, synagogues, B'nai
B'rith, Hadassah, other community groups,
the IN: We're all looking for ways to stir the
Jewish soul of, and interlink with, the lost,
alienated generation that we know exists.
Those among us that have had some success
allow younger participants to express their needs and wants.
To think the younger generation will return home if we
leave them alone is naive at best. They won't just join the
mainstream — not in sizeable numbers. Says Professor
Kelman: "They're building new Jewish homes different from
the ones in which their elders lived and they're engaging with
their Jewishness on their terms!'
The study begs mainstream Jews to understand the new
reality before it's too late. We must decide what components
we can tap into, emotionally and strategically.
New forms of young adult mingling continue to sprout
— some ritually rooted, others culturally based. The study
argues that they all share the ability to rouse young audiences,
which is cause for an optimistic Jewish future. I hesitate to be
unconditionally hopeful, but I'm not distraught.
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Do we really hear young, disenfran-
chised Jews?
Are we ready to accept and invite real
change?
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July 19 • 2007
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