I haven’t spoken to Brett since Thanksgiving and finally tonight we hung out again. Brett mind you, is one of my very best friends, since I was a short, fat little nerd, running around in coke bottle glasses. Tonight we did our holiday shopping for the important people in our lives and caught up…BIG TIME. It was a fantastic evening and Brett really helped me iron out some of my frustrations that I expressed last night as well as re-address some issues we discussed during Rosh Hoshanah.
See, we both looked around Beth Hillel synagogue in October while those around us chatted, slept, and maybe even prayed during the holiest series of all Jewish holdays (next to Shabbat of course). I don’t blame any of the talkers and sleepers for their actions, as I can’t deny our participation these activities, but the issue I am concerned with is why this is happening.
Brett told me about a recent show on VH1 called So Jewtastic! exploring Jewish contributions to pop culture. It was a great showing discussing the work of Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen, Adam Brody, Natalie Portman (just to name a few), all Jewish persons viewed by the public eye. And now, with the work of such artists as Matisyahu, and a new band called The Leevees (started by Guster’s own Adam), Brett and VH1 concur that it is “cool” to be Jewish.
So why are more Jews not coming to synagogue, except for the High Holidays, and then, barely paying attention while they are there?
Ever since I started college in the Fall of 2002, I have returned every year for High Holiday services. At school I attend weekly Shabbat Services and have recreated a Hillel that was dormant on campus. Yet, I have never heard a single word from my synagogue. Not a “Hey, how’s it going? Can we help you with any of your Jewish needs while you are away?” or even, “Way to go, way to keep your faith.” This concerns me, not for selfish reasons, but for reasons of survival of the religious aspects of Judaism. College students today, along with their younger peers are the future of Judaism, yet synagogues (some…not all) have no idea how to cater to their needs. They have lost complete touch with the youth while trying to maintain their aging membership. I have complete respect for the elders at my and all synagogues, but they must all realize that to preserve Judaism, as they all must hope, they must attract, not scare away the younger generations.
I cannot say I have all the answers, but there are a few I think I can offer.
There must be other college students that feel as I do, and want to make a difference. In fact, I know there are, because I interact and speak with them everyday at school and at home. First off, make these students feel welcome at all the synagogues, whether it be the ones near the universities they attend, or the one’s they left when they headed for college. Ask them for opinions on what would attract their generation to synagogue. Use them to teach Hebrew school kids. I know that I could have related to college students during Sunday Hebrew High School in a different and maybe better way than I related to the teachers I had (mind you, this is no insult to them, they all did a wonderful job).
Let the synagogue youth groups (USY, NFTY, Young Judaea, etc) be more than just a bunch of kids doing Jewish things together. Have them participate in the High Holiday service, let them be a part of the synagogues future.
I agree that a synagogue should never compromise religion, just for membership and money, but it can cetainly enhance the religious experience by catering to a wider audience. USY services were always an exciting and participatory experience for me. The services at the synagogues I have attended always seem to alienate the congregants so they naturally progress towards talking and sleeping. Use familiar tunes as well as exciting and up beat new tunes. Maintain some of the old, for the Jewish religion and people survive on its vibrant history, but let some of the new in. Personally, synagogue choirs for the High Holidays make me feel like I am at church, not at synagogue. For me services were all a group thing, where everyone felt the desire to participate. Bring that same feeling back.
Judaism will continue whether my opinions and ideas are correct or not. Us Jews have a funny way of surviving any disaster, even those of our own creation. I just thing we can do more than just survive, we can be a light unto the nations as Someone very importatnt once told us we would be.
Jerusalem you take me high make me fly like arrow in the sky – Matisyahu
#1 by Eric Goldman on December 30, 2005 - 1:46 am
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I agree. Luckily, my synagouge sends care packages for Rosh Hashana, Chanukah, and Passover each year to us at school.
I think Hillel should also start a massive inter-college shul-hopping (if that isn’t already on the calendar) to increase our exposure to different customs and to reinvigerate the spirits of the local synagouges.
My Hebrew High back home regularly recruits local Jewish college students to teach and be youth group advisors.
I think in general, American Judaism is in a transitional mode. The reform movement is slowly dying out due to many factors. The United Synagouge recently decreed that all of its members synagouges should be egalitarian. Change is in the air, soon we will be the leaders, rabbis, sisterhood, mensclub, the “elders”. We will make a change.
In my opinon, gentile interest in our culture will not be the resurgence factor. It is the building and strenghtening of the community. This is what is most important about our religion, a common, bonding identity. A group that not only prays, but learns, and has fun together.
Judaism is very focused on relationships and the community- look at any life cycle event- Briss, shiva minyons- it is all about the community. From within we all must yearn to be part of something, to identify with others, hopefully the synagouge will bind us together, and our communities will grow stronger and more supportive.
See you back at school hombre.