Jewish Challenges & Opportunities Across The Age Spectrum
11/22/2010
A few weeks ago, the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North American held its annual gathering in New Orleans, LA where two very interesting studies were discussed. The first study was a survey of about 2500 self-identified young Jewish community professionals. The study was conducted by Dr. Steven M. Cohen, who noted a number of interesting factors, including his confirmation that these young leaders demonstrate a much lower level of commitment to the “Jewish collective” and the idea of Jewish “peoplehood” than their parents and grandparents. ( http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/11/10/2741684/young-jewish-professionals-show-less-communal-attachment)
For synagogues and Jewish institutions in general, this means that we must work to engage this younger demographic in ways that are new and different. They are knowledgeable, committed, and caring Jews who do not seem to connect to the language of peoplehood , but do understand and connect to the deep meaning and purpose behind daily Jewish living. For more on this topic, check out this new program that is one of Synagogue 3000 Next Dor projects: http://www.synagogue3000.org/doing-jewish-stuff-experiment-called-nita
During the GA, there was also a discussion of the approaching retirement of 77 million baby boomers and the increased demand that they will place on the Jewish community’s infrastructure. While the vast majority (86%) support working through Jewish organizations, they are not committed to serving specifically Jewish causes. This is also not something that the Jewish community has prepared for as the Federation system and other communal structures have been putting much of their recent funding efforts into programs for the younger generations For more, check out: http://www.jboomers.org/ and the following survey entitled: “Baby Boomers, Public Service and Minority Communities: A Case Study of the Jewish Community in the United States ( http://bjpa.org/Publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=5154)
What is clear from these two findings is that we are living in very interesting times as American Jews. How we use this information, and whether or not we can use it towards our long term benefit is a question that will have to wait to be answered.
A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!