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Join the discussion on what actions would have the most positive effect on Jewish life.
The conversation began when five leading thinkers on the American Jewish scene today offered their suggestions during a recent CAJE seminar, "The Next Big Ideas in Jewish Life." The program was the opening event in CAJE’s “Day of Study and Celebration of Jewish Learning,” held on December 3 in New York in honor of retiring Executive Director Eliot Spack. Read their comments below and give us your idea by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cajediscussiongroup.
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Demographics
A “Common Judaism” and a delivery system that reaches adult Jews
Marketplace Judaism
Affordable education
Creating linkages
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Demographics
Rabbi Elliot Dorff Professor of Philosophy and Rector, University of Judaism, Los Angeles 
Given the demographic crisis among Jews, we must ensure there are Jews to educate.
The high education level, and consequent delay to having children, of American Jews is adversely affecting the fertility rate. We must encourage our children to attend universities where there are other Jews, not only to take advantage of Jewish studies programs, but also to raise the probability that they will meet and marry other Jews. We must also encourage them to begin to have children while still in graduate school. The older generation must help to ensure affordable day care in Jewish institutions and affordable tuition for day schools. That means, in some cases, having grandparents pay for Jewish education for their grandchildren. If we will put money into these areas, we will have a Jewish future. We also need to define an intelligent and feeling Judaism for the 21st century. We need to talk about what defines an intelligent and feeling Judaism for the 21st century. We are facing many issues – medically, socially and ethically. This means studying traditional texts, and seeing how they apply to today. |
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A “Common Judaism” and a delivery system that reaches adult Jews
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg President, Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation 
Michael Steinhardt proposes to develop a “Common Judaism” that encapsulates the core ideas and values within Judaism that have affected and enriched the world, embedded into a narrative that has Jews playing a role, and that speaks to Jews across all denominational lines. These ideas will speak to both religious and secular Jews.
The educational equivalent of a birthright israel also needs to be developed to be offered to all young married or young families. This would be a five-day program, where participating young adults (and older adults) would be exposed to a community of like-minded Jews and great teachers. They would experience the core values and ideas of “Common Judaism,” embedded in the narrative of the Jewish People. The program would be a gift of the Jewish People, as is birthright israel. |
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Marketplace Judaism
Dr. Bethamie Horowitz Research Director, Mandel Foundation 
Being Jewish is a conscious choice and one choice among many, when it comes to identity. It also is an upscale choice, attractive to many people, not just Jews. The deep integration between Jews and America and America life has changed not only Jewish life but also American life.
We need to develop “Marketplace Judaism” where we reach out to the marketplace, creating partnerships between excellent Jewish content and the general, non-Jewish, marketplace. This will attract Jews and non-Jews alike. We insiders need to offer Judaism within the broader marketplace. The journeys model implies there are places for people to enter; we need many portals. |
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Affordable education
Rabbi Jan Katzew Director of Life Long Learning, Union of Reform Judaism 
It costs too much to live a rich Jewish life, and, as a consequence, we are exacerbating the educational, cultural and Jewish gaps between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” We are currently creating more and more elite programs, rather than allowing people to have the access they want to EC programs, day schools, congregational schools, camps, adult ed, etc.
“Mishpat” is retributive justice, while “tzedekah” is distributive justice. We must focus on tzedekah, devoting 10% of our budgets to the institutions with the poorest resources. We do not have an affordability problem; there is enough money as a community to give every person who wants to learn a chance to do so in any kind of setting. Our behavior belies our rhetoric. Coalitions are needed to ensure that access is extended. |
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Creating linkages
Cyd Weissman New York Director, RE-IMAGINE Project 
In a time when most content is just a click away, the phrase "Life Long Learner" is holding us back. The goal for Jewish education is more than learning-it is Jewish living. The goal for our times is to support making meaning of Jewish teaching so learners can believe, belong and act. To do this, we have to bring down long established walls between learning and daily living; between Jewish professionals; between professionals and lay leaders; between what is taught and what is valued. Given time and support leaders and learners can create shared clear understanding of the educational experiences that are needed in our changing world. Working together vibrant communities, striving to live what they teach, can develop.
When walls come down, Oneness emerges. Making Oneness will move us forward. |
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