A Language from page A76 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008 17 — a weaker tie to Jewish community. This individual sees Judaism as a path to personal fulfillment and a source of human wisdom. To be Jewish in the 21st century for them means to share Jewish wisdom with the broadest possible audience — Jewish and non-Jewish — wherever that audience resides: locally, nationally or glob- ally. We'll call this group "personal- ists" because while they by no means negate Jewish community, their quest for personal meaning for themselves and others takes greater precedence than Jewish communal concerns. P.M. COACH INSIGNIA, DETROIT Join Michigan's only three Master Sommeliers for an unparalleled evening of rare and exquisite wines paired with a gourmet strolling dinner designed by the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group and Co-Chaired by Debbie and Michael Berger and Julia and Carl Camden. "THIS RARE WINE DINNER HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED WINE TASTING EVENTS OF THE YEAR." — Chuck Bennett, Detroit News, July 2007 Tickets: $500/$1,000 per person Higher level ticket includes private pre-glow wine tasting with one of our wine masters or event chairs and an overnight room at a downtown Detroit hotel. Contact Louise Rallis at (313) 874-6138 or e-mail LRallisl@hfhs.org for information. 1436710 The Entire Staff at mBank wish our friends, clients and relatives a Healthy and Happy New Year. 260 East Brown Street Suite 300 Birmingham, MI 48009 Phone: 248-290-5900 A78 September 25 • 2008 JISI Is Unity Possible? Sadly, it is unlikely that placing a new lens on communal definitions will enable greater collaboration with "tribalists," although that is not a reason to write them out of the Jewish community. But a rethinking of categories can more effectively unite "covenantalist" and "personalist" Jews around all kinds of causes, unlike existing categories of "secular" ver- sus "religious;' or "Orthodox" versus "Reform" (or some other denomina- tion) that exercise polarizing effects. The deplorable allegations against Agriprocessors, the kosher meat pro- cessing plant in Postville, Iowa, illus- trate how an issue of importance to the Jewish community like kashrut can degenerate into a denomination- al dispute when approached through standard denominational categories. For example, the situation is viewed in some circles as a Conservative versus Orthodox family feud because the Conservative movement is sponsoring the move behind ethical kashrut known as heksher tzedek, while many elements of Orthodoxy are skeptical of the Conservatives' motives. Conversely, the situation shows how redefining communal categories could potentially garner a broader consensus. Those who care about the mitzvah of kashrut being prac- ticed correctly from a legal point of view, those who are also concerned about ethical dimensions of kosher slaughter, and those who care about the human dignity of the immigrant workers could all potentially unite under one umbrella around this issue. Covenantalists — includ- ing Jews who identify as Conservative, Modern Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, Independent, etc. — could work together with personalists around the ethics of humane treatment of animals. Secular and religious Jews also could find common cause around the abuse of immigrant workers. Those involved in Jewish grass-roots social justice groups who may be covenantalists or per- sonalists could enter the conversa- tion as well. Coalition Building This reshuffling of Jews into broader categories focuses more on their rela- tionship to community and less on their particular religious practice or belief. It, therefore, creates the poten- tial for new coalitions around impor- tant issues and new ways to relate to one another on a daily basis that labeling by denominational affiliation alone does not allow. New categories can promote fresh thinking about issues, sensible col- laboration and vibrant partnerships. In contrast, when sitting around "the table" grouped by denomina- tion, a specter of past ideological battles and competition for current resources appear. This diminishes the opportunity for larger thinking and action. The reality of denominations as a way of religious organizing will remain for the foreseeable future. Denominations as a way of religious organizing help to sharpen theol- ogy and fine-tune religious practice these are its virtues. Its primary vices are the potential for triumpha- lism and exclusion, neither of which the Jewish community can afford. That is why we need to supplement our current way of viewing corn- munity, reframing the alignment of active Jews to help promote greater inclusiveness. Thinking in these new terms can provide another lens through which we can analyze issues, expand oppor- tunities for working together and relate to one another with greater appreciation and respect for what we can each offer the other in the coming new year. In 5769, let's create more inclusive categories to describe ourselves so that we can fight less and work more on the many complex issues that we face as a community. ❑ Rabbi Hayim Herring is executive director of STAR - Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal.