AJC Panel Examines Strategies For Jewish Continuity

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 14 May 1998

The always emotional and often contradictory strategies for securing Jewish identity and continuity continues to be debated at both dinner tables and the board tables of Jewish communal organizations. What should and should not, can and cannot be done in regard to the critical issues facing Jews today, including intermarriage, Jewish day schools, the role of Israel, and the culture of Jewish institutions?

Looking at the American Jewish community and offering their unique perspectives on enhancing Jewish identity and securing the Jewish future were Elliott Abrams, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of a newly-released book entitled "Faith or Fear;" and Dr. John Ruskay, Co-Chief Operating Officer of UJA Federation of New York. They made their remarks today at a session of the American Jewish Committee's 92nd Annual Meeting, taking place through Friday at the Capital Hilton Hotel. Mimi Alperin, chair of the Jewish Communal Affairs Commission, presided at the meeting.

Mr. Abrams noted that perhaps the best strategy for Jewish continuity is "the oldest one: Judaism itself. In the last fifty years," he said, "the American Jewish community has focused instead on 'civil Judaism,' activities conducted mostly in public in secular Jewish organizations." While these activities are critical to Jewish life, strengthening a sense of peoplehood and of responsibility for one another, "they are not enough," he added. "We can see from the dire statistics that Jewish civic activity, and even causes like commemorating the Holocaust and supporting Israel, have not inspired enough American Jews to marry Jews, raise their children as Jews, and remain faithful to their religion."

The problem, Mr. Abrams stressed, is that "we have had it backwards: Jewish civic activity does not keep people Jewish or even explain to them why they should want to remain Jews. But faithfulness to the religion of Judaism does inspire support for Israel, charitable giving and activity, and community activism."

Turning specifically to the issue of Jewish education, Mr. Abrams commented that Jewish day schools, Hebrew or Sunday schools and Jewish education at the adult level are "critical" to Jewish identity and continuity. "And so is practice," he said, "for Judaism is a religion that lives in our actions and not just in our thoughts. In the end, only Judaism -- the religion -- can explain to American Jews, and to our children, why they should care about staying Jewish.

"The task ahead," he concluded, "is to refocus our activities as individual Jews and as a community, putting Judaism back at the center."

Dr. Ruskay commented that American Jews today find themselves living in "the most generous and accepting society," adding that multiple strategies should be employed to ensure positive Jewish identification.

"First, building on the recognition of the abiding power of day schools, summer camps, and Israel experience programs, cost barriers must be reduced and other efforts undertaken so that far larger segments of American Jews can participate in these 'soul searching' or transformational experiences.

"Second, efforts must be undertaken to strengthen the community's ability to recruit, prepare, and retain the 'best and brightest' as rabbis, teachers, educators, and Jewish communal professionals.

"Third, key gateway institutions such as synagogues, Hillel, and community centers must be strengthened to successfully serve the Jewish community."

Dr. Ruskay concluded that the most beneficial strategy may be one which focuses on those individuals who are already engaged with Jewish life in one way or another, particularly within synagogues.

"Seventy percent of American Jews are members of synagogues at one point in their lives. While there are synagogues that are breathtaking in their magnetic power to transmit the richness of Jewish life and our tradition, the larger truth is that many, if not most, appear to be incapable of responding to the growing hunger of Jews for community and spiritual engagement. This presents an extraordinary opportunity."

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