From Our Executive Director
When I was a General Manager for
Westfield Malls, our biggest threat was
online shopping. Each year, the numbers of
people shopping from home, sipping coffee
while sitting in their pajamas, grew larger
and larger. There were articles published
about the death of the suburban shopping
mall; what was its relevance anymore? As
we struggled to define what made a mall
different and still relevant, we realized
that the one thing that an online shopping
site cannot provide is a social gathering
with shared experiences; in other words,
relationships.
Recently, the Pew Research Center released
its results from the first major survey of
American Jews in more than a decade.
The results were startling, and some even
predictable. Increasing numbers of Jews
are not religious, remain unaffiliated with
a synagogue, and feel totally assimilated
into an accepting American society. Of
particular concern is that this assimilation
grows with younger Jews, especially those
born after 1980, of whom 32% say they
have “no religion.”
Reform Judaism is the strongest of
the denominations, with 40% of Jews
identifying as Reform. But of these, only
34% belong to a synagogue. Only 16% say
that religion is very important to them,
while 40% feel religion is “somewhat
important.” 25% of Jews do not believe in
G-D, and 34% said you could still be Jewish
if you believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
The report compares these results to
the overall American population, which
similarly shuns religious affiliation. The
good news is that some beliefs and values
of Jews today remain solid: 1) social justice
is of primary importance; 2) support for
Israel is strong; and 3) most Jews are simply
proud to be Jewish.
As I reviewed these results, I began to think
once again about what makes a synagogue
relevant, as I once thought about what
made a mall relevant. The answer is
remarkably similar – it’s about engaging
with other people, and especially with
other Jews.
Temple Chai was prescient when it decided
to embark on the Hineini initiative this
year. In putting social justice and acts of
loving-kindness at the forefront of our
programming, the temple was responding
to the demand of Jews who want to “make
a difference” by working for justice and
equality.
Years ago, Temple
Chai began its strong
affiliation with Israel,
which continues
to be supported
through a multitude
of opportunities such
as membership in
ARZA, our bi-annual congregational trips
to the Holy Land, Ta’am scholarships, and
even our recent sponsorship of the Israeli
Film Festival, and visit from Asher Naim,
the Israeli Ambassador.
But what are we doing to appeal to your
sense of Jewish pride? What can we do
better? We offer many opportunities for
Jews to come together…on Shabbat, at
programs and events and outings, at study
sessions, during our OSRUI Family Retreat,
and even for coffee and bagels on Sunday
mornings and onegs with wine and cheese
on Friday nights. Yet the engagement of
our entire temple community could be
much stronger.
In competing with our total assimilation
into American society, we can easily forget
the sense of belonging one gets when
being with other Jews.
Dr. Ron Wolfson in
his book, Relational
Judaism, states that
synagogues need to
“offer meaning and
purpose, belonging
and blessing.” I’m
hard-pressed to think
of other places that
can offer all of these
under “one roof ” other
than your synagogue,
our community that is
Temple Chai.
Deb Mattes,
Executive Director
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