The future is in our past who sings, in one of his songs, that it is not only words and stories that are passed down from generation to generation; rather, it’s the way we study, the Book we study, and the way we study “the way.” Adult learners become more involved with their synagogues, their education agencies, and their federations. They become role models for their friends, spouses, children and grandchildren. They promote inter-generational engagement and contribute to the building of a Jewish future. A few days after I delivered this speech in Washington, D.C., the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University published comments based on research conducted with Millennial children of intermarriage[3]. According to the 2013 Pew Research, 71 percent of non-Orthodox Jews are intermarried, so this topic is more than relevant. They found that going on Birthright trips, attending college courses on Jewish studies, and participating in on-campus Jewish groups all led to future Jewish engagement. What is most interesting is that the likelihood of young adults engaging in these programs and activities was higher for those who, growing up, had a strong relationship with Jewish grandparents. In other words, Jewish grandparents who shared Jewish experiences with their grandchildren greatly influenced the younger generation and were a predictor of future Jewish engagement. With all of the above in mind, I strongly urge Jewish organizations to invest in adult Jewish education, in order to offer learning opportunities
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for adults. How many Jews eat bacon or not is not a barometer of how vibrant our communities will be in the future, even if it is a headline that “sells.” But how many Jews experience spiritual peace is certainly an indicator of our success or failure. Jewish education nourishes the soul and allows for each one of us to find their own place in Judaism. When we discover how Judaism can enrich our lives, we are ready to pass that down to the next generations. In order to sustain and foster a spirited and dynamic Jewish community, we need to become actively involved in strengthening those who are the links in the chain of tradition. We must offer them opportunities to learn, we must facilitate inspiration and connection, and we must convey that Jewish living is an accessible reality that we cannot pass up. This is what the mission of any Jewish educator should be. [1] The full text of the research can be found at http://www.pewforum. org/files/2015/11/201.11.03_RLS_ II_full_report.pdf [2] The document can be found at http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/strategic-directions-for-jewish-life-acall-to-action/ [3] The complete report can be found athttp://www.brandeis.edu/ cmjs/pdfs/intermarriage/MillennialChildrenIntermarriage1.pdf Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is a Jewish educator with over 25 years experience. She holds a Master’s in Jewish Studies and a Doctorate in Jewish Education, and is the author of the Pillars of Judaism curriculum.
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